20 gauge for deer

[SJB]

I would be interested in opinions on the effectiveness of the 20 gauge slug on whitetail deer. I have a skinny young nephew that needs a deer slug-gun and  the Tracker II seems perfect. But , I've heard negative things on the 20 when used as a slug gun.Mainly ,that it isn't powerful enough.A 12 gauge would be way to much for him.Any personal experiences? Thanks

[ccoorreeyy]

A 20ga slug out to around 100+ yards will drop a deer faster than a 30-06 will.  The Tracker II is a great gun.
corey

[PHATINJUN]

I never have understood why people make that claim 20ga has plenty of power. Kurt

[3s3k]

 

The 20ga is more than adequate on deer out to 125yds once you find the proper sabot for your particular

gun.I have used a 20ga for numerous years and each and every year it brings home the bacon .GL

[FLNT4EVR]

I used a 12 ga for most of my life and it was a fine deer killer. That being said, 2 yrs ago I purchased one of the last Tracker 1 barrels for my NEF 20 ga. and it kills them just as dead ,is a lot lighter to carry all day,and recoils less. I'm staying with the 20 for deer from now on.

[SHOOTALL]

I have used a 210 savage for a few years now and love it . but in the woods ( thick cover ) it can be alot to deal with . Add the scope and snap shots don't happen easy . So i got a 20 ga. 870 slug gun last season , shot a 7 pointer at 40 yards and just like with the 12 ga 210 - the deer fell dead at the shot . Its lighter and faster than the bolt gun . The 210 is my stand gun now . In the right gun with the right slug either 12 or 20 could be 200 yard guns .
shame some company dosen't come up with a 18 ga.  high pressure gun that sends slugs out to 300 yards + with good accy. and powder !

[plumberroy]

 
gun.I have used a 20ga for numerous years and each and every year it brings home the bacon .GL

Works on hogs too Does it? LOL
Roy
I just couldn't resist

[d_hiker]

My 20ga USH loves the Remington BuckHammers.  My buck last year was shot at 110 yds with no problems.  I would need to practice at a longer range before I took a shot, not because of the 20ga, but just to make sure I knew where they would be hitting.  Seeing what it did at 110 yds  , I wouldn't hesitate shooting at 150 yds. 

[jrkrk]

Dhiker did you notice any leading in your barrel after shooting the buckhammers?  How many rounds did you shoot? My USH loves them too.

[olduvai george]

I have shot 4 medium, 100 lb.  whitetails at 20-40 yards with the 20 Ga. 5/8 oz. Remington slugger  in an 870 express smoothbore in the last few years. I had turkey sights on the rib and the gun would hold 3" @ 50 yards. Instant kills . I liked it so much I got one of the Pardner 20's with camo and have set it up with a scope and a rifled choke. I will soon sight it in too for the coming season. Be aware that slug cartridge accuracy sometimes deteriorates with time. Over 3 years old, use the shells for general sighting in or non critical shooting if shooting shows deterioration in accuracy. George

[SJB]

Thanks for all the great comments. It's settled , he's getting a 20 gauge Tracker II.

[d_hiker]

Dhiker did you notice any leading in your barrel after shooting the buckhammers?  How many rounds did you shoot? My USH loves them too.

I didn't notice any lead fouling.  I had shoot maybe 25 other lead slugs (cheapies) and then 10 BuckHammers.  It was still shooting tight at 100 yds so I left it dirty until after my one shot during deer season.  Actually after sighting it in, I did run a couple of dry patches through the bore to make sure there wasn't any loose powder in there.

[ironglow]

  My Dad used 20 ga Ithaca smoothbores all his life...and collected plenty of venison. Until the last couple years, I used H&R 12 ga
 deer guns...now that I am older (and hopefully wiser) I don't know why, 20 would have killed them just as dead (IMO). My area of
  the state has switched to rifle, so now it's Marlin 30/30 or NEF in .308...

[Lazermule]

From the time I first took to the field deer hunting at 8 years old, until I bought my first deer rifle when I was 18 years old, I used an old Ithaca "Super Single" 20 ga that my dad bought for me and my brothers used for $15.  Never any real long shots that I remember as it only had a single bead, but I never remember anything walking away from it.  More than enough power for whitetails, and probably even black bear.

I do remember as a young kid that it did kick like a mule with a 3" slug as the gun weighed very little.

I may cut the barrel down on it now and have it tapped for scope mounts for my kids to use.

LAZER

[whiskytangofoxtrot]

If I could do it over, I would probably get a 20 instead of the 12 USH.  I came to this conclusion after shooting 6 boxes of slugs sighting in the gun.  1000 ft lbs of energy is more than enough to kill a deer.  A 2 3/4" 20 gauge slug can deliver this much energy out to 150 yards.  Few hunters spend enough time shooting to even consider taking a 150 yard shot.   I think ego makes some people choose the 12 gauge. 

[gary bartlow]

Several years ago i would have never even let the thought of using a 20ga. for deer cross my mind.I bought a 20 USH this past summer and i'll never look back.Granted I have not got the chance to use the gun yet but my 10 year old has killed 2 with it both dead in their tracks.

[carbineman]

In our family we have 5 of these, all Tracker II's in 20 ga.

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[Lon371]

Nope it aint enough, especially in a Ultra slug 20.

Lonny

[jrfrmn]

 
                                   
Bacon! What kind of deer do you have?
 Do they have pork chops to?                           
                         
 

The 20ga is more than adequate on deer out to 125yds once you find the proper sabot for your particular

gun.I have used a 20ga for numerous years and each and every year it brings home the bacon .GL