12 Bore or 20 Bore? What should you buy?

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[@poemsthatdontsuck5410]

The right tool for the job. I have a 20 gauge with a short 26" barrel, which is great for flying game in brush and alders. Weighs less then 6lbs, and the shells are lighter and smaller in the pockets too. If I am in wider open spaces, my 12 gauge is a better choice. The weight of a 12 gauge makes clay shooting much easier, if you are strong enough to swing it all day. I say buy both! And while you are at it buy a nice 16 gauge for the days you can't make up your mind if you should take your 12 or 20! And, heck, buy a 28 gauge too while you are at it! (and no, I do not sell shot guns for a living :P)

[@coreybiggs8626]

Don't forget the .410 for plinking....

[@brentbusick2245]

I use my 20 for everything. Clays, quail, grouse, pheasant, geese and turkeys. My 12’s very seldom leave the gun cabinet.

[@brentbusick2245]

@Master Marc Subliminals absolutely! With the better shotshells out there now I would not hesitate to shoot a 20 gauge for anything

[@brentbusick2245]

@Master Marc Subliminals I have a Benelli M2 20 gauge

[@ronwilson3414]

More small bore competitions need. I personally shoot a lot of the small bore guns. Really enjoy the challenge with them.

[@donaldmcleod7494]

Don’t forget about us old people who’s 12ga days are over. We still love to get out shooting but don’t want the weight bulk and recoil of a 12ga.

[@elemental4rce]

if you can still afford to shoot a 20 regularly you're doing something right!

[@Turbo-wj9qc]

Here 12 and 20 have always been the same price?

[@elemental4rce]

@@Turbo-wj9qc here in the UK, the difference was around £20-30 more per 1000 for 20 but with recent price changes it's quite a bit more than that now. 28 and 16 bore are even more expensive to shoot here. It's fine if you're just shooting a few at game/pigeons etc but to shoot 100+ clays a week with a small bore nowadays is very pricey.

[@FYMM69]

@@elemental4rcehow much do you guys pay for a flat of 12 bore in England (10 boxes of 25)

[@elemental4rce]

@@FYMM69 current budget cartridges are £67. Mid range is about 75. High end, 80-85. Game cartridges start at around £80 and go up to as much as £120 depending on what you're buying

[@robfnet]

12 and a 28! Great combo and different enough to justify.

[@joeltowle2737]

Love the 20 since shoulder surgery! Miss my 16 side by side!

[@davidstrong5735]

I have gone for a couple of 20 bores As I have got older and had chemotherapy The light guns are nicer to shoot as the 12 get too heavy after a while

[@dinkone7943]

I shot a 12ga for years stared using a 20 ga about 10 years ago love them

[@garyK.45ACP]

I could never decide, so I own several of each. Plus 16, 28 gauge and .410. Better to have them and not need them, than need them and not have them. 😎 Seriously speaking, despite owning a wide variety of guns, my wife and I both use the 20 gauge guns, 7/8 oz. of shot (24 grams) much more often for skeet, 5 stand sporting clays and sporting clays than any other. The guns, ammunition and recoil are lighter, the ammunition is relatively cheap, (12 gauge is also relatively cheap) and they are just much more fun for shooting. For serious clays competition, I would use a 12 gauge (12 bore, as you say) for whatever edge it provides. 20 ga. is also my favorite for smaller bird hunting...doves, quail. For upland birds I always use a 16 gauge and for large birds...waterfowl or turkeys I use a 12 gauge. The only time I use 3" shells is for waterfowl with steel shot. Otherwise 2-3/4" shells work just fine. My 28 and .410 guns are used mostly for gauge class competition in skeet, though I have used the 28s for doves and quail and they do just fine for that also.

[@jamilalwan3327]

I have a friend that only uses his 28 ga when we go pheasant hunting in Michigan.. Now I am looking for a SxS in 28 ga

[@garyK.45ACP]

@@jamilalwan3327 I never used my 28s for pheasant, though surely they would do the job. I did use them for quail and doves and still use them for skeet. For pheasant I usually used a 16 ga. with 1-1/4oz loads of #6 shot. That's a "maximum" load in a 16 gauge. The same as the 12 ga. "heavy field" load. I have 3 16 ga. guns which are just wonderful for upland bird hunting. I just never saw a need to carry a heavier gun to shoot the same load of shot.

