12 or 20 for Upland Game

[dak0ta]

Hi,

I'm torn between a 12 Ga SxS or 20 Ga Ithaca 37 for upland. Which would be better for grouse and pheasants? The SxS is fixed choke Mod and IC.

Would the 12 ga using target loads destroy too much meat? And how much less shot does the 20 ga have than the 12 ga?

 

[desidog]

Generally speaking, for targets use a target load, and for hunting use a hunting load.

You can get 12ga loads with 7/8 oz of lead, just like the weight a 20ga. throws; but you can also get an 1 1/8oz load, which won't fit in a 20- so I'd say a 12 is more versatile.

Both gun types you mention have inherent issues, the pump you have to pump (making follow up shots a little longer) and the SxS is off-axis making it just a tad tougher to hit with consistently than an over/under. I'd recommend you consider a O/U, as the vast majority of hunters and sport shooters these days prefer them (and use them more effectively) than a SxS.

That being said, in a few years, hopefully you'll have all three types, in many variations...

 

[rbernie]

The Ithaca 20ga 37 was absolutely MADE for upland birds.....

 

[336A]

This is just my preference but I'd go with the Ithaca as I'm kinda partial to the M37. Oh and there are 20GA shot shells available with 1 1/8 oz of shot
http://www.federalpremium.com/products/details/shotshell.aspx?id=226

 

[oneounceload]

I prefer a SxS 20 gauge of the two bore sizes, but I would REALLY prefer a 28..........

You need to get the gun that FITS you the best while wearing whatever clothing you would wear while using this

 

[dak0ta]

Are 3'' 20 ga shells unnecessary?

How about the 12 ga Ithaca M37? And how about the Browning BPS in 20 ga? Is it as heavy as the 12 ga?

 

[Hunterdad]

I've been shooting 12ga at upland for years. The only bird that was inedible was a chukar that surprised me and I shot it at about 8ft.

I'll vote for the 12ga. It's hard to beat its versitility.

 

[rule303]

The 12 will not damage any more meat given the same choke/distance/shot size. The 20 doesn't really give up any performance vs the 12 on Pheasant and smaller birds at reasonable distances. I have no qualms shooting upland birds with a 20 or 28ga. The only time I use the 12 on Pheasants anymore is late in the season when the birds are wary and will flush at 30+ yards, or when hunting WPA's where steel shot is required.
The BPS is a nice gun, but they are heavy and handle totally different than an Ithaca 37. The 37 featherlight in 20ga would be a great gun if you plan on doing a lot of walking.

 

[bannockburn]

An old plain barrel 20 gauge Model 37 was the first shotgun I ever used on upland game. Its was light weight (which was a good thing because we walked a lot), came on target quick, and just handled great. I still like to use a pump action in a 20 gauge with a short barrel vent rib set-up whenever I go hunting upland birds.

 

[dak0ta]

For a pump, what length barrel is good? 26? or shorter?

I see that Mossberg has some affordable options in 20.

 

[rule303]

Barrel length is mostly personal preference. 26" is pretty standard for a 20ga. Shorter barrels are nice for point shooting, like in the grouse woods while a longer barrel swings more smoothly on crossing targets. Anything from 24-28" will work for the majority of situations.

 

[MathurinKerbouchard]

Pick the gun that fits you best. I've shot pheasants and grouse with both 12s and 20s. Either gauge is enough gun. So choose the gun that fits the best, because it will handle best and increase your chance of success.

 

[OptimusPrime]

I've been carrying and shooting Mossbergs in 20 and 12 for about 27 years now. Very affordable, which is probably why I got my start with them. Great guns and very reliable and will do you well for birds, ducks, deer, clays, whatever.
My recommendation is definitely with the 12. It provides more shot and better range, slam dunk arguments for me.

 

[dak0ta]

I have 2 12 ga pumps in a Wingmaster and Mossberg, I suppose I'm looking for a upland niche gun and a loaner for friends that are starting out and don't want the recoil.

 

[sixgunner455]

Then, obviously, get a twenty. My only shotgun is a 20 (older Spanish SxS), and I don't feel like I'm giving up anything valuable besides recoil and weight by not having a 12 instead.

