20 gauge question?

[slow99]

I just got rid of my single shot 20 gauge I had in order to get a pump for better home protection use only. I know the single wasn't good at all, but at the time I was strapped and needed at least something. Academy has the cheap Mossberg 20 gauge for $154. Wal Mart has the cheap 12 gauge for $164. Is there really gonna be that much of a difference as far as what I'm needing it for? I think the 20 ga would work just fine. The farthest I could ever see shooting this thing under any circumstance would be about 20 yards (distance from my back porch to the alley). Also, I currently have a full box of shells, they are an 8. Go ahead and get the 4 from what I've heard I take it? Thanks

[Casper]

I like a 20.

For two legged predators you might consider buck & ball. Brenneke KO is one.

[krazyh0rse]

20 ga isnt bad but why not go bigger if this is for home defense the #8 wont be very effective i like 00 and 000 aught with a slug in there somewhere it helps me sleep nice and cozy

[whitetrash]

a 12 guage will just slighlty put a bigger hole in an intruders chest than a 20 with a slug.

20 is fine

[slow99]

Thanks guys. I should have added that I am leaning towards the 20 in case my wife were ever in a position to have to use it. She's very small framed and not very physically strong. So, ditch the 8 shot, and pick up some 4 shot while I'm getting the gun?

[bronco71]

Thanks guys. I should have added that I am leaning towards the 20 in case my wife were ever in a position to have to use it. She's very small framed and not very physically strong. So, ditch the 8 shot, and pick up some 4 shot while I'm getting the gun?

I would make the first shot #4 shot and #1 buckshot after that.

[SBBII]

You'll get lots of replies on this.

I'd suggest a 12 ga. for ammo selection and a little more throw weight. You're also more likely to find a short-barreled (20-22 in) defensive shotgun in 12 ga. Try manuvering a 26-inch barreled hunting shotgun down hallways, around corners, etc.

Look at pawnshops - you might find a Remmy 870 for about the same price as a new Mossberg. If it's an older model with a nicer finish, function may also be better, even if you end up taking it to a smith to get the barrel shortened.

On ammo: Do you anticipate use in the house, or outside? If indoors, #6 or smaller shot is less likely to penetrate sheetrock and injure innocents in the next room, but face fulls of #6 are still intruder-stoppers at across-the-room distances.

A 12 ga 00 buck load is usually 9 .33 cal shot, each traveling at 12-1500 fps. They will penetrate multiple walls, but can be effective to way more than 40 yards.

[slow99]

The more I've thought, and the possibility of my wife having to use it, I'm going with the 20. As far as the shot, I honestly think the most likely scenario would be outside at about a 10-20 yard range. Of course there's always the possibility of having to use it indoors. So, what the 6 might be the way to go?

[J&T's 82]

The biggest difference between a 12 ga and a 20 ga is the amount of shot but it is not that much. I have never seen a 20 ga in a 20-22 inch barrel pump but I have never really looked for one either. I have seen some short barrel 20 gauges in a "Stage Coach" style double barrel for pretty cheap new. IMO I would get a 12 ga pump but I would not get the 870 due to the fact that the action is rough. I would go with the Winchester Defender or the Mossberg A500. Its a little more money but worth it.

[slow99]

Just got back, I bought the Maverick 20 gauge, 26" barrel. The ammo selection was kinda limited, so I went with the Remington 1oz #6 high velocity, 1220 fps. All 3 of my "gun guys" weren't answering their phones, but a Trooper who was in the store said it'd be lethal at 10-20 yards. Thanks guys!

[Big Studly]

at 20 yards, wither it is a 12ga. or a 20ga., you are going to do some damage. You need to get the biggest (smallest #) shot you can get though. I sometimes can't even kill a dove at 35 yards with 7.5 shot......find you some buckshot or something....the last thing you want to do is shoot at an intruder and just piss him off with a few bb's imbedded in his skin....granted at 20 yards, it will do more than that...but you never know....also, you should think about taking it to a gunsmith and get that barrell cut down to 18" or so....it makes swinging it into position easier....especially for the wife.

[slow99]

Cool, the 20 yard thing is the max distance of possible scenarios I could see. I'm getting this mainly b/c of the next car I'm buying. Of course, the close range inside the house scenario could always be a possibility. At very close range the #6 would definitely be lethal, and at anything up to 20 yards, especially with the high velocity, it'd most likely be lethal too. Anyways, that's what I gathered, and kinda gathered from here. Thanks again guys, hope I never have to find out.

[GT98SVO]

I've seen #2 and #4 shot at Bass Pro.
Steel shot.
Federal, I think.

[krazyh0rse]

i dont notice anymore kick out of my 12ga as opposed tomy 20 its really negligable i let my little cousin shoot my 12 shes 11 weighs about 60 pounds soaking wet

[SBBII]

Just got back, I bought the Maverick 20 gauge, 26" barrel. The ammo selection was kinda limited, so I went with the Remington 1oz #6 high velocity, 1220 fps. All 3 of my "gun guys" weren't answering their phones, but a Trooper who was in the store said it'd be lethal at 10-20 yards. Thanks guys!

Didn't see this in time. Since you went with a 20, wish we would have suggested:

http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=22&section=products

Right click to the 500 Bantam All Purpose #54132. 22" barrel will be easier to maneuver indoors than a 26" hunting shotgun.

Even better:

http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=5&section=products

The #50577 12 ga is a 20" barrel, 8 round (7+1). Click right once & you get the #50452, a 20 ga 18.5" barrel 6 round defensive weapon.

You purchased a hunting shotgun. For home defense, it's damn sure better than unarmed, but the Persuader line is purpose built - shorter barrel, more rounds.

Looking at their specs, it appears that there's only a half-pound difference in gun weight between 20 ga & 12: 7lb vs 6.5 similarly configured. A half-pound difference in firearm weight won't make the 20 ga easier to handle. Recoil is a function of ejecta weight (shot+powder) X velocity. If you're shooting 1&1/4 oz of shot at 1330fps in a 12 ga vs 1 oz of shot at 1220fpsm in a 20 ga, the difference in felt recoil is hardly noticable even if your wife weighs <100 pounds.

Fire 3" Magnum slugs with a pistol grip and it's gonna hurt - but that's not what we're contemplating.

Anyhow, you've already bought. If the barrels interchange, consider purchasing an 18-20" Cylinder bore for home defense, instead of cutting down the 26" barrel. Keep that for bird hunting.

I wouldn't feel unprotected using #6 shot & I'd be less concerned about unwanted penetration of anything behind your target. Just aim for high center-mass. About nipple level.

[Seafarer12]

I know I am late but I will put a vote in for a 20. Less recoil and a guy standing in the doorway won't know the diff.