The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Shotguns => Topic started by: Conagher 45 on November 10, 2011, 07:36:19 PM
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It looks like I can afford a new shotgun for Chirstmas for myself this year. Local Wally-Mart has camo 11-87's for $627.00 in 12 and 20 ga. I already have an O/U in 12 ga. and and 870 in 12 ga. and a 870 in 20 ga. I am leaning towards the 11-87 in 20 ga. I think it would be a soft shooting gun that I would be willing to shoot more rounds of sporting clays with.
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Get the 12, why handicap yourself with a 20,(as far as sporting clays/other shotgun sports)also, the 20 will be a lighter gun so felt recoil will be higher due to the longer shot string in the smaller barrel.I have/had 1100's in both 12 and 20, the 12 is softer shooting to me.
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Well if I stick with12 ga. I can use the same Rem-Chokes as my 870 12 ga. Just thought an Auto 20 would be light to carry in the field. It always seemed that my 870 20 ga. shot softer than my 870 12 ga.
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I did a side by side comparison of the Winchester Low Recoil 00Buck 2 3/4" 9 pellet Ranger stuff,......right next to good ol' Federal 2 3/4" 00Buck we all know and love....
One shot, followed by one shot. There is a very noticeable difference between the two. The target however, showed the same damage. Sorta splitting hairs....
If it were me, I would stick with the 12 and get the low recoil stuff. However,
Do you have young kids that are going to shoot it?
Is this going to be just for clays? Or is hunting/SD a possibility?
You already have a nice bunch of scatterguns, and Bass Pro, Cabela's, Gander Mtn., etc,... sell these nifty shooting shirts with padding, on the shoulder in the latest Fall colors.... ::)
The 20g is a fine balance between effectiveness, purpose, and somewhat reduced kick. But, I'd stick with the 12 in a semi version, but YMMV....
Keep us posted and Good Shooting.
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Having several 12's already I just thought of deversifing a little bit. Besides I can always find a good used 1100 12 ga. later and sneak it into the safe before my wife sees it. ;D
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Oh sh*t , I just remembered that there is a 20 ga. bolt action Mossberg in my wife's closet that belonged to her Grandfather. :o I put it there when we brought it home from her Mom's house. That will be one to hand down to our Grandson in 10 years or so.
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You can get the 12 and download it with 20 gauge equiv. loads.
These I've used on trap targets from the 25 yard line. Fun stuff....and they do cycle my 11-87.
http://www.winchester.com/Products/shotshell-ammunition/winlite-low-recoil/low-recoil-low-noise-target-load/Pages/default.aspx
If I was getting a 20ga it would have two barrels. ;D But I can't get a good one for anywhere near the Wally World price for that 11-87.
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My "image" of a 20 gauge semi is illegal.
Seems ideal to cut the barrel at the end of the magazine and put a pistol grip only stock on it.
Perfect Trench Coat gun...light one handed...
The first gun that was 'mine' was a 3 shot Mossberg 20 gauge bolt action.....did all my rabbit hunting with it. Very nimble. Still have it. Need to find a set of chokes for it as the originals have gotten lost.
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My first long gun was the bolt action Mossberg, mine was a 410. ;D
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My first was a Monkey Wards, Western Field 20 Ga pump.
It served it's purpose with the exception of a stubborn pheasant or tree rat! I'd never hunt goose with it but with 3" magnums, it performed well.
A friends 12 year old son adopted it about thirty years ago!
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If you read the ballistics on the ammunition you find that the power of a 20 ga is almost that of a 12 ga. However, with shot shells you sacrifice numbers in the patter. As was noted before, 20 ga guns are lighter, and this translates to more felt recoil. Many parents and coaches will recommend 20 ga over 12 ga for young shooters and then beat them up so bad they never want to shoot again.
Take advantage of the wider selection of both guns and ammunition in the 12 ga, enjoy the cheaper ammunition for the 12 ga, learn to shoot it well, and never regret that you have enough gun for any game you hunt with a shotgun. If you get excellent at your sport or hunt you can always downsize to a 20 ga or .410, but there is no reason to start out that way.
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If you're already shooting 12 ga you just introduce confusion into your ammo and range supplies.
I don't see it being worth the additional hassle.
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If you read the ballistics on the ammunition you find that the power of a 20 ga is almost that of a 12 ga. However, with shot shells you sacrifice numbers in the patter. As was noted before, 20 ga guns are lighter, and this translates to more felt recoil. Many parents and coaches will recommend 20 ga over 12 ga for young shooters and then beat them up so bad they never want to shoot again.
Take advantage of the wider selection of both guns and ammunition in the 12 ga, enjoy the cheaper ammunition for the 12 ga, learn to shoot it well, and never regret that you have enough gun for any game you hunt with a shotgun. If you get excellent at your sport or hunt you can always downsize to a 20 ga or .410, but there is no reason to start out that way.
+1 m58, although a 20 can put 4 .40 cal balls downrange at over 1200 FPS, its no slouch as a SD gun. The 12 is much more versatile.
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Ok ,, 11-87 in 12 ga. and next year when the wife ant looken ,,, used Remington 1100 in 20 ga. ;D
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Answered the same question in another forum and some smartass fragged me. ;D I would stick with the 12 since it is more popular, easier to find and cheaper. Yes, recoil is slightly less on the 20, but if you have a good recoil pad, a 12 will be fine. In the time of need, recoil need not apply when it comes to life or death...
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Answered the same question in another forum and some smartass fragged me. ;D I would stick with the 12 since it is more popular, easier to find and cheaper. Yes, recoil is slightly less on the 20, but if you have a good recoil pad, a 12 will be fine. In the time of need, recoil need not apply when it comes to life or death...
I agree with your statement, but I will address one thing: Recoil - Using loads match to the task most people will report less felt recoil from a 12 ga. When shooting a load that designed for the task in 20 ga. and 12 ga. there will be slightly less actual recoil from the 20, but the added mass of the 12 absorbs or resists (the old theory that an object at rest wants to remain at rest thing) enough recoil.
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If the recoil of a 12 gauge is a problem you can get reduced recoil loads. AFAIK they don't make any in 20 gauge.
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If the recoil of a 12 gauge is a problem you can get reduced recoil loads. AFAIK they don't make any in 20 gauge.
The felt reduced recoil of Winchester Ranger RR OOBuck 9 pellet, is very noticeable compared to standard 12g OO. If used in an SD situation, you probably won't even notice.
Plus, should "something" happen to the gun/ammo laws, having a common more readily available caliber, like the 12g, will help, even if its bird shot.
20g will be like finding 16g today,....sure its around,....but not everywhere, and more expensive.
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+1 on 16 gauge. My father has a single shot 16 gauge. Bought him some ammo last year and it cost a fortune. Plus it is hard to find unless you order online.
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My local walmart sells 12 or 20 gauge 4 box packs for $23.75, cann't reload them for that cheap of price. I still think that I shoot my 20 gauge better that I do my 12 gauges. I am going to try harder this year with my 12 gauge over and under but the 11-87 is still nagging me every time I shoot one. There has to be the difference in the 7/8 oz. vs. the 1 1/8 load. I can load 7/8 oz for the 12 gauge but lead shot has jumped in price and then buying 7/8 loads for 12 ga. is kind of pricey, $64.99 per case. Maybe 26 years as a LEO has something to do with sucking a pump gun and trying to switch to an O/U has some thing ingrained in me too. The 870's have a different hold to them as compaired to an O/U shotgun and and 11-87 or 1100 are closer to the 870 feel and hold, or is this all in my head ? (Damn the little voices.) ;D
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The lighter shot load will generate less felt recoil because it is pushing less weight forward, so it will not push back as hard.
The Semi auto will always generate less recoil than an O/U, SXS or pump with the same load since some of the recoil is absorbed by the action .