Which is better for deer hunting 12-gauge or 20-gauge?

A look at the gun rack in the average deer camp shows that 12-gauge slugs dominate the hunting community, but in many ways 20-gauge slugs are a better choice. The smaller diameter of the 20-gauge slug makes up for the lighter powder charge, so that 20s and 12s end up delivering similar performance on game.

What is a 20-gauge slug good for?

20-gauge shotguns are especially suitable for hunting game birds such as quail, grouse, turkey, and other game when using shot shells. A 20-gauge can also shoot slugs and buckshot and thereby become an effective deer-hunting gun.

Is a 20-gauge slug good for deer?

If the recoil from a 12-gauge is too much, 20-gauge slug guns are a fantastic and highly ethical option. A great aspect of hunting deer with a slug shotgun is barrels tend to be shorter (between 18 and 26 inches). An effective slug gun is highly maneuverable and perfect for making quick shots.

Is a 12 or 20-gauge bigger?

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. Because the individual pieces contained within a shotshell are bigger in a 12 gauge than in a 20 gauge, 12 is bigger than 20.

Are 20-gauge slugs good for home-defense?

It’s always been overshadowed by the more popular and more powerful 12 gauge, but there’s nothing wrong with relying on a 20 gauge shotgun to defend your home. At close range, 20 gauge buckshot is typically just as effective as 12 gauge, but it can have a lot less recoil.

How far can you accurately shoot a 20-gauge slug?

about 200 yards
Designed to be shot from a rifled barrel, the sabot slug is accurate out to about 200 yards from a gun that’s built to promote accuracy: with a scope, a tight action, and a bedded stock.

What is the effective range of a 20-gauge slug?

Designed to be shot from a rifled barrel, the sabot slug is accurate out to about 200 yards from a gun that’s built to promote accuracy: with a scope, a tight action, and a bedded stock.

How far can you shoot a slug accurately?

about 50 yards
Your expected range of accuracy for any box of slugs you grab in a store should be about 50 yards. This is an average range for the typical field gun with a smooth barrel and bead sight, shooting any brand of ammunition picked at random.

What is the best slug to use in a smooth bore shotgun?

The American Whitetail® 12 gauge Rifled Slug turns your smooth bore shotgun into a deer hunting machine! Designed for smooth bore barrels, Hornady® American Whitetail® Rifled Slugs feature a 1-ounce lead alloy slug that is loaded to 1,600 feet per second.

Is a 12 gauge more powerful than a 10 gauge?

The 10-Gauge Advantage 775-bore whereas 12s have around . 729), which makes it capable of shooting larger size shot than a 12. It also makes it more deadly at distance because the wider bore allows 10-gauge pellets to arrive at the target all at once.

What is the best 12 gauge slug?

A Lightfield rubber slug is the best 12 gauge home defense ammo option for people who want less-lethal ammunition. It will stop most attackers, but they have a decent chance of surviving. The rubber slug has a muzzle velocity of about 600 FPS and is intended primarily for use at room distance.

Should I get a 12 or 20 gauge?

12-gauge shotguns have bigger shells than 20-gauge shotguns, so they throw more pellets and they typically kick harder. If the bulk of your hunting is going to be for smaller sized small game, such as rabbits, quail, pheasants, etc., then feel free to go with a 20-gauge.

What is the danger of using a 20 gauge shell in a 12 gauge?

The Danger of Using Wrong Ammunition Smaller shotshells (such as 20-gauge shells), if mistakenly fed into a 12-gauge gun, will slip past the chamber and lodge in the barrel, causing serious personal injury or gun damage if a 12-gauge shell is loaded and fired.

What is the difference between a 20 gauge and a 12 gauge?

The 12-gauge has a muzzle velocity of 1,250 feet per second, while the 20 has only 1,100 feet per second . Because the 12-gauge, in general, is faster in exit velocity than the 20-gauge, it will also have a better effective range.