20 Gauge

About 20 Gauge

20 gauge is the sensible answer more often than its reputation as a beginner's gauge suggests. It throws about three quarters the payload of 12 gauge with meaningfully less recoil, and modern 3-inch 20 gauge loads do everything most hunters actually ask of a shotgun.

Guns built on true 20-gauge frames are lighter and quicker handling, which matters over a long day walking. Where 12 gauge keeps a real advantage is heavy waterfowl loads, large buckshot and the sheer breadth of ammunition on the shelf. One safety note that has wrecked barrels: a 20-gauge shell dropped into a 12-gauge gun lodges in the forcing cone and the next 12-gauge shell fired behind it will burst the barrel.