Along with new finishes and packages for the 12-gauge model, Mossberg has developed an all-new 20-gauge version of 590 Shockwave. If a 12 gauge for home defense works for you, great; if a 20 gauge for home defense works for you, that’s great, too. First off, let’s assume that you’ve evaluated your situation and have determined that a shotgun is best for your personal home defense needs (versus a handgun or a rifle). All these choices give the user the ability to use one shotgun for a wide variety of purposes: hunting, home defense, sporting, and more. More is more, in this – this size is on the small end of the spectrum and primarily used by upland bird hunters due to its mobility and weight. #1 buck cannot be packed correctly for 20 gauge so its only available for 12 gauge, but is hard to find. Then we’ll explore their applications, like sporting clays, waterfowl hunting, and home defense. payload being used in the 20 gauge, and an 1-1/8 oz load being used in the 12 gauge. Surprisingly enough, analogous 12 Gauge and 20 Gauge shotshells are comparably priced. Many people prefer the 20-gauge when target shooting because of the recoil advantage. Our experts are ready to help you by phone or email, Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm (CT). Receive email updates regarding upcoming sales, trade-shows, BANISH Suppressors and industry news. Yet the 12 Gauge has a trick up its sleeve. This gives you 20% more pellets at only 10% less density at 50% of the recoil. Turkeys aren’t moving at speeds that dove and ducks are, so you can get away with a heavier shot.. Several people will use 12 gauge loads for big game hunting as well. Here are the different gauges available on the market, in order of largest to the smallest caliber. A 12 gauge shotgun fires a bigger cartridge than a 20 gauge shotgun. #2 buck is almost as good (larger wound channel but slightly less penetration) and while #2 seems hard to find for 12 gauge, its readily available for 20 gauge. We’ll look at situations where 12 might be better than 20, or the other way around. One of the best parts about a shotgun is its versatility. This is, by far, the most complex topic on the list when trying to determine what gauge shotgun to use. 4 buckshot load holding 27 pellets, launched at 1,100 to 1,200 fps. A 12 gauge shotgun load is heavier and delivers more power than 20 gauge ammo does. Not to mention shot sizes and deciding between high and low brass. This means there’s good news and bad news. Please enable JavaScript in your browser. As a result, a 12 gauge is typically better equipped to take larger game. But a trim, light 20 gauge might get you on target faster and more precisely. A shotgun’s gauge utilizes a far more archaic and inconvenient system. For most American shooters that choice comes down to 12 Gauge vs 20 Gauge. I prefer the larger shot size (4 shot) and heavier loads when hunting gobblers. This is the same as it is with handgun or rifle hunting. If you’ve ever bought fish hooks, you know that larger numbers actually correspond to smaller hooks. 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. | Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Sat. 12 and 20 gauge are by far the most commonly used shotgun gauges. They can be stored easier and are lighter to hold and maneuver with short notice. Finally, the 20 Gauge gets a leg up in this face-off! In a 12 gauge shell, it will take 12 spherical balls (or shot or pellets or projectiles) of equal size and weight, to equal one pound of shot. The 20 gauge with #13 shot throws out 10.30 caliber pellets versus a 12 gauge with 00 buckshot with 8 pellets of.33 caliber. Many people described the recoil as half of that of a 12 gauge. – a rare size to find anymore but a 16 is right in the middle of the road for size. I think nowadays they can put almost as much powder in a 20 Gauge shell as in a 12 Gauge. In this scenario, a 12 gauge shotgun will have better overall performance than a 20 gauge. However, there are plenty of people who play the game with a 20 gauge shotgun, too. A 9mm pistol intuitively has a bore diameter of 9mm. If we were to fire it out of a 7 lb Winchester Model 101 Field, it would generate 13.9 ft lbs recoil energy. Normally, I’m a big fan of this kind of thing. We’ll go over the differences in their ammo and performance. A 12 gauge shotgun load is heavier and delivers more power than 20 gauge ammo does. We’ve decided to focus on one aspect of shotgun choice: the gauge, or shell size. Today, FFL123 and Silencer Central are industry leaders in both FFL licensing assistance and silencer sales. Registered Pharmacist, Firearms Business Consultant, FFL Class 3 Firearms Dealer, Firearms Manufacturer, and of Silencer Central. You want to be absolutely sure that you can handle the gun safely and effectively. Shotgun gauges follow the same logic. But cents turn into dollars, and dollars add up, so it’s worth pointing out. A 16 Gauge shotgun’s barrel would conveniently hold a one ounce lead ball. The type of game you’re hunting will help determine the size shotgun you’ll want to use. Whether you’re hunting, busting clays, or defending your home, those reductions can be very beneficial. You would expect a 12 Gauge shell which contains more lead, brass, plastic and propellant to cost more, but perhaps its greater popularity compensates for that disparity. Home. The 12 gauge has a diameter of 18.5 mm, or .729 inches. Performance is subjective and it has a lot of variables, which leads us to our next topic: applications. 