Popularity of 12 gauge shotguns

[bigborelover]

Why is 12ga 'the' caliber for shotguns ? It is big and heavy with lots of recoil. It is not ideal for hunting birds because most of its shells do not hold enough shot. 16 ga slugs have almost the same energy as 12ga and they are lighter. So why is 12ga so widely used ?

 

[BeeMaa]

With a screen name “bigborelover” I’m surprised you are so recoil averse.

The 12 bore or gauge is popular because of its versatility, availability and less expensive ammunition. The driving force is olympic skeet and the competition shotgun world where 12 bore is the standard because it has more pellets for the same cartridge, delivers better patterns in that cartridge along with the advantages listed above.

The only exception I’ve found where recoil is an issue is with 2 1/4 oz TSS turkey loads, everything else has not been a problem for me. Plus, most people are using a 20 bore or even .410 (this is a caliber) for turkey with TSS so even that’s not an issue.

Price. 12 is the least expensive by far because of its popularity and versatility, followed by 20. After that 28 and .410 while the 16 is left behind. Not saying it isn't out there, but the price of it compared to 12 and 20 isn't even close. Even components for reloading the 16 are more expensive...all based on popularity and availability. Again, driven by the sporting world. And unless you change their minds, it's not likely to make a difference.

 

[Altitude sickness]

It’s the flexibility it provides. 2”, 2 1/2”, 2 3/4”, 3” , 3 1/2”

There is a tactical shell below 2” also.

This explains the why pretty well.

 

[Altitude sickness]

He doesn’t discuss the square shot string. Or doesn’t put much importance behind it. But the old masters surely did. The payload being as tall as it is wide.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I don't understand the logic of "not ideal for bird hunting because most of its shells do not hold enough shot." Does one need a ten gauge to hunt doves? I haven't accessed an online calculator but I'm quite sure my Springfield belching modest 180 gr hunting rounds issues more recoil than my A5 shooting 2.75" 1 1/4 oz pheasant loads.

 

[Altitude sickness]

The beauty of the 12 gauge is it can be detuned or boosted for the hunt of the day.

For example

The ongoing debate or banning of 12 gauges on southern quail plantations with a misplaced or misguided pretentiousness.

Particularly those that make no exception for a 2” or 2 1/2” 12 gauge that can have less payload or horsepower than an average 20 gauge.

 

[BonUm16]

“It is not ideal for hunting birds because most of it’s shells do not hold enough shot.”

 

[Hunter-Habib]

“It is not ideal for hunting birds because most of it’s shells do not hold enough shot.”

View attachment 714306

He is a 17 year old teenager from India who never fired a gun in his life (and it’s highly unlikely that he ever will). We must bear this in mind.

 

[MontanaGrant]

So the 12 gauge is too much recoil and too big, but at the same time doesn’t hold enough shot for birds? We going straight to a boat mounted punt gun?

I will admit that for anything under pheasants I love the 16 gauge. They’re slim and trim and swing much better than a 12 gauge. My dove Percentages have skyrocketed since I went to a smaller frame shotgun.

Pheasants I stick to my A5 12 gauge because I often need to reach to go 45-60 yards to stop pheasants. Also need to use #4 shot.

 

[Spearhead]

I remember not too long ago, this site being about PG and DG hunting in Africa.

 

[Firebird]

Different strokes for different folks. . .
I use a big heavy semi auto 12 for waterfowl extensively. I am also a big guy and recoil is a non issue. It is also a soulless synthetic, perfect for mud and willows and cattails and “stuff.” I actually shoot more accurately with a heavier shotgun on waterfowl.
That said I routinely hunt upland birds with an over under 16 gauge. I can swing it fast and find it more lively on a chukar mountain or quail country. Upland birds guns should be more sexy in use and appearance imo.
I’ve never shot a slug in any shotgun and probably never will in the area I live.

 

[baxterb]

He doesn’t discuss the square shot string. Or doesn’t put much importance behind it. But the old masters surely did. The payload being as tall as it is wide.

There was an older guy I met once here in Idaho who had written sort of a treatise on what made the optimal shotgun load - I wish I could find it. He was big on the “square” load. Interesting guy and quite entertaining to talk to. He has probably passed on by now so it’s great to think of him again because of your comment.

 

[bigborelover]

He is a 17 year old teenager from India who never fired a gun in his life (and it’s highly unlikely that he ever will). We must bear this in mind.

Well i hope to do so. Also don't get me wrong , 12 ga is one of my most favorite gauge for a shotgun . i just don't understand why it's so popular. And on the topic of firing a gun, a have the opportunity of firing a 12ga shotgun this Sunday.

 

[bigborelover]

He doesn’t discuss the square shot string. Or doesn’t put much importance behind it. But the old masters surely did. The payload being as tall as it is wide.

What is square shot string ?

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Well i hope to do so. Also don't get me wrong , 12 ga is one of my most favorite gauge for a shotgun . i just don't understand why it's so popular. And on the topic of firing a gun, a have the opportunity of firing a 12ga shotgun this Sunday.

