help with 20g vs 12g for deer shotgun?

[Dbax129]

Hi, I hunted almost exclusively in firearms restricted areas last 2 years for deer, and decided this year I would like to put together a better gun for this purpose. Last year I drew a 2nd tag for my areaand filled both tags. I got the first, a tiny little spike buck (my first deer ever) with my CVA .50 cal muzzle loader, open sights, from like 30-40 feet. Somehow still hit him a little too far back. Gut shot, and quickly pulled out my .357 revolver (4 inch barrel) for a follow up shot, which helped him go quickly, but my ears are still ringing. Very exciting though. 2nd deer was doe, per 2nd tag requirements, and I harvested that one with my 12 gauge with 00 buck at around 50 yards. I had patterned the gun with those rounds at that choke, and at that distance plenty, and had a great shot. She was quartering away, with her head low as she was looking for a way to duck into some blackberries.  Putting her head in the grouping with vitals. One shot put a pellet in her heart, 3 in left lung, 1 in right lung, and one right behind the ear in the brain Bucket.  Anyways. Long story short, both worked, but I feel restricted to 50-60 yards, and some measure of uncertainty. Of my muzzle loader accuracy and my shotgun capability.
So, long story comes to this conclusion, I think I want a rifled slug gun with a fixed 4 power scope or a 2-6 variable zoom scope.  I also think 20 gauge is the way to go, but not sure. I think I just don't need the big 12 if its a slug. 20 is huge already and probably just fine.  Nice to have the little less damage on the animal.  What do you all think? Perfect weapon for range in firearm restricted areas?The thing with range is that several places I hunted were firearms restricted, but I have places with great shooting lanes up to 200 yards. Not that I need to push those limits, but I would like to have more range option than I currently have. So 12 or 20 or something different all together?

[Jolten]

My suggestion is to practice more with your muzzleloader. I believe a muzzleloader has a pretty good range already. Save the money from not buying a rifled shotgun and get out on the range and shoot varying distances.

[snowpack]

I'd probably go with 12 gauge.  What if you get a change for elk in a firearms restricted area?  The Hornady SST slugs are nice.  They are fast and accurate, and light weight (300-350 grains?).  You can accurately shoot them to 200 yards.  They are kind of expensive though.  If using a scope, I would use the lighter slugs.  Use the standard 1 ounce slugs and you might see why (unless you have a really heavy shotgun).  12 gauge slugs aren't overkill on deer in my opinion.

[buckfvr]

Go to www.midwayusa.com and look at factory replacement fully rifled, fiber optic sight, slug barrel.........one heck of an option for closer work.

[billythekidrock]

12g w/ 3in mag slugs.

[bobcat]

I think the 20 gauge is a great option. It's all you need for deer and the recoil is much less than a 12 gauge. The shotgun has many advantages over the muzzleloader as well. No need to clean it the same day you fire it, no worries if it's raining, much faster follow up shot, etc.

[Bob33]

I think the 20 gauge is a great option. It's all you need for deer and the recoil is much less than a 12 gauge. The shotgun has many advantages over the muzzleloader as well. No need to clean it the same day you fire it, no worries if it's raining, much faster follow up shot, etc.

What he said.

I have both 12 and 20 gauge slug guns. For deer the 20 is a much better choice. However, keep in mind that if you ever plan to hunt elk with the shotgun is must be 12 or 10 gauge.

[Dbax129]

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?

[buckfvr]

Go to Savages web page and see their 20 guage slug gun.....bolt action and ready for optics............keep in mind MFG price is way more than you can get it for at a decent shop.

Other than that, you can get replacement cantilever  barrels for scopes that the scope comes off with the barrel when you change back to smooth bore........

[Bob33]

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.

[Dbax129]

Right, I understand I can't use the 7mm in firearms restricted. Meant to say it works for me because I don't hunt them in firearms restricted areas. Purely because I have only done it in muzzy season and will probably only do archery from now on for elk, just cause I like the season more. And if I did modern, the only firearms restricted areas I hunt dont have any elk, so I would end up being able to use the 7mm elsewhere. but that's a whole 'nother can o worms for me cause I so t have a clue what I want to do for elk these days. :-) ahh!
It seems mixed on 12 vs 20... Does anybody know velocities of slugs? Can I just use my sears robuck 12 and get a rifled barrel for that and a cantilever scope mount? Not even sure why that is honestly... Its a pump action and just 2 3/4 shells I think. Not sur e if it takes 3"...

[snowpack]

2 3/4" works fine.  The SSTs have muzzle velocity of 2000 fps for 300 grain.
Cantilever mounts are attached to the barrel and extend over the action.  The other main options are to use the saddle mount or side mount. 

[BiggLuke]

12 gauge smooth bore... use a Cylinder choke, and but some rifled Slugs in it.
With my 870 I can easily put a box of 5 of these on a paper plate at 100 yards.
Not that you'd really ever need to shoot 100 yards.

Rifled slugs all the way. No need for an extra barrel that's rifled... just get slugs with built in rifling.
Much cheaper option.
12 gauge all the way, simply because of ammo availability.

[Dbax129]

Huh, maybe I will try the rifled slug, only thing is, my old sears robuck shotgun has a built on, adjustable choke... Should I open it up or tighten it down?

[jackson7]

Having used both, i prefer the 12. I had an old mossberg 500 with an ugly but effective choke and would open it up to cylinder for slugs. good luck.

[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!