This is an article that highlights the best 20 gauge shotgun. It features background information about the caliber and the platform and highlights 6 shotguns that are considered among the best 20 gauge shotguns available. We want to showcase the 20 gauge for what it is and what it can do for you as a hunter, or other type of shooter. 20 gauge shells are available with most shot sizes up to steel #2 or lead #4, which is probably the largest size practical for the bore, even in the 3' magnum shell. #9, 8, 7 1/2, and 6 are all practical in any 20 gauge shell, with #8 being the most common target load, and #7 1/2 being an excellent choice for most upland game hunting. Estate Heavy Target Load 20 Gauge 2-3/4' 1 oz #6 Shot- Box of 25. Estate Heavy Target Load 20 Gauge 2-3/4' 1 oz #6 Shot- Case. The recoil of the 20 gauge is described by many shooters as about 50 percent of a 12 gauge when fired out of a shotgun of the same type. The 20 gauge enjoys another advantage in that the gun itself can be lighter than the large shotguns, without worrying about an increase in recoil.
- Waltr 2 6 20 Gauge Shotgun
- Waltr 2 6 20 Gauge Shotgun Shells
- Waltr 2 6 20 Gauge 18.5
- Waltr 2 6 20 Gauge Buckshot
Upland Delight: The 20 Gauge
By Chuck Hawks
The 20 gauge has a nominal bore diameter of .615 inch. It is the Queen of upland guns and also widely used for skeet and sporting clays shooting, for which there are special 20 gauge events. It is also an excellent shotgun for the beginning shooter. 20 gauge shells are very widely distributed and available at relatively low cost. Marvelous designer 7 full crack macos version.
20 gauge guns come in every style, from inexpensive single shot models to the most elaborate and expensive double guns, with the popular pump and autoloading models priced somewhere in between. Most 20 gauge guns offer moderate recoil and good performance in a handy, reasonably lightweight package.
Lightweight can, however, be carried too far. Blogtouch for blogger 2 1 0. A 20 gauge gun should weigh 6.5 to 7 pounds to minimize recoil. Beware of extremely lightweight 20's, as they can kick like the devil.
A 6.5 pound 20 gauge gun is heavy enough to swing smoothly and light enough to get into action quickly. It is not burdensome for the great majority of shooters to carry. With their modest size barrels and receivers, most 20 gauge guns are well balanced. Svelte 20 gauge guns make the larger and heavier 12 gauge guns seem awkward by comparison. With 7/8 ounce loads the recoil of a 20 gauge gun is noticeably less than that of 16 and 12 gauge guns of similar weight, which ordinarily shoot at least 1 ounce of shot.
There are a wide variety of shot shells available in 20 gauge, making it suitable for everything from skeet shooting to hunting water fowl. 20 gauge hulls are 2 3/4 inches or 3 inches in length.
20 gauge shells are available with most shot sizes up to steel #2 or lead #4, which is probably the largest size practical for the bore, even in the 3' magnum shell. #9, 8, 7 1/2, and 6 are all practical in any 20 gauge shell, with #8 being the most common target load, and #7 1/2 being an excellent choice for most upland game hunting.
Waltr 2 6 20 Gauge Shotgun
The standard light target load is 7/8 ounce of #8 or #9 shot at a muzzle velocity (MV) of 1200 fps. Whatsapp 0 2 2732 – desktop client for whatsapp messenger. There is also a heavy target load with 1 ounce of #7 1/2 or #8 shot at 1165 fps.
![Waltr 2 6 20 gauge buckshot Waltr 2 6 20 gauge buckshot](https://cdn-secure.luckygunner.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/420x420/ff822fa3c3f066cced9a339fe83ea5f2/5/7/57dacb608b1cd2a9e400468bb93469eb_2.jpg)
Hunting loads are available with 7/8, 1, 1-1/8, and 1-1/4 ounces of shot. The 7/8 ounce load is the traditional 'low brass' field load, usually with #6, 7 1/2, or 8 shot at about 1200 fps. The 1 ounce load is a 'high brass' load with #4, 5, 6, 7 1/2, or 8 shot at a MV of 1220 fps.
Waltr 2 6 20 Gauge Shotgun Shells
The 1-1/8 ounce hunting load is a magnum load in the 2 3/4 inch shell, usually with #4, 6 or 7 1/2 shot at about 1300 fps. The 1-1/4 ounce load is a magnum load in a 3 inch shell using #4 or #6 shot at around 1185 fps.
There are also non-toxic steel or tungsten-iron shot loads in 2 3/4 inch cases with 3/4 ounce of shot or 3 inch cases with 1 ounce of steel shot. Remington offers a non-toxic load using 1 1/8 ounces of Hevi-Shot (tungsten-nickel iron alloy) in the 3 inch case that gets the 20 gauge back in the waterfowl game. These non-toxic loads usually have MV's in the 1300 fps range.
In recent years the 20 gauge has become popular for home defense, and there are buckshot loads available. The 3 inch case holds 24 pellets of #3 buck and the 2 3/4 inch case holds 20 pellets of the same size. The MV's are 1150 fps and 1200 fps respectively.
Waltr 2 6 20 Gauge 18.5
The 20 gauge rifled slug of the traditional Foster type weighs 3/4 ounce (Winchester) or 5/8 ounce (Federal and Remington) at a MV of 1600 fps. For hunting there are also sabot slugs weighing 5/8 ounce, but these are for use in rifled shotgun barrels only. Rifled slugs are primarily for hunting purposes.
Waltr 2 6 20 Gauge Buckshot
To summarize, 20 gauge shells are available in a wide variety of loads and at all price points and they are widely distributed. 20 gauge shotguns are usually quick handling guns of moderate weight and recoil. No wonder the 20 is the Queen of the upland guns.