I’ll bite, what’s a 20 Mag?
A 3 inch 20. They call them magnums.
I’ll bite, what’s a 20 Mag?
Shot patterns are the result of shot column dimensions and shot size. Brister and others showed that shot columns (using lead pellets) that are reasonably equal in width and height are the ones that pattern most effectively on moving game; shot clouds that are thin (e.g. 12ga 7/8oz) or tall (20ga 1 1/8oz) tend not to work as well as more 'balanced' loads. This is why, historically, 16ga 1oz was credited for killing better than it's payload stats would suggest.If shotguns were invented today would a smaller diameter shell like the 20 gauge be the primary option with something like the 12 gauge being the ultra magnum option only used for high geese and long long range turkeys?
Just wanted to make sure, Back in the day when the Auto-5 and 1100 were about the only game in town if you wanted a semi, I heard that term a bunch. Now that all new production 20 gauge semi’s shoot 3” shells with a couple of exceptions, I don’t ever hear the term used anymore.A 3 inch 20. They call them magnums.
Just wanted to make sure, Back in the day when the Auto-5 and 1100 were about the only game in town if you wanted a semi, I heard that term a bunch. Now that all new production 20 gauge semi’s shoot 3” shells with a couple of exceptions, I don’t ever hear the term used anymore.
I’ll bite, what’s a 20 Mag?
This is often stated and is for the most part true. Especially true when waterfowl hunting. But for general upland and field hunting I think it's a stretch to make this statement. Pick up the average 12ga. and then a 20ga. and tell me which one you'd rather be carrying all day? If we put macho aside I'll bet that the 20ga. would win 9 times out of 10. Especially if your getting older. And to top that off you can fit a lot more 20ga. ammo in your pockets.The 20ga is certainly versatile but anything it can do the 12ga can do a little better.
Just a minor quibble, but hit probability on passing shots will go up if there is some reasonable distance from the front of the shot cloud to the back of the shot cloud, since the pattern 'smear' helps compensate for over-lead and such things. But yes, it is also true that too much smear will thin the pattern and reduce effective coverage at range. That's why 'square' payloads seem to work so well; they seem to provide a good compromise between shot cloud depth and pellet density.You want all of the pellets to be pretty close together from the front of the pattern to the rear so they all arrive at the same time.
There is a LOT of overlap in the weight of the shot charges possible in both 12 and 20 as well as velocity. I can get 3/4oz loads up to 1 1/4 oz loads in either gauge and shoot them to the same speeds.
My Dad and I loaded a mean 1 1/2 oz. of #5 Lubaloy shot with the WW Red wad and Blue Dot powder, that put many a duck and pheasant on our table.Just to liven things up, there are also "Short Magnums" with heavier shot charges in 2 3/4" shells. They usually give up some velocity to standard or magnum shells.
Only those who can't shoot would pick a 16 first; good choice for second place, but a 28 is still king of panache, svelteness and ability - especially with some of the new ammo types with TSS etc.16 would still be the best gauge.
Well, most any 20ga carries easier and shoots easier than its 12ga brethren. If you hunt afield, that matters a fair bit, and it's probably worth giving up some pellet count. If your definition of shotgunning doesn't include walking around all day with a shotgun, I can see how you might not value that.It comes down to this though: there's not a single thing the 20 does better than the 12.
Well, most any 20ga carries easier and shoots easier than its 12ga brethren. If you hunt afield, that matters a fair bit, and it's probably worth giving up some pellet count. If your definition of shotgunning doesn't include walking around all day with a shotgun, I can see how you might not appreciate that.
Well, most any 20ga carries easier and shoots easier than its 12ga brethren. If you hunt afield, that matters a fair bit, and it's probably worth giving up some pellet count. If your definition of shotgunning doesn't include walking around all day with a shotgun, I can see how you might not value that.
My HD shotgun is a Benelli M2 21" 12ga. My go-to field gun is a Benelli 26" 20ga (and I wish that I could find a 24" barrel for it).
You can keep tilting at this, but any blanket statement that a 12ga shotgun is always better than a subgauge simply shows a lack of experience at using shotguns. Smaller gauges absolutely sacrifice payload, and in turn get either lower recoil or lighter weight (or some combination of both) and commonly get a better shot pattern to boot (more useful shot cloud shape). There is no free lunch, and chucking 1 1/4+oz of lead isn't always needed and comes with compromises of its own.Carries easier means lighter weight which negates the shooting easier bit.
A 12ga doesn't necessarily have any more 'power' than a subgauge - it has more payload.Having considerably more power and shot cannot be made up for
Ha! Well played! Of course, it's possible that they would get the same pass as they did in 1934, but who's to say?If shotguns were invented in 2021, they would be illegal as anything over .50 bore size would be a destructive device
Who carries a shotgun with a sling outside of waterfowling? (I never did there, either.) Especially upland bird hunting. They'd be in the next county before you unslung. I carry my pheasant guns at port arms. I've got several birds others didn't even get a shot at becuase they were carrying them cradled in one arm.Now in a carry handgun this would be a huge difference but thrown over your shoulder? We are talking a wider strap for the same comfort.
You can keep tilting at this, but any blanket statement that a 12ga shotgun is always better than a subgauge simply shows a lack of experience at using shotguns. Smaller gauges absolutely sacrifice payload, and in turn get either lower recoil or lighter weight (or some combination of both) and commonly get a better shot pattern to boot (more useful shot cloud shape). There is no free lunch, and chucking 1 1/4+oz of lead isn't always needed and comes with compromises of its own.
A 12ga doesn't necessarily have any more 'power' than a subgauge - it has more payload.
Ha! Well played! Of course, it's possible that they would get the same pass as they did in 1934, but who's to say?
Who carries a shotgun with a sling outside of waterfowling? (I never did there, either.) Especially upland bird hunting. They'd be in the next county before you unslung. I carry my pheasant guns at port arms. I've got several birds others didn't even get a shot at becuase they were carrying them cradled in one arm.
Iuvat forte paratus.