Good luck. Just remember to hold it tightly against your shoulder and hold your breath when you squeeze the trigger.

12 gauge became popular in the 1870s when cartridge loaded firearms began to replace muzzle loaded firearms. Bore standardization occurred so that ammunition manufacturers could easily streamline the different types of ammunition they were making. Shotgun cartridges began to be offered in 32, 28, 24, 20, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 4 & 2 gauge. 32, 24 & 14 gauge were the first to become obsolete.

2 gauge was only operable from a boat due to the weight & recoil. 4 & 8 gauge were dedicated waterfowl hunting shotguns. Anything from 20 gauge downwards was a dedicated upland hunting shotgun. For general purpose/all round use in the late 1800s:

Continental hunters preferred 16 gauge
British hunters preferred 12 gauge
American hunters preferred 10 gauge

By the early 1900s, it was discovered that a 12 gauge offered the ideal compromise between a 10 gauge's large shot count and a 16 gauge's handiness. Americans also gravitated towards the 12 gauge with the advent of repeating shotguns. The 16 gauge was still more popular than the 12 gauge in Continental Europe until the First World War.

12 gauge shotguns are extremely versatile.
A 2.5" shell can hold up to 34 grams of shot.
A 2.75" shell can hold anywhere up to 42 grams of shot.
A 3" shell can hold anywhere up to 56 grams of shot.
A 3.5" shell can hold anywhere up to 63 grams of shot (more than an 8 gauge shotgun of yesteryear).

If 63 grams of shot isn't enough for birds (I personally draw the line at 56 grams and know many dedicated wing shooters who never go above 36 grams), then it's time to bring out the jeep mounted .50 BMG Browning M2 anti aircraft gun.

 

[bigborelover]

Good luck. Just remember to hold it tightly against your shoulder and hold your breath when you squeeze the trigger.

12 gauge became popular in the 1870s when cartridge loaded firearms began to replace muzzle loaded firearms. Bore standardization occurred so that ammunition manufacturers could easily streamline the different types of ammunition they were making. Shotgun cartridges began to be offered in 32, 28, 24, 20, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 4 & 2 gauge. 32, 24 & 14 gauge were the first to become obsolete.

2 gauge was only operable from a boat due to the weight & recoil. 4 & 8 gauge were dedicated waterfowl hunting shotguns. Anything from 20 gauge downwards was a dedicated upland hunting shotgun. For general purpose/all round use in the late 1800s:

Continental hunters preferred 16 gauge
British hunters preferred 12 gauge
American hunters preferred 10 gauge

By the early 1900s, it was discovered that a 12 gauge offered the ideal compromise between a 10 gauge's large shot count and a 16 gauge's handiness. Americans also gravitated towards the 12 gauge with the advent of repeating shotguns. The 16 gauge was still more popular than the 12 gauge in Continental Europe until the First World War.

12 gauge shotguns are extremely versatile.
A 2.5" shell can hold up to 34 grams of shot.
A 2.75" shell can hold anywhere up to 42 grams of shot.
A 3" shell can hold anywhere up to 56 grams of shot.
A 3.5" shell can hold anywhere up to 63 grams of shot (more than an 8 gauge shotgun of yesteryear).

If 63 grams of shot isn't enough for birds (I personally draw the line at 56 grams and know many dedicated wing shooters who never go above 36 grams), then it's time to bring out the jeep mounted .50 BMG Browning M2 anti aircraft gun.

I was under the impression 12 ga shotguns only held 37grams of shot. That is why i made the comment of them not containing enough shot. Sorry about that.

 

[spike.t]

He is a 17 year old teenager from India who never fired a gun in his life (and it’s highly unlikely that he ever will). We must bear this in mind.

Puts it into perspective.....so need to cut him some slack me thinks....

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Puts it into perspective.....so need to cut him some slack me thinks....

I agree. Children must be encouraged in this field.

 

[BeeMaa]

What is square shot string ?

A square shot string means the load is perfectly balanced. The length of the shot column would be equal to its diameter...creating a "square" shape. This will give an optimum shot pattern.

All this is much easier said than done with any size shotgun, but as the bore gets smaller, it becomes even more difficult.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Why is 12ga 'the' caliber for shotguns ? It is big and heavy with lots of recoil. It is not ideal for hunting birds because most of its shells do not hold enough shot. 16 ga slugs have almost the same energy as 12ga and they are lighter. So why is 12ga so widely used ?

For those of us that didn't start out with the funds to buy multiple shotguns, it wss the only gauge that made sense. We were hunting doves, quail, pheasants, ducks and geese. Sometimes we'd be hunting ducks on Saturday and Quail on Sunday or some other combination. Loads for any bird were readily available. Although I can't see shooting a shotgun for big game, some people have to. It's also the gauge in use by military and law enforcement. A 20 gauge is a lot of fun for the smaller species but it can't replace the 12 overall.