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Author Topic: 20 gauge or 410?  (Read 1800 times)

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Offline oberhaz

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20 gauge or 410?
« on: March 29, 2011, 01:29:16 AM »
Recently I was given a rabbit dog. He's a good hunter. I currently don't have a shotgun & I don't have a lot to spend, so I've been thinking about a Pardner or a Topper.

I like the idea of the 410. It's light & should be plenty for rabbits & other small game. However, I'd like to have a shotgun I can go turkey hunting with.

I've already concluded that a 410 is too small for turkeys (please correct me if I am wrong).

Now, is the 20 plenty? I know many prefer the 12 gauge for turkeys. Most Pardners & Toppers I've seen on line come with a fixed modified choke. Will that work for turkey?

Also, will it work for deer hunting in a pinch? I've got rifles so it wouldn't be my primary gun.

Thanks in advance.
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Offline mechanic

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Re: 20 gauge or 410?
« Reply #1 on: March 29, 2011, 02:03:21 AM »
Find one with a 3" chamber for turkey and it makes a good all around shotgun.  Low recoil for birds and rabbits, and with turkey loads in 3",  about the same as a 12 with shorter shells.

Ben
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Offline bobg

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Re: 20 gauge or 410?
« Reply #2 on: March 29, 2011, 02:36:45 AM »
  I think mechanic said it all. Forget the 410. Not one thing wrong with a 3" chambered 20 with a modified choke.
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Offline bowtech302

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Re: 20 gauge or 410?
« Reply #3 on: March 29, 2011, 04:41:11 AM »
They make the 20 with full choke as well. Better choice if turkeys are an option.
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Offline darkgael

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Re: 20 gauge or 410?
« Reply #4 on: March 29, 2011, 08:03:46 AM »
As much as I am fond of the .410, and I am, the 20 is a better choice if you have only one gun. More shot in the pattern is not a bad thing. There are more different loads for the 20 gauge and ammo for the 20, in general, is less money than for the .410.
Modified choke for general use and nearer rather than further turkeys. You can, however, get an H&R Pardner 20 gauge with screw-in chokes and be able to match the choke to the task.

Pete
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Offline dks7895

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Re: 20 gauge or 410?
« Reply #5 on: March 29, 2011, 09:57:28 AM »
20 gauge is the best balance.

+1 on the screw in chokes
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Offline mcwoodduck

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Re: 20 gauge or 410?
« Reply #6 on: March 29, 2011, 10:51:29 AM »
20 ga hands down.
The 410 is a professions gun for wing shooting.
More options for loaded shells and at a lot better prices in 20 ga.
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Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: 20 gauge or 410?
« Reply #7 on: March 29, 2011, 11:44:35 AM »
If cash is an issue the 20 shells are cheaper. If killing rabits is the issue then 20 because it has a more useful pattern. In the hands of a well discplined expert a 410 is ok but the average guy wants to kill rabits not set up and wait for the perfect shot .
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Offline joeyant

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Re: 20 gauge or 410?
« Reply #8 on: March 29, 2011, 03:47:21 PM »
Definitely the 20 gauge!
I got lucky because I found a private party seller who sold me an unused Handi rifle with a .223 bull barrel, a 12 ga barrel, and an illuminated rangefinder scope for $120.

I then bought 20 and 410 barrels off GBO classifieds here.

I went to our local gun store and I found a used 20 ga single shot for 79.99. That is not much more than what I paid for single barrels. Once you have your 20 ga, just save some money and check the classifieds often and you may snatch yourself a 410 or a 12 barrel so you can have a "complete" set like I do.
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Offline Swampman

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Re: 20 gauge or 410?
« Reply #9 on: March 29, 2011, 04:29:05 PM »
IMO the .410 really isn't good for anything.  Get the 20 gauge.
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Offline Markus

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Re: 20 gauge or 410?
« Reply #10 on: March 29, 2011, 05:28:50 PM »
Buck, bird, or bunny, twenty is plenty!
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Offline Doublebass73

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Re: 20 gauge or 410?
« Reply #11 on: March 29, 2011, 05:32:25 PM »
No brainer - 20!
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Offline JRW209

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Re: 20 gauge or 410?
« Reply #12 on: March 30, 2011, 05:48:50 AM »
20.
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Offline gcrank1

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Re: 20 gauge or 410?
« Reply #13 on: March 30, 2011, 06:47:07 AM »
Im REALLY likeing my lightweight 20's with 7/8oz. loads of 7 1/2 or 6's.
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Offline goldhound56

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Re: 20 gauge or 410?
« Reply #14 on: March 30, 2011, 11:08:59 AM »
Have you looked at the 28 ga. ?
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Offline c1skout

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Re: 20 gauge or 410?
« Reply #15 on: March 30, 2011, 12:14:11 PM »
The 20 will be lighter than the 410 also.
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Offline oberhaz

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Re: 20 gauge or 410?
« Reply #16 on: March 30, 2011, 02:02:18 PM »
Thanks to all of you for your replies. The 20 gauge sounds like the way to go.

However, I guess a 28 gauge sounds go to. I'm not very familiar with them. Can you get slugs & turkey loads in 28 gauge? Guess I need to do some research.

Thanks again,
                Jim
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Offline mcwoodduck

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Re: 20 gauge or 410?
« Reply #17 on: March 30, 2011, 02:25:42 PM »
Quote from: oberhaz on March 30, 2011, 02:02:18 PM
Thanks to all of you for your replies. The 20 gauge sounds like the way to go.

However, I guess a 28 gauge sounds go to. I'm not very familiar with them. Can you get slugs & turkey loads in 28 gauge? Guess I need to do some research.

Thanks again,
                Jim
The 20 Ga pushes 7/8 of and ounce 1150 FPS
 the 28 Ga pushes 5/8 of and ounce 1175 FPS at 1.5x the price.
The 20 ga is .615 hole
the 28Ga is .54 Hole.
the guns weight the same and unles you are recoil sensitive.
Reloading the 28 will be cheaper in the long run, if you shoot sporting clays everyweekend.
Other than that.... the cost of the hulls, the reloader and the componets will cost you all the 20 Wallmart ammo you are going to ever use hunting rabbits.
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