[@jamilalwan3327]

@@garyK.45ACP oh there is a cult of hunters that swears by the 28 gauge for pheasant hunting. I just mustered some courage and bough my first 20 gage overunder. I wanted to try something different than 12 gage. I chose the 20 ga because ammo price is same as 12. I amusing the full choke on the trap field and I’m breaking clays as much as I do with my 12 ga. That gun is becoming my favorite.

[@davidbetts480]

Yes I would like to see more smallbore competitions in the clay shooting because it is already in the game shooting so why not in the clay shooting world.

[@jam3727]

I’d love to see some 20 gauge comps, I think it would open it up to a lot more people, especially those who only shoot 20s and maybe feel out gunned on most cpsa shoots. I’d also love to find some 410 competitions as well which I’m finding difficult. I know there is the odd one but finding them is harder than you think.

[@richardminer1863]

My favorite game gun is a 28 gauge SxS w/26" barrels and double triggers. Anything with heavier loads is just a waste of lead. Also can dust clays out to 50 or 60 yards just as well as I did with my old 12 gauge, maybe better! Only downside is the availability of ammo and the added price.

[@jasonbryant3679]

I absolutely love your channel and I love 20 gauge shotguns. I’d like to see more 20 gauge competitions. I like all things that go boom but genuinely have a close place in my heart for 20’s. Please keep making video’s

[@jamilalwan3327]

love my Browning 725 sporting in 20 ga that I just purchased last month,, I have 4 12 ga shotguns in my safe and now every time I go shooting I find myself picking up that 725 in 20 ga.. Something about it that I am shooting a smaller bore on the trap field .. Makes me feel I am enjoying a challenge more.. Now I am thinking of buying a 28 gage, maybe next summer. the price of 12 ga ammo and 20 ga ammo is the same in the USA, but 28 ga and 16 ga costs 50% more and 410 costs even more almost double the price of 12 ga, making it a little more economical challenge to go to smaller bore beyond the 20 ga.

[@johndavis3399]

As a side note to the topic- what are the best 7/8 or 1 Oz economical light load cartridges - (not necessarily the cheapest) but fiber wad any clay shoot to get in the feel of a new gun with?

[@Scooter-dm3qo]

David, here in the USA our Skeet competitions are 4 caliber affairs, with 12, 20, 28, and 410 events. Note, you can shoot larger caliber events with a small bore shotgun, a fellow on my squad shoots 28 gage in the 12, 20, and 28 gage events because he's done enough shooting that he can no longer tolerate the recoil of the 12 gauge. As for the 20, he has a real dislike for that particular caliber. BTW he won the State Championship for the 28 gauge last August, so his is rather good with the 28. As for me, I started getting serious about Skeet in 2021, before that I shot Trap. Started out trying to shoot the small bores with tubes and found out at my first registered shoot that I'm just too old to swing a telephone pole around for 300 rounds. So I sold the tubes to my squad mate and purchased a Beretta Silver Pigeon III Sporting in 410/28. Skeet practice for me now starts with 2-3 rounds shooting the 410 do develop my precision and then I step up to the 28. I'll also take out the 28 to shoot Sporting Clays and it's been rather surprising how many other shooters I come across using the 28. As for why, carry 100 rounds of ammunition with the 28 and then the 12 and you'll understand.

[@stephenland9361]

I've read that the classic British driven game gun for grouse, the 12 bore side by side which was very light (around seven pounds or less) was just the ticket. Early in the game, they were chambered for 2 1/2 in cartridges which held one ounce or even 7/8 ounces of shot. This gave a shorter shot column height and also reduced recoil compared to modern 2 3/4 or 3 inch shells with 1 1/2 or more ounces of shot. Patterns were also better, more uniform and this gave excellent results on grouse. Today, a lot of 20 gauge shells have the same shot and powder loads as the 12 gauge shells of yesteryear. They kick a little harder and with longer shot columns, give less uniform patterns. I got some of the 2 1/2 inch, 7/8 ounce shot load 12 gauge shells for grouse and haven't looked back. As for busting clays, well that's another matter entirely.

