sxs shotguns: 20 vs 12 for game?

[Rocked and Loaded]

I’m currently shopping for a sxs but have never owned one before. I’m curious what gauges people prefer for hunting with them.

Having only ever used pumps, autos, and o/us I’m unsure how the gauge will effect the sight picture and handling of the gun as it’s obviously different from the others that I’m familiar with.

Now if I’m only going to exclusively shoot upland with it, I would probably stick to 20 like I have for my preferred dove guns but moving up to 12 would give me the option of using the waterfowl and turkey loads that I already own and which are more commonly available for sale here (I use a pump for these currently).

Thanks in advance.

 

[BourbonTrail]

16 ga, but that’s not in the choices. 12 gets my vote unless you really want a lighter upland gun.

Make certain the double you pick can run turkey/duck loads before using them. Those old sxs’s won’t survive the pressures (not to mention the chamber is probably cut short 2 1/2 or 2 3/4 max). Modern SXSs will sometimes have 3in chambers for such loads. I haven’t seen a 3 1/2 double, but they may exist.

 

[Rocked and Loaded]

16 ga, but that’s not in the choices. 12 gets my vote unless you really want a lighter upland gun.

Make certain the double you pick can run turkey/duck loads before using them. Those old sxs’s won’t survive the pressures (not to mention the chamber is probably cut short 2 1/2 or 2 3/4 max). Modern SXSs will sometimes have 3in chambers for such loads. I haven’t seen a 3 1/2 double, but they may exist.

I’m looking at an modern Italian sxs from FAIR. The 12 and 20 models are proofed for steel which is a necessity, not only for waterfowl, but because California went fubar and banned lead for hunting ammo a few years back. They also have 3” chambers and I only have 3” turkey/waterfowl shells.

I’m leaning towards 12 at this point.

 

[crs]

Very glad that the turkey thought it could not be killed with a .410!

This was his third year to take one with his .410. The next three years it was with his then new 20 gauge:

Now it is his Wby 12 ga :

Darn Turkeys do not seem to know what type shotgun is used!

 

[Rocked and Loaded]

View attachment 420280

Very glad that the turkey thought it could not be killed with a .410!

This was his third year to take one with his .410. The next three years it was with his then new 20 gauge:
View attachment 420281

Now it is his Wby 12 ga :
View attachment 420282

Darn Turkeys do not seem to know what type shotgun is used!

I wasn’t suggesting that you couldn’t kill a turkey with anything but 12. But I already have 12g turkey shells and between the CA lead ban and the national ammo shortage I’d like to give myself an easier time finding it. I also can’t easily order ammo online anymore since CA requires it to go through an ffl.

For my own ease of use id like to stick with 12.
Nice birds by the way.

 

[K E Johnson]

Juxtaposed or superposed is a moot point in my experience if the gun doesn’t fit your point of aim. That is more of a concern for me. I grew up with my dad only having a juxtaposed, (SxS), 12 gauge. I have owned and shot both. I don’t currently own any over unders, ( superposed). I personally have always wanted a Remington 3200 but never owned one. I might need to correct that deficiency.
I vote 12 gauge myself, but to each their own.

Best wishes on your choice.

 

[WAB]

Be very cautious of bbl length and weight. There is an American penchant for light whippy game guns. These guns are close to impossible to control on long crossers. Look at the design of British game guns. 12 bore, 28 to 30 inch tubes, slightly under 7 pounds, carefully stocked to fit you. Oh and intended to shoot 1 1/16 oz loads.

Buy a second gun for waterfowl and turkey. If you buy a compromise gun you will be giving up a the dynamic handling that sets a proper game gun apart.

 

[curtism1234]

If you get a 20, ensure it is build on a dedicated 20ga frame.

When you only get 2 shots, I would lean towards the 20. A 3rd shot from a pump would often be out of range for the 20ga anyway

 

[Saul]

My vote is for a 12. It seems that every mass-produced 20 gauge double these days comes with 28" barrels, while in my opinion nothing under 12 gauge should come with under 30" barrels.

 

[crs]

My Turkey Gun -- .22 Hornet over 3 inch 12 ga. With range finding Turkey scope.

 

[Rocked and Loaded]

Be very cautious of bbl length and weight. There is an American penchant for light whippy game guns. These guns are close to impossible to control on long crossers. Look at the design of British game guns. 12 bore, 28 to 30 inch tubes, slightly under 7 pounds, carefully stocked to fit you. Oh and intended to shoot 1 1/16 oz loads.

Buy a second gun for waterfowl and turkey. If you buy a compromise gun you will be giving up a the dynamic handling that sets a proper game gun apart.

It’s not so much that I want a compromise gun. I just thought the option of being able to use it for waterfowl/turkey would be nice. I already have a shotgun for those anyway.

