12 or 20 gauge for Wild birds

[bearpaw]

A 20 can be lighter but a 12 has more shot capacity and is more versatile. Both will kill birds within their limitations which means shorter range with a 20.

  good explanation and exactly why I pack a 12 for most bird hunting

[AspenBud]

Buy a 16 gauge. Carries like a 20, hits like a 12.

Tristan sells a cheap 16 gauge O/U, Franchise sells one that is a level up from that, and then there is Browning’s sweet 16 A5.

[T-Bone]

Buy a 16 gauge. Carries like a 20, hits like a 12.

Tristan sells a cheap 16 gauge O/U, Franchise sells one that is a level up from that, and then there is Browning’s sweet 16 A5.

X2...Also, the 16 Ga.Browning BPS Hunter model on a 20 Ga. receiver. Unfortunately the BPS Upland Special model in all gauges is now discontinued (per Browning's website).

[nutntoit]

Buy a 16 gauge. Carries like a 20, hits like a 12.

Tristan sells a cheap 16 gauge O/U, Franchise sells one that is a level up from that, and then there is Browning’s sweet 16 A5.

X2...Also, the 16 Ga.Browning BPS Hunter model on a 20 Ga. receiver. Unfortunately the BPS Upland Special model in all gauges is now discontinued (per Browning's website).

If I ever find one of those with the English stock in 16ga I am definitely going to buy it. Those are nice little guns.

[Cab]

I've used both but found that I was hunting thick woods so I often had shots that were close or the bird was still on the ground. 20ga seem to keep them intake better. If i'm in open country 12ga, thick woods 20ga.

[johnsc6]

A 20 can be lighter but a 12 has more shot capacity and is more versatile. Both will kill birds within their limitations which means shorter range with a 20.

  good explanation and exactly why I pack a 12 for most bird hunting

Such a fallacy... there is no increased "range" with a 12 guage. The ONLY difference is amount of shot. Same size pellet flying the same speed equals same energy. I duck hunt with a 20 guage frequenlty and find it funny that folk think they need a 3.5" 12 gauge to kill a bird.  Find a gun that fits and shoot it well.

[bobcat]

A 20 can be lighter but a 12 has more shot capacity and is more versatile. Both will kill birds within their limitations which means shorter range with a 20.

  good explanation and exactly why I pack a 12 for most bird hunting

Such a fallacy... there is no increased "range" with a 12 guage. The ONLY difference is amount of shot. Same size pellet flying the same speed equals same energy. I duck hunt with a 20 guage frequenlty and find it funny that folk think they need a 3.5" 12 gauge to kill a bird.  Find a gun that fits and shoot it well.

There sure is an advantage at longer distances with a 12 gauge. More shot means a denser pattern, which obviously will be more effective further out. If there was no advantage to more shot capacity, then everyone would be using 410 shotguns for goose hunting, and turkey hunting.

[T-Bone]

I've used both but found that I was hunting thick woods so I often had shots that were close or the bird was still on the ground. 20ga seem to keep them intake better. If i'm in open country 12ga, thick woods 20ga.

Choke has a great deal to do with it; even more than gauge. For grouse in the woods, improved cylinder or even skeet would be my choice. It is also a good choice for valley quail. For pheasants and Huns, modified is my go-to choke.

The oz. of shot in the shell has a lot to do with it, too; regardless of gauge. In the uplands, more is not necessarily better.

[jackson7]

gents, love all the opinions. Still staying with my 20 gauges.  my thought is think more on your shells than the gauge. With the shot shells out these days just about any gun is versatile.    That said, the 16's  comes out when I am strictly out for pheasant.

[floatinghat]

I shoot a 12, I can shoot light and more square loads when desired or heavier loads later in the season.  My go to is a 2 1/2" 11/8 oz, #6 shot or the same in a 2 3/4" shell.

[nutntoit]

I shoot a 12, I can shoot light and more square loads when desired or heavier loads later in the season.  My go to is a 2 1/2" 11/8 oz, #6 shot or the same in a 2 3/4" shell.

That has been my philosophy so far as well. I like the versatility of the 12ga

[thinkingman]

When you're hunting wild pheasants, especially after opening weekend, you really need a 12 gauge with at least 1-1/4 ounces of shot. Often the closest shots you get will be roosters jumping up at 40 yards. By the time you shoot they're at least 50. Not a shot you really want to try with a 20 gauge.

20ga 3" pheasant loads are 1 1/4oz of 5s. 
Thats what I shoot after the opener.
Same velocity as 12ga, slight different pattern.

[JLS]

When you're hunting wild pheasants, especially after opening weekend, you really need a 12 gauge with at least 1-1/4 ounces of shot. Often the closest shots you get will be roosters jumping up at 40 yards. By the time you shoot they're at least 50. Not a shot you really want to try with a 20 gauge.

In my experience, this is not the case at all.

I think it is much more a mind set issue than reality.  I used to shoot 1 1/4 to 1 3/8 ounce loads from a 12 gauge all the time, thinking that was what I "needed".  Since then, I found as shotgun that truly fits me, and I've since killed a pile of birds with a measly ounce of # 6s.  This is from an improved cylinder bore no less.

Just like with rifles, bigger guns don't make up for poor shooting.

[bobcat]

Sure, a one ounce load of 6's will do a great job of killing pheasants, but not at 50 to 60 yards.

[tlbradford]

When you're hunting wild pheasants, especially after opening weekend, you really need a 12 gauge with at least 1-1/4 ounces of shot. Often the closest shots you get will be roosters jumping up at 40 yards. By the time you shoot they're at least 50. Not a shot you really want to try with a 20 gauge.

In my experience, this is not the case at all.

I think it is much more a mind set issue than reality.  I used to shoot 1 1/4 to 1 3/8 ounce loads from a 12 gauge all the time, thinking that was what I "needed".  Since then, I found as shotgun that truly fits me, and I've since killed a pile of birds with a measly ounce of # 6s.  This is from an improved cylinder bore no less.

Just like with rifles, bigger guns don't make up for poor shooting.

Distance is a matter of cover hunted and the quality of the dog and hunter, especially in Washington.  That whole distance thing is more typical of the heavily corn fields of midwest.  I am kicking up late season wild birds on public land because I hunt heavy cover, approach quietly, and have a dog that scent points and holds without creeping.  However, all things being equal, more shot in the air, with a great pattern increases your chances of killing, especially at longer distances.