[@dave_724]

could you not hold a semi auto comp at oxford this summer along with a small bore comp i think there would be a lot of interest barbary have the benelli SP auto comp this summer

[@r.parker1933]

Hard for me to choose. So, I have a 12 woth fixed double full chokes for trap and a 20 with changeable thin wall choke tubes that most gets used for clays. The slightly thicker barrels for choke tubes on the 20 make it ever so slightly heavier and actually quite smooth to swing. I may open up the 12 or have it threaed for tubes, too. I pretty much only shoot clays. If I could afford to shoot 16 at same cost, I'd probably only ever use it. But they're pricey to buy and loading components aren't much cheaper here these days.

[@leifnelson6705]

Yes on more 20g or smaller bore clay competitions. As a owner/shooter of the full gauge spectrum, it’s the person holding the gun not the gauge that makes a difference in clays.

[@nathanfrisby3133]

Just got my 20ga Yildiz o/u really looking to get into shooting more.

[@jaysilber910]

If you’re hunting, do you really need the extra pellets and recoil of a 12 bore? A 20 bore has served me well.

[@keithhaynes8079]

Thank you again David, sorry to say I will not be able to see yourself and Alex at the show due to myself unable to walk still waiting for knee op 1 year on now.

[@MrIronforce]

Hello interesting Video what about effective range of both , if any 35 Yrds pattern test can be made Video

[@rastamoose]

Im getting a 20 for christmas, its a good gun i can tell you that, its a lincoln vogue and when i tested it with a box of 25 cartridges i hit 23. I am exited for this christmas because then i can finally take my own gun that isnt a .410. My 410 is a good gun also, side by side double trigger. Not sure what it is.

[@dandylion1987]

12. 20 is bloody expensive to feed !

[@jasonpacheco6725]

Arthritic shoulders here, I'll take a 20 gauge all day long. As some have pointed quite popular here in the states for skeet

[@jamesmunn1790]

Once the UK switch permanently to steel the 20b pay load becomes a limitation to consider for game.

[@wimjonckheerr5065]

We have been shooting steel permanently for over 20 years now. 20ga, 24grams of steel of 25 grams of copper shot do the job just as well for birds.

[@ANDY-bs4cq]

Interesting clip title!!

[@seibrav]

I bought a 525 elite sporting 12/28 with a 20 gauge tube set. I just leave the tubes in. Great for trap and hunting. If I need the 12, I just take the tubes out.

[@christopherhindle1174]

Many shooters of game use 28gm cartridges from both 12 and 20 bores, shooting the same shot load and velocity should provide no advantage or disadvantage between the two. The 20 bore is lighter to carry, and more cartridges can be carried in the pocket for the same volume. So, it all comes down to personal preference rather than field performance.

[@jrb6610]

How about a .410 competition?

[@andycarless9069]

My Lad Who is Nearly 21 Loves His Franchi 20g And Wont Up Grade To A 12G

[@thegreenlaser215]

12 and 20 are the standards, but I wish the European gauges of 24 gauge and 32 gauge were offered in the US. I would like at least one of each of the modern gauges.

[@Beowulf395]

my game gun is a 16 side x side. if i want to shot competition it's my 12

[@glenncabot7994]

Get both.

[@Turbo-wj9qc]

Shotguns go in order by gauge from most fun by far with the 410 to still fun but not nearly as much with 12ga. Sporting clays with 12 or even 20 doesn't interest me anymore other than I have alot more 20ga shells than 410 or 28ga.

[@kerm9807]

20b competition please Boss

[@michaelplank8966]

Its a mith its all in your head a 20 shoots as well but the pattern is not as big but theres no recoil in a semi auto and at 5 half pound its light any competition will have closer staition for a 20 compared with farther away for the cannon

[@billturner2370]

I love all gauges but the 20 is my go to gauge for hunting.

[@stuart7403]

I use a 12 bore because I don't want people to think I have a small personality.

[@tomski0007]

If your going to have a shotgun licence. I think you'd be doing it a injustice not to learn to shoot all types of shotguns and bores. Having said that all my guns are 12g but am thinking of getting a 20g. Is there any reason you couldn't use on a cpsa shoot. Are they able to hit the further out targets. Was considering a 20g semi auto. Anyone know if they cycle ok.

[@tonymorgan3526]

Great video, is there that much of a difference in price 12g or 20g, then as have just read some of the comments

[@TSCTheshootingchannel]

Thanks for the nice comment and not really no. TSC Team

[@elemental4rce]

@@TSCTheshootingchannel yes really yes. cheapest 12 being around £50 per 250 vs £70 per 250 for 20 bores

[@dave_724]

I hate paying for 20 bore cartridges when a smaller load in a 12 bore will do the same job the only use for a small gauge is for game a bit of fun or for someone who hasn’t got the strength yet

[@owencarlucci6959]

20 gauge is the way to go, if you can only afford to have 1 gun to do it all like myself then get a 20. You want the loghter gun to walk in the field and as long as you are a good shot the minor difference in pattern density will make no difference on a clay coarse. People love to talk up 12 gauge when in reality they shoot the same velocity just have a slightly denser pattern which is no issue if you are a good shot.

[@06triton06]

Just about every shoot we shoot in the US has a sub gauge competition after the main competition

[@jamilalwan3327]

except for trap

[@06triton06]

@@jamilalwan3327 you are correct I mainly just shoot sporting clays

[@jrb6610]

12 gauge US, 12 bore UK. 12 gauge ammo is much easier to find in the US. Little more of a spread with the 12.

[@tomhman6441]

You are just wrong. I have been shooting a 20 gauge for almost 30 years now. Once I started using my 20 side by side I almost never shot my 12 s. Now I enjoy my 16s as much as my 20s.

[@DannyBrooks1]

Buy both

[@janroclawski331]

Check the subtitles, there is definitely something lost in translation!!

[@johndavis3399]

I think I would like a 20 for clays as a fun shooter but I think 20 is actually more expensive to shoot- which is a shame

[@richardtimms8733]

My partner shoots a Beretta 686 Silver pigeon 20 bore at clays, breaks them just the same as my 12, person behind it not the gun.

[@lars9022]

Subtítulos en español por favor!!!

[@michaelplank8966]

As you can see by the comments its the 20 which is the winner the twelve is heavy kicky and hard to handle compared with a 20

[@paulbryan1013]

Much wider variety of 12 bore cartridges 21 g upwards and cheaper too my three shotguns are all 12s one is a really lightweight sxs it works for me that doesn't mean it's right just my opinion

[@shaunjenkins763]

I have a 20 bore rather shoot that than a 12 bore yeah 20 bore clay comp be good idea

[@hushpowershotguns2893]

2022 weight isn’t a thing between the 2 anymore. Can get a 12 that’s lighter than a 410 let alone a 20.. you can get a 20 that fits your hands like a 12 and other way round. Patterns. Price in carts. And weight of carts is the 3 big ones.

[@rogerrhodes2333]

I grew up always using a 20 bore. When I bought my first 12 bore, at around age 57, I was embarrassed as I thought it was cheating while hunting and while shooting clays. I only bought it because I got a tremendous deal at a store going out of business. I like it now (Silver Pigeon) and actually enjoy both the 12 bore and an over/under

[@sofalugger]

Stick with12`s Cheaper Cartridges!!!

[@kevinbietry7527]

The correct answer is always going to be16 gauge unless you shoot trap/skeet.

[@lamproslampros9770]

Baby Bretton from France 12 bore 2.3 kg.

[@richardbrown4294]

Bear in mind the cost of cartridges, 12 bore are cheaper.

[@devonland9234]

I disagree you don't see many 20's on the clay ground. Several places I go at least 1/4 use 20's. You get used to the weight and there is no issue controlling the gun. I would never go back to a lumpy 12 OU, side by side yes.

[@kennethsharp9219]

Looking for my first shotgun. Still cannot decide between 20 vs 12. You say 20 is not a girl's or child's gun then you talk about being good for them. Watching you shoot both and you seem to be just as good with either. The extra weight of the 12 doesn't seem to really help in your demo as you were hitting the clays with every shot. So why wouldn't shooter prefer to cary around a lighter gun? I recently shot my first round of clay using both a 12 and 20. I came away thinking I could go shooting all day long with the 20 and maybe a hour or two with the 12.

[@andrewgomm3164]

Both you can never have enough shotguns.

[@michal.abramowicz]

12ga. Always. Cheaper ammo. For kids. My kids are too small now. So no shotgun for them. Until 2028.

[@robbieandbeckie]

Get a sixteen and forget about it.

[@buckan8r999]

Neither, 28 Bore for me.

[@Vapourwear]

20 gauge is God’s gauge; change my mind.

[@Jolly56Roger]

!2 bore all the time , 20 bore a waist of time to expensive 😜😜