20 gauge shotgun questions

flat8 · Mar 5, 2019

Went out for my first dove hunt and had an absolute blast. I'm hooked. Used my old 12 gauge Mossberg 500, but now am pretty sure that I "need" a 20 gauge for doves. Autoloader? OU? I know very little about shotguns or bird hunting so any advice would be appreciated.

Eric Anderson · Mar 5, 2019

flat8 said:
Went out for my first dove hunt and had an absolute blast. I'm hooked. Used my old 12 gauge Mossberg 500, but now am pretty sure that I "need" a 20 gauge for doves. Autoloader? OU? I know very little about shotguns or bird hunting so any advice would be appreciated.

Good over unders are hard to find. I know there are a lot of cheap ones that come out of turkey, but I have heard sketchy things about them.

I use a pump, but that is more because I don’t use shotguns that much, and pumps tend to work well with a wide variety of loads w/o changing anything.

If you do get a semi, it probably won’t work with a huge variety of loads without some settings change. Might be as simple as adjusting gas on a gas operated one, or changing buffer weights in an inertial type system.

Not a big deal, just don’t expect a shotgun to cycle dove loads and bear loads without adjustment.

MMAL · Mar 5, 2019

https://www.browning.com/products/f...production/citori-725-feather-superlight.html

I love this for doves and kick/shoot pheasant and quail. Could carry it all day and shoots like a dream.

Therack · Mar 5, 2019

Benelli Montefeltro will last you forever and handle all upland birds. I like it over the ultralight as it holds 5 rounds.

wesheltonj · Mar 5, 2019

I have a Browning A5 that jams every trip out in 12 gauge. It kicks like a mule, but it's very manageable with a slip-on neoprene butt pad. I would really recommend a 12g over a 20g for high flyers if shooting dove. I supposed if I was going to get an OU gun for quail, I would certainly recommend a 20g.

375 Ruger Fan · Mar 5, 2019

Randy Wakeman writes a lot of reviews on shotguns and frequently will call a crappy gun a crappy gun........very unique for a gun writer.

A few of the 20 gauge articles:

http://randywakeman.com/REVIEW2018OrvisFabarmElosD220GaugeOUtheShotgunoftheYear.htm

http://randywakeman.com/TheRenaissanceoftheTwentyGaugeShotgun.htm

http://randywakeman.com/WhytheMossbergSA20istheBest.htm

I've shot a Beretta A303 12 ga for about 30 years, both for ducks and sporting clays. I've often thought I should buy one in 20 gauge.

Mr. 16 gauge · Mar 5, 2019

Guess I'm "old school"......don't hunt doves (always wanted to), but I've found my Remington model 11 (looks like a browning A5) handy for ducks, pheasants, grouse, quail, woodcock, and chukars. I also have a Remington model 1100........very dependable; would suggest if you want more versatility, take a look at the 11-87....it will handle both 2 3/4" & 3" loads. Curious as to other's responses......my daughter wants to learn to shoot clay pigeons this summer.....might be in the market for a 20 gauge myself.

Red Leg · Mar 5, 2019

Eric Anderson said:
Good over unders are hard to find. I know there are a lot of cheap ones that come out of turkey, but I have heard sketchy things about them.

I use a pump, but that is more because I don’t use shotguns that much, and pumps tend to work well with a wide variety of loads w/o changing anything.

If you do get a semi, it probably won’t work with a huge variety of loads without some settings change. Might be as simple as adjusting gas on a gas operated one, or changing buffer weights in an inertial type system.

Not a big deal, just don’t expect a shotgun to cycle dove loads and bear loads without adjustment.

Good OU's are extremely easy to find - just look for something that says Beretta or Browning on it.

(And I don't even currently own one by either). They have some very reasonably priced entry level guns that are worth any premium you pay over the Tutkish hit or miss production. I would not buy an auto or a pump. Save those designs for ducks and geese. If you enjoy doves, it is only a matter of time until someone invites you on a quail hunt. Show up with an auto or pump at a lot of those places and you won't be asked back. An OU is also perfect for sporting clays or skeet - great practice for next dove season. An ever growing number of courses will not allow anything but break-open guns.

And welcome to a whole different world! I enjoy hunting feather every bit as much as fur. And if you enjoy doves, you need to start browsing the offers in Argentina. You'll learn more about shooting in three-days there than three or more years at home. One other thing - when you really get into this, you will discover that you can spend a lot more for a quality SxS or OU than a good rifle.

