12 and 20 gauge kill ranges

[oldhammy1]

I have a Mossberg 12 Gauge, and a youth NEF 20 gauge. I mostly hunt dove, quail, and an occasional rabbit. It seems that with a standard 7.5 shot field load, my max kill range (modified choke) is about 35 yards. What I don't have a feel for is how that changes as I increase the potency of my rounds. For instance, how will that range change if I go to a magnum 2 3/4 load, a 3 or 3 inch magnum load, or a 3 1/2 regular or magnum load. Also, does using the 3 and 3 1/2" loads get the shot out that much further, or does it just propel more shout out to a similar location. Will these basic rules apply to both 20 and 12 gauge? This is all assuming the same shot size. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Oldhammy1

 

[mete]

Bigger shells or 'magnums ' in shotshells are not for more velocity but for more shot.Since shot is round it has poor ballistic performance and slows down rapidly. To get better range you go to larger shot size and the larger shot charges in magnums permit good patterns.

 

[kudu]

It's all give and take with shot charges. A 7/8oz charge form a 20ga and a 1 1/8oz charge from a 12 ga will deliver roughly the same pattern out of the same choke, with the same velocity if standard loads. The pattern board is your friend. As you go up to maggie numb shells sometimes the velocity goes up or the payload goes up. A standard load runs about 1200fps with an 1 1/8oz 12ga load. You can get magnum loads up to 1 3/8oz to 1 1/2oz of lead in the same shell, but the velocity usually stays the same, just give you a denser pattern. The worst of it is you have recoil as a side-effect.

Many times you can get premium shells that will have a bit more shot and velocity and actually work because they have hard shot loaded. Premium Pigeon Load target shells. Usually are 1 1/4oz at 1300fps. Harder shot makes tighter patterns and will deform less on hitting the game, thus, will give you better range. Heavy target loads of any kind generally pattern better than the promo shells because of the premium components used.

Also, does using the 3 and 3 1/2" loads get the shot out that much further, or does it just propel more shout out to a similar location.

It just throws more shot out.

Velocity gives you more range, but if you can't keep the pattern together to make a killing shot, it does you no good.

 

[HSMITH]

The one and only key to extending effective range with shotshells is larger pellets. They carry more energy downrange and kill better. You soon hit a point that bigger pellet loads don't contain enough pellets to maintain a pattern dense enough to kill, that is where the magnum loads come in as well as the longer shells. Recoil is the downside as kudu mentioned, the limit on recoil is very personal so there really isn't a rule there.

Long shells with lots of big shot have the potential to be effective at ranges where shorter shells and/or shells with smaller shot simply are not effective.

 

[oldhammy1]

I think I'm getting there.....

So it sounds like the only advantage to shooting 3.5 inchers over 3 inchers is the amount of shot. Will magnums have more powder, and therefore more speed as it leaves the barrel, or does that relate to the size and amount of the shot? I guess I need to take a shotgun load 101 class to understand all the weights, drams, and stuff. Anyone want to take a stab at it for me?
i.e.- What loads are ideal for dove, quail, rabbit, turkey, etc at maximum ranges?

 

[TrapperReady]

I won't address the rest, as others have already done so, but for your specific question about critters, here are my thoughts:

Assuming a 12ga and lead shot (2 3/4" for all) -

Dove - #7.5 shot (preferably a 1 oz. target load - either Rem STS or Win AA)
Quail - Haven't shot 'em, but the above should get the job done well.
Rabbit - I like my pheasant load - 1 1/4 oz of hard #5, going FAST.
Turkey - The pheasant load will work, but #4 in a 3" may be even better.

FWIW, my pheasant shells are almost always my own reloads, and with tighter chokes, I've been able to get kills out further than I should... but I also practice a lot and know my limits. Last week I dropped a pheasant right around 60 yards, after hitting it solidly with both of the shots I fired. My hunting partner passed on the shot, since he knew it was out of his range. I took the shot because it was similar to ones I've practiced a lot on clays, and I knew the shells would work. HINT: It was flying away, but quartering left to right. If I hadn't had a clear view of the head, I would have held my fire.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Magnum rifle and handgun cartridges send a standard weight bullet out at faster velocities. Magnum shotgun shells send heavier charges of shot out at the same or even less speed.

It takes some experience to know what is your effective range. A good rule of thumb is if it looks like it might be out of range, it is. When we try to stretch a shot on live game, critters suffer needlessly. No ethical hunter wants that.

A modern trap load loaded with 7 1/2s works well on stuff under 2 lbs and inside 30 yards. Even wild ringnecks(3 lbs) up close.

For bigger stuff, use bigger pellets, then more pellets. You want a density that will put 3-5 pellets in the vitals, or 3 properly sized pellets into every 2 square inches of target.

I recommend reading the 101 threads in the Archives, lots of info.....

 

[oldhammy1]

Thanks

Thanks for all the great info. I at least have a better feel for the basics now, and I think I will be an all around better hunter for it.

Oldhammy

 

[dfaugh]

Personally

I've always hunted with a 20 gauge, as its lighter for traipsing through the fields all day (even 1 lb. make a difference on a long day)...And, I have yet to have to pass up a shot, on upland game, because the range was too long...(Waterfowl might be different story)...Shooting trap I can pretty much keep up with any one, and most all of my shots are at ranges of less than 30 yards, where the 20 guage is plenty effective. Some will disagree but i think the 20 is the ideal for upland game...YMMV

 

[TrapperReady]

dfaugh - The 20ga is great for most upland game. In fact, in most situations, it's great for ALL upland game. The only place I might take exception is with regards to ringnecks. Although I appreciate the lighter weight of the 20ga, I'll typically go for a 12ga (or sometimes a 16ga).

The main reason is that the birds can be tough... I've seen pheasants absorb staggering hits (scalping a hunk of their back), and still fly a bit and run after landing. The other reason is that I personally feel limited by the 20ga in open terrain. I practice my shooting a lot and know I can make shots past (sometimes well past) 40 yards. I also know that my handloads are capable of killing cleanly out to the maximum range of my shooting comfort. With a 20ga, I consider 35 yards about my max, with 40 OK under certain conditions.

On grouse, doves, woodcocks, etc... however, the 20ga is awesome. The only reason I don't use one more is because I have too many other choices. In fact, although I've got a couple, the 20ga shotguns are the ones which get out of the safe least often.

Maybe it's time to let them out and play.