doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 2 3/4" 20 ga versus 2 1/2" 12 ga?

Both can be found in SXS shotguns weighing under or just above 6 pounds-making for a great all day carry shotgun.

What say ye? Which would you choose for upland bird hunting in a SXS and why?

12 all day long. Ballistically superior. More versatile in regards to shot charge weights, etc.

A 6 lb. 2 3/4" SxS would be a delight to carry in the woods. I personally feel that 7/8 or 1 oz. of shot would pattern somewhat better from a 12 bore compared to a 20. I know that 2 1/2" 12 bore guns can be very light for carry, as I just picked up a Churchill 2 1/2" 12 that weighs 5 lb. 12 oz. I'll be able to handle that all day in the U.P. woods this fall.
Besides, 2 1/2" ammo is available and I just wanted an unmolested 2 1/2" English gun because I don't have one. I just wanted one, we'll see how that goes.....
Karl

LeFusil is right, as far as he goes. BUT.....the ballistic superiority is really an illusion. I can kill anything but pheasants and ducks just as dead with a 7/8 oz in a 20, and I don't want to shoot stiff loads in a light gun. The big factor for me is that light 20's are far more available in low priced guns. My light gun, an SKB 100, has been with me for almost 15 years (I'm 74 now.). It weighs 5 lb. 12 oz. It cost the princely sum of $925 used, and is probably still worth $750 with all the scratches I've put on it. And most importantly, I didn't have to worry about it when I carried it in the swamp, in the rain, or on rocky slopes. That wouldn't have been true for any 2 1/2 inch 12 that I am aware of. They tend to be pricey!

For shooting 1 ounce loads, I like a 16 or 12 weighing an ounce or three either side of 6 pounds. My two 20s are about 8 ounces lighter than that, and I generally feed them 7/8 oz loads. As LF & Danross point out, the larger bores are ballistically superior, at least in principle, for a 1-oz payload, but even that notion probably falls apart against the variability of borings and patterns. In the end, it comes down to the individual gun, what you want to do with it, how well it fits, and personal preference. Danross's SKB sounds like a a great field gun, but 2.5" chambered light 12s and 16s can be found at pretty reasonable prices, especially in the form of French boxlocks.

It's possible some day I'll find a 6-pound 20 I just can't resist, but I'd be surprised to see it happen. I'd be more likely to be smitten by something quite at the opposite end of the spectrum--like this: http://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-fo...un_id=100983892 Note that's not 5# 15oz but 5# 1.5oz! For me, that would be a 3/4 oz gun.

A smaller bore shotgun will never be ballisticly superior to a larger bore. You can push it to get real close but it never catches up. Light weight guns are great with light weight charges but can turn unpleasant with heavy ones.

From a personal choice I'd pick the 12 with 2 1/2" chambers or even 2 3/4" chambers. More shell flexibility and easier for me to reload. But if you like the 20 or 16 more just use it and be happy. You can do just about the same with all three if you limit your range and adjust your shells to match your game. Plus you will find many times more 12's than 16 or 20's to choose from.

bill,
Now that's dainty. I would think that 2" ammo a little more scarce than 2 1/2".
Karl

It wouldn't be the 2 1/2" twelve. I've had a nice English I. Hollis for many years, and killed a lot of birds with it, but it just doesn't do it for me. I haven't shot it in 15 years, and I've got 2 1/2" shells on hand for it. The superiority of the patterns, which is real in theory, doesn't always pan out on the plate. Usually it ( the 12) has an edge, but guns are individuals and don't always follow our nicely written rules.

I can kill a limit of doves or quail with a .410, as I can with a 20, or a light 12. I have doubles in every common gauge from 67 through 12. Which one I take has nothing at all to do with the possible superiority of it, and everything to do with what I want to enjoy that day. I do not advocate undergunning, in gauge or load, but within reason it's usually moot. Put the bird in the pattern, within range, and it dies.

SRH

Gun fit is, or maybe more important than gauge. Then choke, and main birds hunted. A 12 with cylinder chokes won't be as useful on pheasants hunted over flushing dogs, as a 20 with tight chokes. ymmv

Yes, indeed. I'll bet you'd notice those 15/16-oz 2" RST loads through that gun! It's actually too light to really peak my interest. I know lots of guys do fine on grouse and woodcock with 3/4 oz loads out of any gauge from 28 to 12, but 7/8 oz is about as light as I like to go on game. Again, personal preference and comfort levels.