12/20 gauge for upland??

[SOUTHBAYMAN]

Who has a favorite for upland?? I have all 12 gauges thinking of getting a 20 gauge to use for upland

[ACEarcher]

If I'm going to use a 20ga for upland its going to be my Ithaca M37 featherweight. It's great for those long hikes cause it weights nothing. Not to mention anybody who ever shoots an Ithaca will tell you they point very well. Thats my choice when it comes to 20ga's.

[Setterman]

20's makes for a great lightweight upland gauge. I prefer a double on a 20 ga. because of their light weight but also hunt occasionally with an old 20 ga. A5 that weighs around 6 lbs. and is easy to tote afield. If you hunt upland game over a pointing dog, a 20 ga. is all you need in the field. I like 12's and 16's too and hunt with those gauges providing I have a lightweight gun to shoot them in. I keep my upland handloads around an ounce for every gauge and is what I shoot most of for these three, although I prefer a 7/8 oz. load in the 20 ga. I also think a good one ounce load in a 16 ga. or a 12 ga. is a more effective killer than in a 20 ga., yet I prefer those heavier gauge guns to be lightweight, meaning under 7lbs. I prefer lightweight shotguns because they are easier to tote all day and quicker to get on flushing game. If your range extends beyond 35 yards, you may want to shoot heavier loads in all gauges for denser, effective patterns. Just my opinion based on experience.

[S0uthernrebel78]

i have used a 20 i have used both o/u and a sxs for the last 10 years for upland hunting and i dont think i will ever go back to a 12 or a 16 but i will take out the new 28 that i got

[bluecollar$]

I've used a 20 ga Browning gold for quite a few years. Shoulders,points and carries nice:thup:

[ub1243]

when i go bunny hunting i bring out my 20ga stevens pump.
it's old, it's beat up, rusts spots, bend rib from a railroad track, but it's the gun i grew up shooting.

[Bird Boy]

listen to ace man, that m 37 feather weight is incredible for those long hikes in pennsi for grouse and those days when you really arent doing so well so you want to get atleast a few birds so you stay out for 6 hours. perfect. it is probably one of, if not the smoothest swinging and shooting guns ive ever shot. of course noe i got the benelli nova pump so i will be switching back and forth between the two guns

[huntined]

I use all the gauges in pumps, SxS, over/under and semi. It all depends on what I am hunting for and what dog I take along. If I'm hunting for grouse and woodcock with my GSP I will use a 20ga or 28ga. If I am after pheasent with my lab I will pick one of my 16ga or 12ga guns. I do believe someone is not underguned with a good 20ga though for all there upland hunting. To me it is more of a personal matter than a firepower one. Just one mans opinion though.

[Esetterman]

i agree with huntined its not a firepower issue its a personal issue... i have shot hundreds of geouse and woodcock (member im from michigan) ive never taken a 12 in the grouse woods .... a 20 is plenty of gun.... getting back i think the question was any suggestions on a 20 ... i got a 20 gauge remington wingmaster wouldnt give it up for nothing.... although i have to agree an ithaca is a great gun... if you want a double i like rugers MADE IN USA .... just another opinion

[ACEarcher]

All great guns mentioned. You guys have some great tastes. An 11-87 in 12ga is another great shotgun I like carrying with me.

[RUSS0079]

Although like Esetterman, I have not killed hundreds of grouse and woodcock, but I have had the pleasure of lugging many guns through the bush chasing pointing dogs. I love my 20 gauge Red Label Ruger. Or my 12 Gauge E. R. Aminingtino with 26 inch tubes. The best gun is the one the birds die infront of!
Russ

[Esetterman]

Russ, good point, your right whatever kills birds... sometimes the fancier the gun just means you will look better missing the birds ha! im good at that!

[RUSS0079]

20 gauge mossberg model 500!!!!!!!lmao
don't be a hater!!!

[Esetterman]

i used to own one couldnt put a reloaded shell through it or a 3 inch it would jam everytime ... like i said maybe i had a lemon

[RUSS0079]

Jesse,
I was just messing around. I love my Ruger. I also have an old Stevens 311 SxS 20 gauge that I love. During the cold nasty weather, I try to limit out quick during grouse, so I tote the 12 O/U A. R. Aminantino imported by Stoeger.

