12 guage or 20

[bassNspear]

just wondering what most of you shoot when it comes to deer hunting?

[PerchJerker]

The only slug gun I ever used was a 20 gauge, I used it for years and shot a number of deer with it. The 12 gauge guns I had at the time were not as good with slugs as my 20 was. Been quite a while since I slug hunted though, now all my hunting is in rifle zones.

[TrophyEyes]

12ga. The knock down is much greater. Where I hunt you do not want the deer to run off, because you will be dragging up hill all the way.

[Outfitter17]

We can use rifles up here so that's what we do, but I have had a couple of hunters bring 12 ga. with slugs and knock down a couple of deer. I don't know why you would use a 20 when you can use a 12?

Any thoughts.

[bassNspear]

i shoot a 12, and my wife shoots 20.

[Christopher Quast]

alot of guys I know use 410's which are even flatter shooting than the 20 guage and that is the main reason most people use them

[Eric Wettschreck]

I've used both. Personally, I like using 12 ga solely for the greater knock down power. Where I hunt rarely do I take a shot over 50 yards. However, I feel the 20 ga provides better accuracy. I've passed taking longer shots with my 12 that I would have no problem taking if I had a 20. While the 12 packs a bigger punch, we all know that shot placement is the key.

Most of the kids that hunt with us use a 20 ga. Pretty much cuz they are lighter to carry and don't pack the shoulder whollup of a 12. One of the kids is so tiny she has to run around in the shower to get wet. A 12 ga would knock her over.

[archerystud]

I shoot a 12 ga but I prefer my bow.

The 12 definitely has a kick when sighting in. However, I never seem to notice it when I'm shooting at a deer. My Mathews is much quieter and has less kick!

[bassNspear]

nice photo archery.

My wife doesnt have a choose, she has to shoot a 20 gauge becuase here arms are so short that she would never be able to hold a 12 up and shoot it at the same time wihtout falling on here butt.

[archerystud]

Bass & Spear,

Thanks.

BTW you may want to consider shortening the stock if she'd like to shoot a 12ga. My gun fit fine without too many clothes but on cold mornings it was tough to shoulder. I really like my Rem 1100 better since I shortend the stock.

[bassNspear]

ya i did that with the 20. Its hard to understand. Shes just over 5'0" so its tough to get a smaller gun to feel comfortable if ya know what i mean

[benelli_dude2002]

only been a few moose I shot over the years where I dropped them in their tracks and one of them was taken with a 12 ga. slug at about 30 yards. Oh yeah my Mathews worked good on moose back in '96 but it ran a little further.