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Discussion: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge Shotgun
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misfitzseat3 |
12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge Shotgun
Jan 20 2009, 2:09 AM EST
Question: Would a 20 gauge shotgun have enough stopping power to be worth using against zombies? I have a single barrel 20 gauge shotgun and a 12 gauge over and under shotgun at home. The problem with the 20 gauge is its not a 12 gauge, the problem with the 12 gauge is its a crap load heavier...
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12 gauge vs. 20gauge
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John_234 |
1. RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge Shotgun
Jan 20 2009, 2:33 AM EST
The difference in stopping power and availability is marginal, so use whichever you can shoot better for longer.
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John_234 |
2. RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge Shotgun
Jan 20 2009, 2:35 AM EST
"Question: Would a 20 gauge shotgun have enough stopping power to be worth using against zombies? I have a single barrel 20 gauge shotgun and a 12 gauge over and under shotgun at home. The problem with the 20 gauge is its not a 12 gauge, so it does not have as much stopping power, also it is single barrel. The problem with the 12 gauge is its a crap load heavier, and its harder to open at the break... any thoughts?"I transferred over your post from the other thread and will delete it. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
CyprusBill |
3. RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge Shotgun
Jan 20 2009, 2:53 AM EST
A 20 ga. shooting either buckshot or slugs is still a crazy hard hitting gun. I wouldn't be ashamed to use one. And since everybody and his brother would be stocking up on 12 ga. ammo and it might get scarce, 20 ga. ammo might be less rare for you.
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NorCalSurvivors |
4. RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge Shotgun
Jan 20 2009, 9:20 AM EST
I'd prefer the 12 myself ... but there's nothing "wrong" with the 20.
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Legion12 |
5. RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge Shotgun
Jan 20 2009, 10:25 AM EST
I agree with NorCal, it's not so much the gauge of the shotgun but the size of the shot you put in it. If you use a 12 gauge with size 8 shot ( very small ) against a 20 gauge with 00 buck ( very Large ) the 20 will win every time.
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undeadpony |
6. RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge Shotgun
Feb 3 2009, 10:04 PM EST
i'd have to say that the only way to stop a zombiee is to destroy the brain, and the smaller gauge shot gun would do that just as well as the 12 gauge. it is also probably more accurate (for a shotgun)
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inu-dude25 |
7. RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge Shotgun
Feb 9 2009, 1:15 AM EST
Yeah, at close range 20 gauge and 12 gauge won't be noticeably different. Both will do an excellent job, and with the 20 you might get the effect of a 22 caliber round (the rounds entered but couldn't escape so they bounce around in the skull). Also, right away you answered your question. If the 20 gauge is lighter, you aren't straining to carry and aim it, which means you can maneuver it faster and handle it with more accuracy. BTW, is the 20 you have a pump action? I know you mentioned the 12 as an over and under, though you didn't specify about the 20.
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misfitzseat3 |
8. RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge Shotgun
Feb 10 2009, 1:43 AM EST
"Yeah, at close range 20 gauge and 12 gauge won't be noticeably different. Both will do an excellent job, and with the 20 you might get the effect of a 22 caliber round (the rounds entered but couldn't escape so they bounce around in the skull). Also, right away you answered your question. If the 20 gauge is lighter, you aren't straining to carry and aim it, which means you can maneuver it faster and handle it with more accuracy. BTW, is the 20 you have a pump action? I know you mentioned the 12 as an over and under, though you didn't specify about the 20."the downside to the 20 is it is a single barrel break action with a hammer. kinda slow.... 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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NorCalSurvivors |
9. RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge Shotgun
Feb 10 2009, 12:41 PM EST
Hmmm ... well, consider a few thoughts about that:Break barrel actions are famously reliable. There just isn't much to go wrong with them. How well does the ejector work? If you can get a good break/flip technique going, you might be able to reload pretty quickly with some practice. How long is the barrel? Do you find this valuable? |
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misfitzseat3 |
10. RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge Shotgun
Feb 10 2009, 12:59 PM EST
the ejector works really well. my 20 gauge is really slick, really light, really easy to handle. I have no trouble with it at all.
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CyprusBill |
11. RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge Shotgun
Feb 10 2009, 1:00 PM EST
what kind did you end up getting?
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Carnack |
12. RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge Shotgun
Feb 10 2009, 1:03 PM EST
"Question: Would a 20 gauge shotgun have enough stopping power to be worth using against zombies? I have a single barrel 20 gauge shotgun and a 12 gauge over and under shotgun at home. The problem with the 20 gauge is its not a 12 gauge, the problem with the 12 gauge is its a crap load heavier..."It really doesn't matter much unless you get hung up on every last grain of black powder. Do you find this valuable? |
Survivor_Gill |
13. RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge Shotgun
Feb 10 2009, 2:15 PM EST
20 Gauge is certainly still a solid gun. It's user preference really. I prefer the 12.
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DaveBall |
14. RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge Shotgun
Feb 10 2009, 2:22 PM EST
20 gauge is allot better for smaller people because of the less kick. I have been thinking about buying a Mossburg 590 in 20 gauge. I saw one at the gun store last week. I think it would be lighter, and easy to carry. Plus the rounds are smaller so I would be able to carry more rounds in the same space. Or I could carry the same number of rounds and leave more room for other items. Do you find this valuable? |
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NorCalSurvivors |
15. RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge Shotgun
Feb 10 2009, 2:31 PM EST
I would recommend the Mossberg 590 series or Remington 870 series as solid, dependable weapons. They are both available in 12 and 20 gauge bores.
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DaveBall |
16. RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge Shotgun
Feb 10 2009, 2:42 PM EST
I have a 2 Mossburg 500 in 12 gauge, and a Remington 870 12 gauge. I was thinking of mounting a pistol grip and using it as a back up weapon. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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misfitzseat3 |
17. RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge Shotgun
Feb 10 2009, 3:31 PM EST
"what kind did you end up getting?"hahahaha, i own both. i was just deciding between the two Do you find this valuable? |
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CyprusBill |
18. RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge Shotgun
Feb 10 2009, 5:04 PM EST
I have a Remington 870 20 ga., and if the shtf, I'd sooo love to take a saw to it and chop it down, both barrel and stock, make it my "fun gun".
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NorCalSurvivors |
19. RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge Shotgun
Feb 10 2009, 5:28 PM EST
be careful with the "hacksaw job" ... you can seriously mess up a shotgun barrell to the point where it is unreliable and DANGEROUS to the user.A little research is in order, and maybe buy a spare barrell to "practice" on/ Do you find this valuable? |
