Adequate Goose Gun?

[h2ofowlr]

If they are close and over the decoys, does it matter what you are shooting.  28,20,16,12 or 10.  Nope.  I didn't start shooting the 12 until about age 12 or 13.  I killed several hundred geese with the 20.  Get them with there feet down and practice your shot and you will dirt them.  When they are real close it will look like a slug hit them.
My dad only shoots a .20 anymore because of arthritis.  You wouldn't know the difference other than the kick.  He drops them as good as anyone.

Only main comment would be to get rid of the extra full.  Your pattern will go to crap with steel.  Open it up.  Shoot modified or IC a little practice and you will dirt birds within reason.  You probably won't fair as well in the 70 yard club that some shoot at, but patience and good shots will earn you a limit.

[Meats]

If they are close and over the decoys, does it matter what you are shooting.  28,20,16,12 or 10.  Nope.  I didn't start shooting the 12 until about age 12 or 13.  I killed several hundred geese with the 20.  Get them with there feet down and practice your shot and you will dirt them.  When they are real close it will look like a slug hit them.
My dad only shoots a .20 anymore because of arthritis.  You wouldn't know the difference other than the kick.  He drops them as good as anyone.

Only main comment would be to get rid of the extra full.  Your pattern will go to crap with steel.  Open it up.  Shoot modified or IC a little practice and you will dirt birds within reason.  You probably won't fair as well in the 70 yard club that some shoot at, but patience and good shots will earn you a limit.

Exactly what I was trying to say.
Bobcat wont agree but you speak the truth.

[Grizzly95]

Go big, go with the punt gun! One shot, limit out!

[Phartridge]

Grizzly,  That is awsome.  We went to Boston this last summer and saw one.  Takes out 30 ducks with one shot.  Are those legal?  LOL...

[Curly]

So, if I can't use lead, and I maybe shouldn't use steel (still up for opinion), then what are my alternatives?  Were you thinking along the lines of copper-coated, or zinc?  Basically, what were you refering to when you said that there were more expensive alternatives?  Thanks.

If I were going to use my 20ga on geese (mine is only 2 3/4"), I think I'd use Nice Shot........ :  http://store.fastcommerce.com/niceshot/20-gauge-ff8081811ba399ad011c067e043f649b-p.html

1 oz load of #5's should work well (for decoying geese under 40 yards).

If I had a 3" 20ga, I'd probably go with Remington HD in the 3" mag #4's.

[duckaholic]

if you use decoys like your supposed to there is no question about it, all i used to hunt with was my 870 20ga. with 3'' 2 shot and mod. choke it works really well. the only reason someone would say other wise is because the just don't know how to shoot so they need all the shot they can get (12ga 3.5, or a 10ga)   

[Phartridge]

Thanks for all the info.  I think I am going to go with the 20 gauge.  I have always liked using light gear for a bigger challenge.  I flyfish alot, and I use a 2 weight, because it just adds that extra bit of tension.  Same with spinning, I always use an ultralight.

[Curly]

So, your 20ga is only full choke?  Does it have choke tubes?  Full choke and steel don't always work so well.  You should plan on patterning before hunting with whatever load you choose.

Good luck.

[Phartridge]

No, I have interchangable chokes, so I have full, modified, and Imp..  Should I pattern the gun like I would pattern it for a turkey.  What should my density of my pattern be?  Also, I have fiber-optic sights, and bead sights.  I think I will probably go with the fiber-optic.

[Curly]

Just draw a 30" dia. circle and shoot at it at 30 or 40 yards and check to see which choke gives you the most uniform pattern with as few flyers as possible.  Sometimes full choke will leave some large gaps and produce a bunch of flyers (especially w/ steel shot).  Sometimes modified or IC will give you a better pattern than full.  I've gotten 80% of the pellets within a 30" circle at 40yards with IC choke before.

[Jellymon]

I love black cloud loads! You should see the damage they do. Drop ducks much quicker than standard steel, for not much more of a price. I think the new non toxic loads cost WAY too much! I can shoot 3 times the amount of shells for the same price of those boxes of ten you get. Really, TEN shells?

[Svtrc51]

My wife has a 12 and a 20. 90% of the time she takes her 20 out. If they are close enough your average duck load will do the trick. The best thing that i have found for her to shoot (when i do)  Is Remington HD in 4 or 6 so you still have a decent pattern. Feels like ur shootin lead! As far as the black cloud loads for the 20 the ones i have found are 1300 or so fps. With steel speed kills.

[General Disarray]

If you're going to edit my stuff, just delete it then....

sorry for speaking my opinion.

[h2ofowlr]

20 gauges also work on deer when shooting slugs.   

[CountryslickR]

20 gauge will work fine for geese! Ive brought down many a limit of geese with at 20...plus 5 turkeys...just use 3'' and you'll do fine!