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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 148 Likes: 108
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 148 Likes: 108 |
After a long wait, my new 20 arrived today. It fits well and should be fun on a covey rise. I may try it out on ducks later on, though it won’t be a regular for such. It weighs about 5 3/4 pounds, so I probably shouldn’t use too heavy of a load. Here are the gun’s specs. Some of you fellows really know your stuff. Suggestions? ![[Linked Image from hosting.photobucket.com]](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/ad1/springhillfarms/940230DB-7CAA-4AF2-907A-19BCDB84031F.jpeg)
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,271 Likes: 521
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,271 Likes: 521 |
Well, that’s obviously a very nice gun. It was made to be a game gun, not a heavy fowling piece. No fleur de lis steel shot proof mark, also Notice the 950 bar proof…..for duck loads, you’d want the barrels proofed just a bit higher, usually in the 1200 bar range. The 2 3/4” chambers will also limit what loads you can shoot out of your gun. If you were planning on shooting steel, that really limits your options. Non-tox like TM or Bismuth gives you a few options, just remember that larger shot rarely patterns well out of a 20 bore.
What kind of ducks? Teal, gadwall, woodies, Widgeon you should be fine if your in reasonable range and using a high quality, moderate velocity non-tox like Tm or bismuth.
Unless you had a spot where you can shoot big ducks within 15 to 20 yards, I’d probably hold off and use a different gun capable of using more efficient loads.
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2 members like this:
spring, Stanton Hillis |
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,154 Likes: 1152
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,154 Likes: 1152 |
I'd agree the everything Dustin said.
Being from GA you will likely be using it on woodies, maybe a few early teal, and possibly gadwall as they have become more prevalent here over the last 10 years. I will be doing a bit of experimenting on woodies myself with a 20 this year. I don't recall ever using a 20 for ducks, but I bought 14 boxes of 20 ga. NiceShot and bismuth a few months ago from a friend, with the intent of trying my Parker 20 on them. I have no intention of ever using steel loads with a 20 for ducks.
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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1 member likes this:
spring |
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 148 Likes: 108
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 148 Likes: 108 |
Yes, we hunt woodies; usually about once a week during the season. Shots aren't that tough and easily manageable with a 20. I won't be using this gun regularly on ducks, which lets me consider a legal load besides steel. I use Hevi-Metal a good bit ordinarily, but bismuth or tungsten might be good for the bit I'll be using this gun. I'm mostly trying to be conscious of finding a modest load for a lighter gun. ![[Linked Image from hosting.photobucket.com]](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/ad1/springhillfarms/10F35DAB-1339-4ECA-91BE-A4727C20EDFE.jpeg)
Last edited by spring; 09/21/21 07:04 PM.
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1 member likes this:
Stanton Hillis |
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,154 Likes: 1152
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,154 Likes: 1152 |
Beautiful picture, spring. That's a pile of woodies, and some fine eatin'. And some fine shooting too, downing only three hens out of 17 woodies.
20 gauge loads would be fine on most of the woodies I shoot, with the exception of jump shooting them on creeks from my kayak.
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 148 Likes: 108
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 148 Likes: 108 |
It's a fun spot, Stanton. We usually have 6 hunters each time though sometimes let it ease up to 8. It's pretty much a social event with Jimmy Dean sausage biscuits being regular post hunt cuisine..... ![smile smile](/forums/images/graemlins/default/smile.gif)
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 824 Likes: 36
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 824 Likes: 36 |
Bismuth 5's and you will be in love with it.
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 148 Likes: 108
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 148 Likes: 108 |
I just checked with the dealer and he said that since the gun won't be getting a heavy diet of duck loads that he thought one-ounce shells would be just fine. I would have to think that finding 1 once loads would be easier than 7/8s.....
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 445 Likes: 47
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 445 Likes: 47 |
Vic, if you can find them the Kent Bismuth Upland would be acceptable in your H&H. The 20 gauge load is 1 ounce at 1200 fps and I would choose #5 shot.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,154 Likes: 1152
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,154 Likes: 1152 |
Wow, shooting woodies with a new H & H, and bismuth................... now that's high cotton.
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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