[Esetterman]

my first gun was a western field 311 20 ga, its the same gun as the stevens but mongomery ward brand, it was my dads first gun too, i believe savage had one too.... mine has birch stock, i have been looking for nice walnut and to shorten the barrels from 28, to 25 to spice it up a bit.... shot my first woodcock and grouse with that gun... my dad had barrels bored wide open with it i use it a lot in early season when cover is thick and your shots are shorter

[Esetterman]

my dad has ruger red label in 12, 20, and 28... pretty much all he uses... i was sopposed to get my choice i turned offer down .... chance came along i took the 20 then he told me he wasnt ready to part... shoulda took it the first time around i guess lol

[RUSS0079]

Don't worry Jesse,
I hear the railroad business is turning around! You should be able to geta new one soon.
Russ

[Esetterman]

yeah the RR is getting busy i had to shorten my vacation one day due to a new job oppertunity have a interview for a management position ... if i get it ill probably get a new toy.... time for an O/U

[RUSS0079]

Yeah, get a Rizini. That'll set you back a bit. I want the Ruger SxS in a 20 with a straight stock! SWEET!
Russ

[Setterman]

I want the Ruger SxS in a 20 with a straight stock!

That would be a nice bird gun if they made one. But, unless I'm misinformed, the Ruger SxS (Gold Label) was only made in 12 ga., never a 20 ga. I don't know if they plan to introduce them again but the possibility is remote. They only built the 12 ga. from 2004-2006. If you pick up a 2009 Ruger catalog, you'll note the Gold Label is missing and no longer catalogued.

Sad, it wasn't a bad American gun even though it retailed for $2,500+. The only thing close from America today is Tony Galazan's (Conn. Shotgun) RBL. I suspect if Ruger had made a 20 ga. first and not the 12, it may have been a better seller.

[RUSS0079]

Ah Setterman, you are quite correct! But it would have been nice. I will not add another to the safe, unless it meets most of the criteria. Didn't think they retailed for 2,500.00 though? Either way, Lion Country Supply has some nice game guns! Might look into them. Until that day, I'll be happy takingout Grandpa's 311A Savage 20ga. I do need to have it bored out though. Alittle tight for my liking. For now I happily carry my Red Label 20 ga with a straight English stock!
Russ

[Esetterman]

i agree i wish they would have made the gold label in a 20 i think it would have sold better too sxs 12 is not a popular choice these days.... i like CZs for the money... even know it says usa on barrel its not made here i think they get away with it because they have a US headquarters but for the money sharp guns and well built i own a 28 with straight stock sweet little gun has a case colored reciever... i got it for practically nothing but i think they run about 800-1200 depending on model

[Setterman]

Didn't think they retailed for 2,500.00 though?

Yes, when I last saw ads they were retailing just a bit more than this amount. When I handled a couple in a gunstore two years ago, they were selling for $1,700-$1,800. Those were the only two I ever saw. Now, on Gunbroker/GunsAmerica they are commanding as much as $3,500. Apparently since they've been discontinued they have already achieved cult/collector status and folks are gouging the price. Way overpriced in my opinion unless you make them a safe-queen for resale later in life. I still think it's an $1,800 gun, and not much more. For $3,500 you can buy some real nice old classics like a Parker, L.C. Smith or A.H. Fox that will probably appreciate a bit more over time than a Ruger.

Then again, each person puts their own value and price on certain things they hold dear to their hearts.

[RUSS0079]

Agreed. Hopefully they will see the error in their ways.
Russ

[Setterman]

It would be nice to see that happen, for Ruger's sake. With everyone going the route of replacing U.S. manufacturing with products built or sourced from overseas, I'm not holding my breath that things will change much.

[Esetterman]

hmmmm.... a 311 i have one of them it was my dads first gun and mine, its bored out and i still hunt with it .... although mine is not a savage its a westernfield its the same gun parts are inerchangeable.... if you find a walnut stock for one let me know

[edemi1]

I use a few shotguns in 12/16 and 20, but the gun that feels the best to me, and shoots best for me, is my A5 Belgium 20 Mag. Great feel and fit for me, and more than enough gun.

[Houndog]

I have two Red Labels, one in 20ga and a 28ga. I use the 28 for almost all upland hunting. I friggin love the gun. It's very light and powerful enough for all the upland hunting I have ever done. I use federal copper coated shot most of the time and it will make clean kills with no problem.

[bunnyhunter]

I have a Berretta Silver Snipe Over under with open chokes. It is great for rabbits. I use a Remington 1100 for bird and deer, It has two barrels a IC for pheasant and full choke for deer. I prefer a top tang safety for hunting.

bunnyhunter

[ACEarcher]

My father and I went to a evening/night trap shoot. This club does it every Weds. I shot my 16ga for the first time and wow am I impressed. First time I ever shot it and I did a 20-25. And the 5 misses I knew I was going to miss the second i pulled the trigger. Just a bad lead I guess. The 16ga has put a great impression on me for a first time user. I will surly be using this awsome gauge shotgun in the near Sm game seasons.

