doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Europe and the 20 gauge?

The contemporary popularity of the 20 gauge seems to predominantly reside in North American, or at least not in the U.K. or the rest of Europe. A "continental" friend of mine tells me that while the 12 gauge is ubiquitous, he rarely sees 20 gauges. Can anyone elaborate on this phenomenon?

We have cheap 20 g ammo?

I have to agree with Chuck. In my own case, even when I had a lot more money then I do today, I hated buying 16 gauge and .410 ammo because I could see no justification for the ammo's higher prices other than manufacturers greed. I simply felt I was being screwed.

Steve

Where did the European makers get the idea that we all want only 3" 20s? I haven't fired one in years. (Although this may be a blessing in disguise with CA's new nontoxic shot laws coming....).

I suspect greed had little to do with it.

Vastly smaller quantities, tougher to sell to dealers, slower inventory turns for both manufacturer and retailer. This stuff all adds up. Including the comparison to 12 gauge when, because of its widespread dominance in the marketplace, it's often used as a lost leader/promotional item.

You are more likely to have underpaid for 12 gauge than overpaid for 16 gauge.

Another consideration is that throughout Europe The Brown Hare ( Lepus lepus) is considered shotgun quarry. Females average 3.71kg/ 8.2#. It requires a substantial shot charge to dispatch them humanely, most European 20ga loads would be woefully inadequate for this quarry which is quite prized in the Kitchen.

It is also considered a real pest by farmers. Hunters who do not rid a farmers land of hares will not be hunting there for long.

Pete

Given the hare problem is it probable that the 3" 20 was introduced there partly to provide a heavier load for that purpose?

I have seen hares cited as one reason for the tight chokes on Euro guns meant for Euro use, along with foxes and the several species of black grouse, which they take like we do turkeys. And I notice that most of the few 20s that are offered for European use are 3" chambered.

20 bore guns in over and under are becoming increasingly popular in the UK especially in longer barrels 30" and 32"

Yes, I see plenty of 20 bores here in the U.K. although the 12 is the most popular. Quite a few use the popular Beretta O/U 20's. What you won't see is anyone using 20's with 3" ammunition. British side by side 20's are light weight guns for firing a standard load of 13/16th. ounce. Anyone wanting to fire more than 1 ounce goes to a 12 bore. You might get some of the Beretta users loading up with 1 ounce loads for driven pheasant or something. I think that any 3" 20 coming from Europe will mainly be for the American market. Lagopus.....