375 Ruger Fan · Mar 5, 2019

Mr. 16 gauge said:
Guess I'm "old school"......don't hunt doves (always wanted to), but I've found my Remington model 11 (looks like a browning A5) handy for ducks, pheasants, grouse, quail, woodcock, and chukars. I also have a Remington model 1100........very dependable; would suggest if you want more versatility, take a look at the 11-87....it will handle both 2 3/4" & 3" loads. Curious as to other's responses......my daughter wants to learn to shoot clay pigeons this summer.....might be in the market for a 20 gauge myself.

Youth model Beretta A303 on GB: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/802199528

buckmarkhunter · Mar 5, 2019

I have them all auto, double barrel and pump. For me it comes down to the rib. I can’t shoot a low rib shotgun for anything. But that’s me. I had a Benelli monefeltro beautiful gun but I couldn’t shoot it at all. Now my wife and daughter they shoot it great. A raised rib browning in a 20ga that is fun all day for me. I prefer the Browning’s with nice wood and a little engraving. But there are a lot of nice options out there.

Ray B · Mar 5, 2019

The only shotgun that I had for several years was a Browning superposed 20 ga and it worked fine on everything from doves to called ducks. then they banned lead shot for waterfowl. Rather than ruin the gun its use was limited to upland birds. It was choked M/F which is pretty much "all-around" but given its use limited to upland birds, I think IC/M would be a better choice, particularly if you are hunting over a pointer.

bullseye-69 · Mar 5, 2019

Look around and you can find nice older S x S in 20 bore That won't cost a lot.
Ithaca made some nice ones as did SKB.
I have a SKB in 20 that is very nice to shoot.
Or the pump route and get a 870 Rem.
Got a youth 870 pump in 20. Fast swinging gun.
Jmo.

JakeH · Mar 5, 2019

They ain’t expensive, or ornate, or even damn fancy. But there sure have been a lot of dove, quail, squirrel, and rabbit killed around here with a Stevens 311.

gizmo · Mar 5, 2019

If you’re going auto loader Benelli, Benelli, or Benelli. If an O/U F.A.I.R Racing or Sabatti Jaguar Gold. On the Fair or Sabatti holler I have a buddy that works for IGFA.

larry4831 · Mar 5, 2019

Get yourself a Remington 1187 or 1100. 20 gauge auto loading shotgun

BRICKBURN · Mar 5, 2019

2000 rounds a day - Auto loader to save being beaten to death.

Go pick up a whole bunch of shotguns and see what feels good, fits and swings well. If it does not fit, it will kick you.

You have already gotten some good suggestions.

wesheltonj · Mar 5, 2019

2000 rounds a day, you use their shotguns and not yours, your barrels will be crap afterwards. I have a friend who goes to Argentina every other year and he says that he burns out at least two barrels per trip.

mdwest · Mar 5, 2019

wesheltonj said:
2000 rounds a day, you use their shotguns and not yours, your barrels will be crap afterwards. I have a friend who goes to Argentina every other year and he says that he burns out at least two barrels per trip.

Yep... very easy to do in Argentina...

I’m headed back there this November... and will be using the outfitters gun...

It is easy to shoot 1000 shells a day... I’ve been told others shoot much more...

IdaRam · Mar 5, 2019

My vote would be for a Ruger Red Label 20ga choked either imp. cyl/mod or mod/full depending on how you will use it most of the time. 26” barrel with the more open chokes or 28” with the mod/full.
There are a few good looking deals on GI right now.

https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...l/ruger-red-label-20-ga-.cfm?gun_id=101188391

https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...eiver-new-never-fired-so.cfm?gun_id=101151702

https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...uger-red-label-o-u-20ga-.cfm?gun_id=101118375

BRICKBURN · Mar 5, 2019

wesheltonj said:
2000 rounds a day, you use their shotguns and not yours, ...........

Good point.

20 gauge shotgun questions

flat8

Eric Anderson

MMAL

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Therack

wesheltonj

375 Ruger Fan

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Mr. 16 gauge

Red Leg

375 Ruger Fan

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buckmarkhunter

Ray B

bullseye-69

JakeH

gizmo

larry4831

BRICKBURN

wesheltonj

mdwest

IdaRam

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BRICKBURN

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