[Setterman]

The 16 ga. is the unsung hero of the uplands. Seems only savvy 16 gauge-o-philes know this. "Carries like a 20, hits like a 12" is not far from the truth. It splits the difference between the 12 and the 20 like the 28 ga. splits the 20 and the .410. Yet, the 28 ga. is popular thanks to its trim size and its accepted skeet credentials. Before the advent of mandated steel shot for waterfowl, 16's were pretty good duck and goose guns too under the right conditions throwing 1 1/8 oz. to 1 1/4 oz. of lead shot. Certainly a better option than the 20 back then.

A proper 16 ga. is trimmer than a 12. The Browning A5 Sweet-Sixteen, Win. M12, Ithaca M37, Parker, L.C. Smith, Fox, Jap. Citori, older Beretta Silver Hawk's, Winny M21's were all built on a 16 ga. frame. You are looking at guns that will weigh from a little over 6 lbs. yet less than 7 lbs. here. I hunt regularly with 16's. A M12, A5 Belgium or Japanese and a Parker.

[Philly Fan]

Another 16 guy here. I've used 20,16, and 12 for small game, and now use the 16 all the time. It is a 45 year old Remington Wingmaster hand me down from my grandfather. Got it blued last year, and stripped and refinished a walnut stock and forend for it. Looks great. Had a 26" real tight mod barrel, and I bought a 26" IC ribbed barrel for it. I still have the old barrel, stock and forend so my son can change it back someday, if he wants it like his great grandfather had it. Best thing about this gun, it rarely misses a bird!

[RUSS0079]

Well, I'll give an update on that comment after the 28th! For your old broke downself, I hope you're right! LMAO.
Russ

[Esetterman]

russ i brought back some 20 loads for you to try... i got regular one ounze with the cards and some others that my dad calls super spreaders with a special wad in it to spread the lead faster good in the early season

[edemi1]

Another 16 guy here. I've used 20,16, and 12 for small game, and now use the 16 all the time. It is a 45 year old Remington Wingmaster hand me down from my grandfather. Got it blued last year, and stripped and refinished a walnut stock and forend for it. Looks great. Had a 26" real tight mod barrel, and I bought a 26" IC ribbed barrel for it. I still have the old barrel, stock and forend so my son can change it back someday, if he wants it like his great grandfather had it. Best thing about this gun, it rarely misses a bird!


Hey Philly,

I have a a 1963 wingmaster 16 gauge, that my dad gave me when i first started small gaming. it has a full choke barrel though, and i have been looking to get an IC barrel with no luck. Where did you get the barrel?
also, how about the shells/cost similar to 20's?? Thank Phor your help Philly...
I like to shoot a 20 ga. on upland... lighter to carry, and more than enough to do the job.
We shoot alot of clays too, and use a 20 for that also. Some of the longer shots can be tough, and if i am feeling real competetive i will switch to a larger shot size (up to a 6) for the long shots. seems to help me on the long ones.

[ACEarcher]

The price is the same it's the availability that is the issue. A lot of times you can find the smaller mom&pop shops that have odd ball rounds in difference shot sizes. Yeah the 16ga is a great under rated round. I've even given it the thought of finding a slug gun in 16ga.

[edemi1]

The price is the same it's the availability that is the issue. A lot of times you can find the smaller mom&pop shops that have odd ball rounds in difference shot sizes. Yeah the 16ga is a great under rated round. I've even given it the thought of finding a slug gun in 16ga.


Funny you say that, I have been semi-looking for a new barrel for my 16 WM, and a few years ago the only barrel i saw for it was a slug with rifle sights, and i always was tempted to get it. now i don't even see that barrel listed anymore.

[Esetterman]

start by calling remington i to have a 16 gauge wingmaster and a 28 guage from the 70s with no rib i called them and they said i could order it from the factory although i did not do it yet thats what they said

[RUSS0079]

Jesse,
Can't wait to try out those loads in the Ruger. Thanks. We leave tomorrow.
Russ

[ECRETzone27]

when i rabbit hunt i use .410 say wat u want it can shoot far and not destroy the meat like a 12 would

[Elwellzone27]

use 20 cause you still want the meat in the animal

[ECRETzone27]

use 20 cause you still want the meat in the animal
410:fight::fight::fight::fight::fight::fight::figh t::razz: