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New hunter - 20 gauge or 12 gauge ???

armcandy
I have a buddy who is just starting to hunt. He wants to do spring turkey plus what ever small game time will allow. He needs some expert advice on what gauge shotgun he should purchase.

Would some of you experienced hunters post some reasons for one gauge or the other. I have hunted for a long time, prior to spring turkey with a 20 gauge but to me this may not be enough gun.

This is not a 12 year old boy but a good sized adult.

Any help would be appreciated.

Armcandy
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • Alpine
    12 ga is the most common, most available, least expensive ammo available for all types of game.

    You can't go wrong with a 12 ga.


    Your mileage may vary.
    "Every time a system is made foolproof - a new class of fool emerges."
    Prod Harris

    avatar.jpg

    "If you ain't got pictures, I wasn't there."
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  • D@D
    I'd also go with the 12ga. for the same reasons stated by Alpine.
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  • akordboy
    what are some other reasons to go with a 12 gauge over a 20 gauge??

    Thanks.

    Jeff
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  • mjclothiers
    More ammo to choose from I was at gander mountain trying to find some 20 ga trap loads and they were no where it be found. so i stick with my 12ga
    Cheaper ammo,
    more accesories,
    I don't know what your budget is, but if you do an o/u in a 12 gauge you can get an item called a little skeeter and you can shoot a 20GA, 28Ga, or .410 in a 12 ga gun. I shoot both 20ga shells in my 12ga o/u.
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  • akordboy
    My budget not too tight. I'm looking to spend between $300 and $400. I'm not looking to get an o/u, just something to turkey/small game hunt with. I read an article from chuck hawk and he recommended a 20 gauge for first time shotgun hunters. But I wanted to get a second opinion.

    Jeff
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  • richbug
    12 ga Mossberg 835 or a remington 870. 28" with screw in tubes. Should handle anything you want to hunt. I killed my first two turkeys with a NEF 20 ga single shot, but I was lucky. I would have had a lot more confidence if I had a had a repeating 12 ga. The other hunters teased me as I was walking out, but I was the one with a bird and a $60 gun. They had $500 guns and no birds. The 3 1/2" guns give you the ability to use the heavier loads for turkey and waterfowl, but still use 2 3/4" loads for small game and fooling arround.

    For the money the mossberg is excellent, and have money left for a couple cases of shells.

    My border collie is smarter than your honor student.
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  • akordboy
    I was considering getting a Mossberg 500. I was out at Gander Mountain last night and they had a Benelli Nova 20 gauge with a slug barrel. They were asking $512 for it. I was also looking at a Charles Daly Field Hunter. From what I understand, it's not a bad shotgun.

    Jeff
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  • gearheaddad
    12 gauge for turkey. for all the same reasons given above. I use a 12ga. for ducks, geese, and turkeys, a 28gauge for everything else. A 12 gauge is the easiest to find ammo for in every size shot especially the turkey loads. a 20 is the second easiest. If I was to only have one gun it would be a 12gauge. It's the only way to start and you can do quite well in that price range.
    Just my two cents...........As my Grandfather would say "Sounds like alot of thinking going on, Don't forget to aim"

    Ed Konopasek
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  • Alpine
    The most important quality I look for in a shotgun is fit. A shotgunn is a pointing gun with your eye as the rear sight. If it fits you will hit what your looking at.

    Your mileage may vary.
    "Every time a system is made foolproof - a new class of fool emerges."
    Prod Harris

    avatar.jpg

    "If you ain't got pictures, I wasn't there."
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  • richbug
    Gander mt has the Nova's with a 24" VR barrel in camo for $369 in the flyer that came today.

    My border collie is smarter than your honor student.
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