12 or 20 gauge for Wild birds

[jackson7]

20 , easier to carry. Nothing wrong with a 16 though.

[Smokeploe]

Both are good but there are things to consider.  The 12 ga is heavier, there is the more shot advantage up to 1 1/2 oz of shot. The 20 ga is lighter, less shot to a point 1 3/8 oz..  Most 20's will mount and swing faster because they are lighter.  But don't believe anybody that the 12 ga is a harder hitting than the 20 ga. The only difference is the amount of shot,  1200 fps is 1200 fps in either in the 12 or the 20! 
If you feel comfortable using the 12 great, if you like the feel of the 20 that is great!
When I use to duck hunt in the Sacramento valley decades ago I used a 20 ga pump and reloaded my own shells and I got just as many ducks and geese as my hunting partner back then.  I shot the same flocks he did with his 12 ga, most of my loads were either 1 or 1 1/8 oz loads in the 20.  Yes I had a 12 ga, it was just to heavy so I used the 20
Smokeploe

[Henrydog]

The difference between 7/8oz to 1 1/4 is negligible with the amount of shot depending on size.  2 things matter with shotgun, if it shoots where you are looking (ie fits) and the load patterns well.  That said I would not shoot a goose with a 410.  But a pheasant with a 20ga you are confident with will be just as dead as the one you hammer with a 10ga

[ctwiggs1]

The difference between 7/8oz to 1 1/4 is negligible with the amount of shot depending on size.  2 things matter with shotgun, if it shoots where you are looking (ie fits) and the load patterns well.  That said I would not shoot a goose with a 410.  But a pheasant with a 20ga you are confident with will be just as dead as the one you hammer with a 10ga

We hunted geese quite effectively as kids with .410s.  It really does come down to placement.

[CP]

A 12g will do everything that a 20g will do, and more, and better.  I see no reason to own anything but a 12g.

[tlbradford]

A 12g will do everything that a 20g will do, and more, and better.  I see no reason to own anything but a 12g.

Then you haven't hiked chukar cliffs or waded through miles of muddy fields with a nice light 20 guage.

[CP]

A 12g will do everything that a 20g will do, and more, and better.  I see no reason to own anything but a 12g.

Then you haven't hiked chukar cliffs or waded through miles of muddy fields with a nice light 20 guage.

I have a 5.9lb 12g.  Most 20s weigh more than that, I'm sure there are a few that weigh a bit less but the difference is negligible.

[tlbradford]

A 12g will do everything that a 20g will do, and more, and better.  I see no reason to own anything but a 12g.

Then you haven't hiked chukar cliffs or waded through miles of muddy fields with a nice light 20 guage.

I have a 5.9lb 12g.  Most 20s weigh more than that, I'm sure there are a few that weigh a bit less but the difference is negligible.

In that case you are correct.  I went from a couple of 12's that were between 6.5 and 7.6 lbs, to a little 20 gauge golden snipe that weighs what your 12 guage does.  That pound made a lot of difference.

[2MANY]

Gauge choice depends largely on the quality of the canine IMHO.

[Stein]

The weight of the shotgun pales in comparison to the other junk I’m usually packing.

The other advantage is ammo availability, way more in stock and more choices for 12.


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[mossy8352]

For some the twenty makes sense, with the new Heavy Shot loads and reasonable distances. Also as you get to my age the recoil of a twenty gauge is less and at the end of the day for "me" that makes a difference.My dad also hunted North and South Dakota with a Remington 20 gauge and had no problems! That said I only have two 12 gauge shotguns one for turkey and an old J C Higgins pump with three chokes that has taken it's fair share of birds. It is and should be a personal choice of what fits you best and performs to your demands like a good bird dog!

[jetjockey]

A 12g will do everything that a 20g will do, and more, and better.  I see no reason to own anything but a 12g.

Then you haven't hiked chukar cliffs or waded through miles of muddy fields with a nice light 20 guage.

I have a 5.9lb 12g.  Most 20s weigh more than that, I'm sure there are a few that weigh a bit less but the difference is negligible.

If your shooting a sub 6lb, 12, your most likely also shooting 20ga loads, and not American 12ga loads.  The steel isn’t thick enough to proof high pressure American shells in 99% of all sub 6lb 12 gauges.  So, let’s make sure we are talking apples to apples.  I believe my Griffin and Howe 12 ga is proofed to 1200 or 1310 bar.  It’s a 6lb 10oz 12 guage.  I don’t shoot the ultra high velocity magnum loads in that even with the high proof.

My go to shotgun over the years has been a 1923 LC Smith 20 guage  with 2 1/2” chambers. I shoot RST 7/8 is loads at 1125 FPS in the heart of pheasant country.  I’ve hunted WA, SD, NE, KS, CO, and several other states for pheasants.  There are no pheasants more wild than a late season January CO pheasant.  It’s not about the guage, it’s about the gun and the shooter. 

[bobcat]

12 gauge is always going to have the capability of a better pattern than a 20 gauge, with the right choke and shot combination. If you're shooting 50 to 60 yards at pheasants I sure wouldn't want a 20 gauge. If you're comfortable passing up most of the birds you see, then I guess a 20 would be fine. I just like to take advantage of every shot opportunity I get, since here in Washington they can be so few and far between.

[jetjockey]

My guess is your not shooting 50-60 yards, because if you are, then your hits are basically a golden BB.  Most 50-60 yard pheasant kills are like the old 500 yard elk kills before rangefinders.  Suddenly those 500 yard shots became 250 yard shots.  I have cleanly killed pheasants to 60 yards with a 20, because 1oz of #5’s at 1200 FPS is all you need.  At 50-60 yards, most of your pattern is gone anyways, and you are relying on a pattern that’s about 20” to mill a bird.  There’s plenty of bbs in a 20” 20ga pattern at 50-60 yards to kill a pheasant.  The question is if you can put that 20” target on a pheasant at at 50-60 yards.  Most people have no idea how shot patterns work.  At 50-60 yards, most of your pattern is gone.

http://www.shootingtimes.com/long-guns/longgun_reviews_st_headintheclouds_201002/

[Special T]

My 32" 12 gauge side by side is my go to for the wild bird I hunt. Yes is have a flushing duck dog, but even with my buddies awesome pointers they have always jumped long.  I powderize pigeon's out to 50 yards that I can't seem to with my other 12 gauges....

If you find something that works for you use it....

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