The thing is that any gun I buy has to be proofed for steel and a lot of the high end fixed choke guns are not. Or rather that’s the impression I get.

 

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Another vote for the 16 gauge............

If you already shoot 12 gauges, then I would stick with a 12, as ammo can be hard to come by. I quit using lead hunting loads (with a few exceptions) a few years back. Makes life simpler if I jump a wood duck or mallard while out hunting grouse......don't have to worry about the legalities of what type of shot I'm shooting.
I've started to reload bismuth shot for all my game shooting; I think it's better in the smaller gauges (16 and 20 gauges) and I don't need special wads or powders to reload it. I also think that it's more lethal, and patterns better than steel (more open) for upland shooting. I don't have to worry about breaking a tooth on a steel pellet while eating game, nor do I have to worry about lead contamination when I can or process game for the table. This is just what I do for me........your results may vary.
I just got back from doing a run to several gun stores, both small independent ones and big box stores. I did not see ANY 16, 20, or 410 shotshells (target loads/promo loads) in ANY of the stores!!!! Some of the stores had 12 gauge "promo" loads on the shelves.......they were between $10-$15/box of 25. You may want to look around your area and see what type of ammo availability is available before you make your final decision.
Good luck in your quest............post a pic when you get your new gun!

 

[Ravensview]

I use a savage fox sxs .20 gauge, but I mostly hunt partridge (ruffed grouse) and snowshoe hares, it is a joy to handle in the woods that I hunt, for ducks and geese I use 12 gauge pump

 

[wesheltonj]

How much to you value your shoulder after a full day of shooting. Get the 20. Unless, you are going to go to the expense of using RST shells, but a waste of money in a modern gun, unless you want to cut down on recoil and still use a 12.

 

[Rocked and Loaded]

Another vote for the 16 gauge............

If you already shoot 12 gauges, then I would stick with a 12, as ammo can be hard to come by. I quit using lead hunting loads (with a few exceptions) a few years back. Makes life simpler if I jump a wood duck or mallard while out hunting grouse......don't have to worry about the legalities of what type of shot I'm shooting.
I've started to reload bismuth shot for all my game shooting; I think it's better in the smaller gauges (16 and 20 gauges) and I don't need special wads or powders to reload it. I also think that it's more lethal, and patterns better than steel (more open) for upland shooting. I don't have to worry about breaking a tooth on a steel pellet while eating game, nor do I have to worry about lead contamination when I can or process game for the table. This is just what I do for me........your results may vary.
I just got back from doing a run to several gun stores, both small independent ones and big box stores. I did not see ANY 16, 20, or 410 shotshells (target loads/promo loads) in ANY of the stores!!!! Some of the stores had 12 gauge "promo" loads on the shelves.......they were between $10-$15/box of 25. You may want to look around your area and see what type of ammo availability is available before you make your final decision.
Good luck in your quest............post a pic when you get your new gun!

Funny I was just checking a store nearby and all they had were quite a few 28g field loads and a couple boxes of 12g waterfowl and some 12g buckshot.

I definitely like the idea of loading bismuth shot. Denser than lead and cheaper than tungsten. I will have to look into it at some point.

 

[Rocked and Loaded]

How much to you value your shoulder after a full day of shooting. Get the 20. Unless, you are going to go to the expense of using RST shells, but a waste of money in a modern gun, unless you want to cut down on recoil and still use a 12.

If the 20 is lighter than the 12, won’t the recoil be about the same?

 

[Bearbait1]

I use a 5.5# 20 ga for turkey and with 3” tungsten loads it will slap you pretty darn good.

 

[spike.t]

I wasn’t suggesting that you couldn’t kill a turkey with anything but 12. But I already have 12g turkey shells and between the CA lead ban and the national ammo shortage I’d like to give myself an easier time finding it. I also can’t easily order ammo online anymore since CA requires it to go through an ffl.

For my own ease of use id like to stick with 12.
Nice birds by the way.

Think you answered your own question there.....

 

[spike.t]

My vote is for a 12. It seems that every mass-produced 20 gauge double these days comes with 28" barrels, while in my opinion nothing under 12 gauge should come with under 30" barrels.

Mmm...all those pheasant...ducks and odd goose can't have been paying attention then when I shot them with pair of rizzini 20 bore o/u with 26 inch barrels...my favourite length...in England in shoot I used to be in.....

 

[Rocked and Loaded]

Mmm...all those pheasant...ducks and odd goose can't have been paying attention then when I shot them with pair of rizzini 20 bore o/u with 26 inch barrels...my favourite length...in England in shoot I used to be in.....

How did you like the rizzini? The gun I’m considering is from them.