12ga. This makes the 12 gauge bigger than the 20 gauge. Shotgun Weight: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge The internal diameter of a 20-gauge barrel is 0.114 inch smaller than a 12 gauge, which corresponds to … Average 12 gauge target loads contain 29% more pellets than 20 gauge loads. What Are Tracer Rounds and Are They Legal? There’s less recoil, but reduced lethality, in a 20 gauge. The younger generation and new hunters seems to take to the 20 gauge because its a lighter gun. The 12 Gauge and the 20 Gauge are the most popular shotguns for good reason. But at its core, the winner of the 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge debate depends heavily on which you prefer: greater power, or more manageable recoil. We’ve narrowed it down to the two most popular gauges for shotguns: 12 gauge and 20 gauge. If you would prefer a shotgun with less recoil for better comfort, easier follow-up shots, or to train a younger shooter, then the 20 Gauge is your shell. News. The 12-gauge is simply too large for the 20-gauge to stand a chance in this area, as the 12-gauge delivers more speed and power to the target. It might sound strange, given the latter being the default shotgun for all purposes. Give us a call or email and we can help you pick the right one. With the recent surge in gun sales, ammo prices have risen sharply over the past year. You do sacrifice some things for that power 12 gauge shotguns have more recoil than 20 gauge and the firearm itself is more of a burden to carry. We’ll take a look at cost, recoil, performance, and uses to help you determine which one might better suit your needs. For the sake of discussion let’s say all the 12 Gauge shells compared earlier have 18 grains of powder and are being fired from a 110 ounce Winchester SXP; the 20 Gauge shells have 15 grains of powder and are being fired from a 104 ounce Winchester SXP. Unfortunately, there aren’t a whole lot of options on the market for shotgun suppressors. This video is my 2 cents on the debate of which is better for home defense..... the 20 gauge or the 12 gauge. As you can see in the photo below comparing 12 gauge vs 20 gauge shells, 20 gauge shells are considerably smaller than 12 gauge shells. If we were to fire it out of a 7 lb Winchester Model 101 Field, it would generate 13.9 ft lbs recoil energy. Second, lesser recoil helps a shooter line up their follow-up shots more quickly. As a result, you’ll probably want to use a 20 gauge for this kind of hunt. Its more pain (recoil) without any real gain, IMHO. But his isn’t to suggest that the 20 Gauge is a weakling. Because a 12 gauge shotgun shell has more volume than a 20 gauge shotgun shell, it fits more powder and bigger projectiles. However, packing a punch at a long-range might not be why you’re using the shotgun. Here’s where the 12 Gauge truly outclasses the 20 Gauge: Because the larger shell’s projectile(s) can be so much heavier, the 12 Gauge consistently packs a much heartier wallop than the 20 Gauge possibly could. 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive Ste. This is where we can talk about the many benefits of a silencer. Squirrel Hunting Tips – 9 Tactics for Success. If this is confusing, think about car brands as an example. In this scenario, a 12 gauge shotgun will have better overall performance than a 20 gauge. You’re not putting yourself at a disadvantage if you select it for personal protection. Much better for a home defense gun is a 20 gauge. Less recoil makes the 20 Gauge better in two important ways. If you’re hunting or defending your castle, the 12 Gauge almost invariably delivers superior stopping power. With shotshells, the smaller the number, the bigger the diameter (or gauge) of the shotgun’s bore. The shells primarily differ in terms of their projectile weights – not their velocities – but that alone accounts for a staggering difference in how much energy either one can put out. The 28 gauge vs. 20-gauge recoil debate prevails since, aside from the 12 gauge, these are the more popular shotgun choices for hunters and sports shooters. 12 Gauge vs 20 Gauge. So, you’ll probably want to use a 12 gauge shotgun with you to the duck blind. Is a 12 gauge better than a 20 gauge, or is a 20 gauge better than a 12 gauge? Because a 12 gauge shotgun shell has more volume than a 20 gauge shotgun shell, it fits more powder and bigger projectiles. It can even put off shooting until you’re “up to” dealing with the recoil. AmmoForSale.com offers the most popular calibers of ammunition from 9mm to .223 as well as brands that you trust – like Federal and Winchester – because you deserve the best! Brandon’s drive for independent success and passion for firearms lead him to start a part time business helping people get their Federal Firearms Licenses. New For 2021. If a 410 Bore were actually a 410 Gauge, then its bore would share the approximate diameter of a .22 caliber pistol’s. The shells used are small enough that some revolvers on the market can shoot them. When it comes to protecting yourself and your loved ones, the gun is of little consequence if you cannot use it properly to defend your household. First, there’s the obvious comfort factor. This quickly grew into a full-time endeavor that soon branched out into the difficult world of silencer sales. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This means you will get a harder-hitting shot at a greater effective distance with a 12 gauge than you will with a 20 gauge. While the 12 Gauge’s superior power may make it a more commanding solution for deer hunting, the 20 Gauge still outclasses the 223 Rem in terms of muzzle energy. You might only own one shotgun and it’s a 12 gauge. I am shopping around for shotguns and can't decide on what gauage and length to purchase. 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge: Hunting, Home Defense, and More, Shotgun Ammo Types: Buckshot vs. Birdshot vs. Slug, How Loud is a Gunshot? When you refer to a rifle’s or pistol’s caliber, you’re defining the internal diameter of its barrel. You do sacrifice some things for that power 12 gauge shotguns have more recoil than 20 gauge and the firearm itself is more of a burden to carry. In truth, there are finally enough lightweight 12s on the market that most of us don’t really need a 20-gauge. This all has to do with weight. recoil can be greatly reduced by a number of shell types; one example would be mini-shells. Here is a nice 12 Gauge shell with ⅞ oz of shot and a 1,200 fps muzzle velocity. A lot of it really comes down to personal preference and situation. The nation’s largest silencer dealer with 15+ years of experience and innovation, Silencer Central takes the confusion out of purchasing a silencer. 20 gauge shotguns are the second most popular option for home defense. The 12-gauge load most often recommended for home defense is the standard 2 ¾-inch No. 300 Richmond, VA 23255 United States. 12 gauge shotguns are most popular for home defense. For example, the Federal Premium’s 2.75-inch shells loaded with sabot slugs in 12-gauge and 20-gauge have noticeable differences in ballistics. Hun, sharptail, pheasant mixed bag with a 20 gauge. Also a preferred shotgun for bird and sport shooters, it generally sells for less than a 12-gauge and is an adequate gun for the beginner. – right behind the 12-gauge shotgun in popularity, the 20 gauge is very popular due to its manageable size compared to its effectiveness. This means you will get a harder-hitting shot at a greater effective distance with a 12 gauge than you will with a 20 gauge. 20 Gauge Shotgun Shell: 20 Gauge is a special gauge to many gunners. As such, the answer to 12 gauge or 20 gauge for home defense might actually be “both.”. I use a 20 gauge tactical pump with #2 buck for defense and I feel that a 12 with #00 is just not necessary. For home defense, #1 buck has been shown to be the most effective with sufficient penetration and a bigger wound channel than larger buck loads will create. The 20 gauge produces negligibly less power than the 12 gauge, but it is disadvantaged in another area. The 12-gauge has a muzzle velocity of 1,500 feet per second and energy of 2,189 foot-pounds, while the 20 … It’s a very effective close-range load. By sheer virtue of its lighter projectile(s), the smaller shell exerts significantly less recoil back against its shooter. At the end of the day, the goal is an ethical and humane hunt. Again, you can use a 20 gauge shotgun here, but you’re putting yourself at needless a disadvantage. I believe the grain on most 20 Gauge … Gun DB Levels Compared. Whether you want to fire two shots in rapid succession while target shooting or dump a whole magazine into an advancing threat, a 20 Gauge will make the endeavor easier than a 12 Gauge could have. Obviously, the 12-gauge is the default for shotguns and for good reasons, but the 20-gauge might actually be the better choice for home defense. Hear me out: A 6’ 1” man weighing 225 pounds will likely be able to handle the recoil and overall weight of a 12 gauge shotgun better than a 5’ 4” woman weighing 115 pounds. Because it often holds a heavier slug or column of shot, however, the 12 Gauge shotshell’s larger charge of powder often produces a comparable muzzle velocity to the smaller 20 Gauge. Some examples include the XCaliber SS1C (in both 12 and 20 gauge) or the SilencerCo Salvo 12 (in 12 gauge only). We manage your ATF paperwork and FREE NFA Gun Trust, provide an interest-free layaway option and ship directly to your door once approved. Less recoil usually leads to better shot placement, and for a lot of people, it also means they are more likely to practice. That’s a tough question to answer. In the case of an Ithaca DeerSlayer II, the 20 gauge weighs 6.8 pounds catalog weight vs. 7.6 pounds for the 12 gauge. The 20 gauge has a diameter of 15.6 mm, or .62 inches. Other factors like gun weight, pads, recoil reduction systems, gun fit, 3-inch shells vs 2¾-inch shells, action of the gun, and more contribute in a big way. While the amount of kick you may actually perceive is subjective, the 20 Gauge’s objectively weaker recoil energy is bound to put less stress on your shoulder. In practice we see either shell capable of reaching the same distances as effectively as the other. The main difference between it and the 12 gauge are gun size and weight, and pellet count. – quality target round that won’t break the bank. You might be using it in an instance where distance isn’t quite as important and stopping power is of less concern. 