The range for the 1 ounces for a 20 gauge will be less than the same sized load in aġ2-gauge. The standard shot load for a 2-guage is 7/8 ounces and you can load one ounce shot up to 1 Many hunters willĬhoose a 20-gauge over a 12 based on the recoil and lightweight especially when they expect to The weapon is also an ideal homeĭefense shotgun, and typically, in home defense range is not a critical factor. The range according to some is more thanĪdequate for most bird hunting to include duck hunting. Hunting, hunting in general and for skeet shooting. The bore diameter of a 20-gauge is 0.615 inches/15.6 millimeters. Because the heavier loads carry more pellets, avid bird hunters choose the 12-gaugeīecause more pellets mean more contact with the bird. You can load 1 ¼ as well for longer rangeĪnd heavier birds but once again the recoil with the heavier load will be considerable for some The standard 12-gauge load is 1 1/8 ounces of shot. The point where they cannot be used as a food source and the skins would be unusable as well. The heavier loads may very well destroy the animal to Small game such as rabbits and squirrels. Gauge otherwise, you would need to have a 20-Gauge available or have both weapons availableīecause of the heavier loads in a 12-gauge you have to know the damage the loads will do to Young adults and others must be able to tolerate the recoil of a 12 If there is more than one person in the home that may use a shotgun as a home defense weapon Tolerate the recoil on the practice range may find it more difficult as the hunting trip gets longer Is something that must be considered for extended hunting trips. The recoil can be considerable for anyone when using certain shells. Physically smaller individuals may find the Hunting and skeet shooting because of its range. The 12-gauge is chosen for migratory bird Range is usually longer and it will have greater recoil.
The 12-gauge is the larger of the two with a bore diameter of 0.73 inches/18.5 millimeters. In a 20 gauge, 20 lead balls can be made from one pound of lead. In a 12 gauge, 12 lead balls can be made from one pound of lead. The part where people get confused is about the number “12” and 20.” If a 20 gauge is smaller than a 12 gauge, then what does the 20 signify? Well these numbers actually refer to the number of solid spherical balls the same diameter as the inside of the barrel that can be made from one pound of lead. If you are delicate or have poor balance then you might want to stick with the 20 gauge shotgun. Remember that recoil is the kickback you get from firing a weapon. A 12 gauge shell contains more gunpowder, so it will have a lot more recoil. A 20 gauge shell will contain less gunpowder, which means it won’t recoil as much when fired. Now when it comes to the ammunition and the shooting experience of each one, you have to consider the recoil and the number of spherical projectiles from the shells. Do not try to mix the 12 gauge shells with a 20 gauge gun, or vice versa, because it could damage the weapon as a result. This makes the 12 gauge bigger than the 20 gauge.
The 20 gauge has a diameter of 15.6 mm, or. The 12 gauge has a diameter of 18.5 mm, or. Shotguns come in different size gauges which determine the size of its ammunition. The gauge is the diameter of the bore, which is the hollow part of the barrel. The most common shotgun ammunition is the 12 gauge and the 20 gauge. What is the difference between 12 gauge and 20 gauge shells? Shotgun Ammunition Explained Shotgun gauge.