12ga versus 20ga Shotgun - How Do You Choose? | Gun Talk

Does the 20ga have a tighter pattern than the 12ga?

I prefer 20 gauge. It's still powerful with less recoil, cheaper reloads than the 12, and since I prefer a double-barreled shotgun, it keeps the weapon lighter for hunting.

I'm trying to drop an 8 point living near my house

I look at 12 v. 20 similarly to how I view standard v. automatic transmission. Learn on a 20, then the 12 will be easy.

If the pursuit is for bird hunting where extended trips on foot are required, especially in rolling-to-hilly terrain, I prefer the 20 due to it being about a pound lighter. It makes a huge difference. To mitigate for less pellets I opt for 3-inch shells, which is roughly equivalent to a 12 in 2-3/4 inch shell. If waterfowling, I opt for the 12 in 3-1/2 inch for typical scenarios. If in green timber where the ducks are dropping in at close range, I opt for 2-3/4 inch or even a 20 in 2-3/4 inch.

I prefer the 20 gauge. I use a Beretta 390 and a Rem 1187 both in 20 gauge. I have not noticed a significant difference in game killing power using 20 gauge. To me the 3" 20 is about equivalent to 3/4" 12 gauge. The recoil on the 20 is less and is a faster handling gun. I also have rifled slug barrels for my 20 gauge shotguns. I have no issue using a 20 gauge slug barrel for deer or hogs. 20 gauge for me.

Great explanation on 20 verses 12 gauge

20 gauge for everything. If you can’t kill a goose with a 20 gauge then quit sky busting.

i use 20 gauge for basically everything. waterfowl hunting is where the 12 gauge shines. you are using large shot so the larger bore diameter is a plus.

Set aside the fantasy dreams of home defense and playing tactical tight t-shirt bearded tough guy.
In the real world of us putting meat on the table, we couldn’t care less about how a shotgun looks. It’s only a freakin shotgun, not arm candy for the range. Get any $150 pawn shop special. Ain’t no accuracy issues with a shotgun. A 12 for a few duck shots, a 20 for all-day long shooting at doves. Your shoulder will thank you. But buy one with screw in choke tubes. Never underestimate a super-spreader skeet choke for clays and doves.

I have two Stevens shotguns. One in 12 ga and the other in 20 ga. Both are identical in weight and dimensions. And while there are downloaded ammo availabl3 in 12 ga for less recoil, you don't have the option of increasing the 20 ga to 12 ga power. Also, 12 ga stuff is more readily available on the market than 20 ga stuff. So what is the advantage of a 20 ga?

How bout the camo finish. Don't it wear off where you hold it after a while.?? Would kinda suck to pay an arm & a leg for a dam shotgun & it wear off in 5yrs or sooner where your hands touch it

Why not both. the SBE3 shoots high but you can get used to it. The M2 in 20 hasn't had the same issue so you almost to have to put a mental note on the SBE3 if you pull it out to go hunt that you need to aim low.

As a 14 year old waterfowl hunter I’ve shot both and like both during dove season I killed the game I shot the nose doves out of the group for all days with the 20 . And then duck season came I would switch between 12 and 20 for every other day. And then my grandfather who’s been hunting waterfowl for 50 or so years told me to do a weekend hunt and see between the 2 what I shot beat with and it was the 12 guage shooting 3 in 1 1/4 oz number 2 shot. And I used that for better half of the season and loved it until I started to pick that 20 back up and the first day I did I killed a banded pintail so I shot the 20 for the rest of the season and I showed the people in our group up with shooting and I was shooting between a Kent 3 in 1 oz number 2 that’s a 15–20 % bismuth load and a boss 3 in 1 1/8 oz number 4s and loved them always had a full choke in Ik some people say 12 is better for shooting long range well there wrong u can shoot the same distance but have to take a good shot. I personally always liked 20 guage in timber cause so much smoother and light to swing and also liked it in the feilds but I liked 12 as well in feild but overall I say stick with 1 gun 1 choke tube 1 ammo brand and shot size .

I went 20 gauge. I wanted to be surgical with. Very precise and follow up shot are way easier in my opinion.

When thugs come crashing thru your front door you get a rush of adrenaline enabling you to have more strength to fight hence, recoil is not a factor as your focus is on stopping the threat. Anyone can tolerate several shots of 12 gauge in order to save your life. With muscle building of the arms you can learn to handle 12g. Use the Federal 3 inch shell with 15 pellets of #00 as it will kill the beast. Get tough or die!!

I choose 20 gauge for slug hunting in a slug barrel

I have a mix of loaded shotguns for home defense, two 12, two 20.. I eventually plan to put away the 20-ga, and replace both of them with 12-ga Federal shorty.

This is merely my opinion... Unless you are a very very small framed person or have issues with recoil a 12 gauge definitely seems like it's the way to go. The only 20 gauge I've ever owned in my life is something that's a bit of an antique and it was left to me by a relative. Aside from that it's 12 gauge across the board. So many different types of ammunition out there for shotguns these days. But what it boils down to in the end is personal opinion and ability. Whatever your choice may be... Just be safe.

If you want less recoil get the half shells (for sure research which shoties do better with these specific shells). Thanks for the video!

In the words of the great enabler - why not both?