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. It doesn't bruise your shoulder as bad since its a lighter gauge load. Extremely versatile and functional for all endeavors ranging from hunting to target shooting. That’s true, good point Daniel. On average, a 12 gauge will be cheaper, but there may be special 12 gauge shells that cost more. Shotgun is called "12-gauge" because a lead sphere that just fits the inside diameter of the barrel weighs 1⁄12 of a pound. And that’s why knowing your gauges and what they mean matters. When it comes to the cost of 12 versus 20 gauge ammo, 12 gauge shotgun shells will usually be cheaper. Also, look at the breaker for the circuit in question to see if it’s a 15-amp or a 20-amp breaker. Not super popular due to its size, but it is popular amongst waterfowl hunters. Available to help: Mon-Thur. Not only do suppressors make your shotgun quieter, but they also help mitigate recoil. Choose appropriately and responsibly. For the uninitiated, you might assume that 20 gauge is the bigger of the two, but it’s not. The NSSA maximum allowable charge weights are 394 grains for a 20 ga., and 507 grains for a 12 gauge (standard payloads are 382.8 and 492.2 grains, respectively). If we applied caliber conventions to a shotgun, then a 12 Gauge would be .729 caliber and a 20 Gauge would be .615. The results are surprising. Before we get into specifics, it’s important to understand the most basic of differences between 12 gauge and 20 gauge shotgun shells. When you say a shotgun has an X gauge, you are saying its barrel would perfectly fit a lead ball weighing 1/X pounds. – slightly on the pricey side of the spectrum, but perhaps the best self-defense 20-gauge round on the market. Note that the 410 Bore shotgun does not follow “gauge rules.” Its bore diameter is literally .410”, which would be equivalent to 67.5 Gauge. Because the individual pieces contained within a shotshell are bigger in a 12 gauge than in a 20 gauge, 12 is bigger than 20. In a scenario like this, you might get better performance from a 20 gauge shotgun. – the best choice for large game hunting, not ideal for home defense. 12 gauge shotguns are also the choice of the U.S. Armed Forces and the vast majority of law enforcement. But this is not always the case – 12 Gauge shotshells do tend to offer a faster average muzzle velocity. You’re increasing the chances of destroying the meat you’re trying to harvest. What about gas discharge type,will help kickback would make combarlng the 12 ga. to nongas operated 20ga. For this reason, they are also the most likely to get mixed up. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Therefore, most 20 gauge shotguns are lighter, smaller, and easier to use than a 12 gauge. I would like to spend less then 500 (buying in Canada so they are a bit more). Prominently featuring in sporting clays or trap shooting competitions, both gauges are efficient small game and bird hunters. Twelve gauge is about the thickness of a nickel, and 14-gauge is about the thickness of a dime. Whatever 20 Gauge allegedly lacks in power, 12 Gauge definitely has. An SUV will almost always be more expensive than a compact car, but a BMW car will be more expensive than a Kia SUV. Makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? If you want to smack a whitetail deer so hard it practically rolls into the back of your pickup, then 12 Gauge has plenty of upside to consider. If you would rather have more power, a denser spread, and a greater selection of ammo to choose from, you’ll be better served by the 12 Gauge. All this variety can be overwhelming. of each, one thing is certain across the board: a suppressed shotgun is better than an unsuppressed shotgun. Subsonic Ammo – A Buyer’s Guide to the Quiet Side. In a contest between analogous 12 Gauge and 20 Gauge shells, the 12 Gauge’s spread is always denser. Thus a 12 Gauge shotgun would fit a 1/12 pound lead ball in its barrel; a 20 Gauge, a 1/20 pound ball. Average 12 gauge slugs are 33% heavier than 20 gauges slugs at the same speed An interesting side note: 20 gauge shells are MANDATED to be yellow, because you can potentially slip them into a 12 gauge chamber, forget that you did, load up a 12 behind it, and then blow up your gun and potentially injure … Or, maybe you prefer the softer recoil of a 20 gauge. Different types of shotgun ammunition vary widely, as one shell may fire a single slug or over 2,000 shot pellets.