Please settle a dispute. 12 vs 20ga

[beavis]

A buddy and I were having a bit of a disagreement and I need some expert shotgunners to settle it.  We were arguing over pattern size and effective range of a 12ga vs a 20 ga.  My buddy's position was a 12ga shoots a larger pattern for a given range and similar choke and that the effective killing range of 12ga will be longer than that of a 20 as is has a larger shot charge and more powder behind it.  

I seem to recall as a kid being told  by wise old father to get the lighter and more user friendly 20ga and that the pattern size and effective range was pretty darn similar between the two and that the 12ga pattern would only be denser within the pattern than the 20 but not necessarily larger or more effective at longer ranges.
And that if you found the best patterned load for the game you were after the 20 would be just as effective as the 12.  Being a kid, I of course got the bigger 12 and walked around with bigger bruises on my shoulder instead of listening to dad but that's what youth do.

so which is it, anyone have the diffinative answer on this one?

[myronman3]

i have made long shots with a 12 gauge; and even longer shots with a 20.  if you are a good shot,  it aint going to matter a lick.  

there is no real question that a 12 has more killing power.

[mjbgalt]

it has more killing power but how dead do you need 'em? mine just need to be dead enough to clean and eat em. i dont need em more dead than that so i use a 20.

if i wanted em deader and my shoulder to hurt i would use a 12.
 

-Matt

[NONYA]

They dont make a 3 1/2" shell for a 20 guage that alone gives the 12 increased range and shotload making it more deadly at a longer range than the 20

[jh45gun]

I read somewhere that a 12 will shoot 5 yards farther than a 20, but who knows shot size I would bet has a lot to do with it too. All I use is a 12 and a buddy and I were out one day and saw a bird that he figured was out of range and that we could not get no closer so I flushed it and shot it as he figured his 20 would not reach as well. Moot point if they are within a reasonalbe range.

[dukkillr]

12 has more killing power at range but you can get a lucky pellet in the head with a .410

anyone who thinks the 20 is more deadly doesn't understand guns.

[varmit_master]

the 12ga will. VM

[George Foster]

beavis,

Pattern is a function of the choke in the gun not the gauge.  A modified choke for instance should put 60% of its shotload into a 30" circle at 40yds no matter whether it is a 12ga or 20ga.  A 12ga will be able to theoretically kill game at longer range than a 20ga because of the extra shot in the shell but you have to be a good enough shooter to take advantage of it.  As for pattern density lets say you are using a 1oz load in a 20ga and a 1-18oz load in the 12ga.  If you are using #7-1/2s you have 350 pellets in the 20ga and 392 pellets in the 12ga.  Think about what the difference in density is going to be in a 30" circle with the extra 42 pellets.

The bottom line is your father gave you excellent advice and was absolutely correct in what he said.  The only real advantage for the 12ga in my opinion is for hunting ducks and geese.

[George Foster]

What I meant to and failed to mention before, the reason the 12ga is a better gauge for longer range shooting is because you can use a heavier pay load in it.  That is why I consider it best for ducks, geese, turkey and also if you are going to do a lot of late season pheasant hunting.  For 99% of your upland hunting I consider the 20ga to be the best because of lighter weight and the fact that 1oz of shot is plenty.

[Questor]

It all comes down to this: 20 gauge is a 30 to 35 yard gun, depending on chokes. 12 gauge is a 40 to 45 yard gun, likewise depending on chokes.  

The reason the 20 is so popular with some is that it's an easier gun to carry. They are more petite and those who walk a lot in the grouse woods appreciate this.

[victorcharlie]

I've hunted rabbits over dogs for years, and can tell no difference other than weight between the 20 and the 12 gauge.  There are pro's who shoot skeet just as good with a 20 as with a 12.........Yes, the 12 has an edge especially in the duck blind with heavy loads......but for my style of hunting the difference in power isn't enough to worry about versus the additional weight of the gun and ammo.....I think most new shooters will shoot better with the 20.........JMHO......

[Graybeard]

Pattern SIZE is NOT determined by gauge. It is determined primarily by choke and distance from barrel.

Pattern density is determined by choke and amount of shot the gun is spitting out along with shot size. True a larger bore will generally speaking throw a more dense patter with same weight of shot then a smaller gauge due to less bore scrub.

[TCBrian]

No doubt that a 12 gauge is more powerful. Simple Mass times velocity, given the shot size is the same. Most of my 20 gauge loads are 1oz at 1220FPS, my favorite 12 gauge load is 1 1/8 oz at 1400FPS. Obivously the 12 gauge is more powerful.

Now if you tell a dove or quail that he is better off being hit with 5 pellets at 1000fps compared to 4 pellets at 950, I am thinking that he may argue with you if he was not dead!

Both guages are excellent and I highly prefer my light smooth swinging 20 gauge. For big birds or long distance clay shooting, I of course go with the 12 gauge to get the higher velocity and more pellets in the pattern.

As far as choke goes, a full is a full is a full. Gauge does not matter. You of course have more pellets in that pattern with a heavier shot charge though. The smaller gauges also tend to string out the pattern more, which can actually make it easier to hit a crossing target.

Chukar opens tommorow and I will be using my 12 gauge, because I will be using #6 shot and the shots tend to be long and going donwnhill. My wife will be using a 20gauge with hot 1oz loads and the chukar probably wont know the difference. I just feel more confident with a little more shot and velocity.

Good shooting,
Brian