help with 20g vs 12g for deer shotgun?

[bear hunter]

I have hunted the islands for many years. I help friends get there first deer and my 2nd deer since they offed the tag.  We have taken deer with 10ga/12g/20ga buckshot, slugs, muzzleloaders in .50 cal / 12g with 00 buckshot and Archery. You can use your 12g turn to cylinder and got to the range and shoot. They also sell turkey iron sight. Get rifled lead slugs they shoot good. If you use buck shot 30 to 40 max is the distance. Slugs with smooth bore open vent rib 100 yards max if you practice s lot but My shot never are that far. We have taken over 96 deer off the island since 1996. The shot distance for all the deer were as close as 5 ft to 100 yards but most shot are around 10 to 20 yards. If you do decide to buy a new shot gun buy the Remington 870 mag combo 28" vent rib and smooth bore Slug barrel with iron sights. Great setup for your type of hunting.

[pd]

DBax, I meant to tell you this earlier.  I will show you my set up the next time I see you, but...

Forget a rifled shotgun.  Forget a scope on the gun.  If you don't have one already, get a very simple shotgun, in either 12-gauge or 20-gauge, in a smooth bore (full choke is fine).  I would recommend you buy a used gun from a pawn shop or wherever, and make it into your Go-To slug gun.

Buy rifled slugs.  Remember, rifled slugs go with smooth bore shotguns.  WalMart sells these for $5 for a pack of 5.  A pack of 5 will last you 2 or 3 years!

I have used a 12-gauge up until now, but switched over to a single shot 20-guage when I realized that was all that I needed.  I have never taken a shot beyond 40 yards, so I don't need a scope.  Bead sights, and game over.

Keep it very simple.  And, the best thing is this: Very inexpensive set up, too.

[RB]

O, I didn't realize it had to be 12 gauge for elk... But so far I habent tried for elk anywhere firearms restricted, and have a 7mm for that.  What 20 gauge would you all recommend? Is there a Mossberg 500 in 20? I guess I don't know how many out there have the option for mounting optics, is that hard to find?

Your 7mm will do you no good in a firearm restricted area.

I've killed three elk in firearm restricted areas with a 12 gauge.

Get a shotgun with a rifled barrel, put a scope on it, find the right slug and you should have a gun that is easily accurate enough to shoot 100 yards or better.

Mossberg makes a drop in barrel with a scope for the 500 for about $200 I put one on my 500 and with Hornandy SST I get rifle accuracy at 100 yards easy!