That said, I've seen a dove detonate from the impact of a 16. I suppose it's possible that the same range shot from a 20 would have done similar damage, and definitely 12 would have. It caught me by surprise coming in close from right to left, I got on it and fired before I even thought about it, and a cloud of feathers was the result. biggest part the dog found was a wing. I'd been shooting my 20 all day, killed a good number of birds, but ran out of shells and grabbed the backup 16 from the truck. Once I got used to it, I liked it quite well, too. Killed with authority. I'd never seen a bird blow up before, though.

 

[dak0ta]

Also, I hear about 20 ga guns being built on a 12 ga frame, but it's better when the manufacture actually builds the 20 on its own frame.

Which pumps out there are built on a 20 ga frame? Ithaca, Browning, Mossberg. Remington is built on a 12?

Another option is my 870 Wingmaster with a 30'' fixed full choke barrel, no vent rib. It's a dream to handle and swings nicely. If I were to open up the constriction should I open it up to IC or Modified for upland/informal clays? Or better yet, open to Skeet II/Light Modified for a happy inbetween?

Also, on average how much would this cost and would this hurt value a lot?

 

[Archaic Weapon]

I honestly am voting SxS over pump. Both gauges should be fine. Find out which gun is the better swinger, and I'll place my money on that one.

 

[vincyr]

I prefer a 20Ga over a 12Ga for just about all applications, its only shortcoming is the variety and availability of ammo. Manufacturers just don't make the variety of loads in 20Ga that they do in 12Ga, and retailers don't usually carry much more than the basics in 20Ga. Despite that, I have always felt that the 20Ga was capable of doing anything that a 12Ga could, with less weight and gentler recoil.

Also, I don't think you could go wrong with an Ithaca 37, regardless of bore size. Excellent guns(my dad has three: two 12s, and one 16... and he is always looking for a 20 to round out the group)

 

[Ruezim]

870 barrel

Most larger gun stores sell replacement barrels for the 870 with choke tubes. It's way you get to keep the original barrel. I believe they run about 100-200 not sure exact got mine as a gift.

I would also go with the 20ga since you have two 12ga already and you are getting to so new hunters also lighter and less recoil is better.

Ruezim

 

[Mobuck]

I carried a 12 SxS(24" IMP CYL & IMP MOD) for many years hunting quail and pheasants. There are lighter choices but I wanted the instant choice of choke/load depending on what flew next. The guys hunting with me using their 12 gauge pump and semiauto guns either couldn't make a killing shot on pheasants with light loads or ripped quail to shreds with the heavy pheasant loads.
I don't have any birds to hunt now but when I go to a game farm, I use a 28 guage SxS. The pen raised birds just don't require the heavier long range loads as do wild birds.

 

[farm23]

I have more than one of each, but for birds I use my old 20ga Ithaca pump with a cuts compensator. I am looking for an over/under 28 but haven't seen one I like.

 

[huntsman]

Hi,

I'm torn between a 12 Ga SxS or 20 Ga Ithaca 37 for upland. Which would be better for grouse and pheasants? The SxS is fixed choke Mod and IC.

Would the 12 ga using target loads destroy too much meat? And how much less shot does the 20 ga have than the 12 ga?

after hunting upland birds for 20 years with a SXS that's my default platform, the only caveat is the gun has to weight less than 7-1/2 lbs. Your concerns about the 12 can be controlled by shotshell selection.

 

[madwell]

Split the difference and get a 16ga......

Just kidding I use the same gun a 12ga beretta 391 for everything so I voted 12, but I did start out with a 20ga 870 and every once in a while I use my 16ga ithaca 37.

For upland 12 or 20 are about equal in my book but the guys I hunt with all use 12ga so I do to in case I need to borrow ammo.

 

[publiuss]

16

 

[oneounceload]

a SXS that's my default platform, the only caveat is the gun has to weight less than 7-1/2 lbs

You must be a body builder!..
Seriously, I prefer a 12 to weigh about 6#-12oz, a 20 to weigh between 6# and 6#-4oz, and a 28 to weigh right at 6#