20 guage pump shotgun for deer hunting?

Answer 1

I'd use slugs with a 20 gauge, that way it would be like a large bore rifle instead of like a shotgun. Shotguns and 30/30 are good in thick brush were a limb could deflect your shot, shotguns and 30/30's have the power to punch through it and still hit the target, but only at close range.

Answer 2

a 12 ga pump is the most common choice, due to their power and availability. If you're set on a 16 or 20, you'll have better luck with the 20. I have never seen a rifled 16 ga barrel, which is very much preferred by most people for deer in areas where you can't legally use a rifle. A 20 ga slug still has enough punch to cleanly take a deer, and some prefer them over the 12 due to a slightly flatter trajectory being a smaller slug. A pump would be most people's first choice, they hold more shells than a break so you have a quicker follow up shot if necessary, and are absolutely reliable and not fussy on ammo, which can't be said about all semi autos, a pump can be just as fast shooting as a semi auto with a little practice. However a semi auto will typically have a little less perceived recoil. I'm not going to recommend one brand over another since I'm in rifle territory and have only used shotguns for traditional shotgun uses. Most major manufacturers make a solid pump all set up for deer with a rifled barrel and either rifle sights or scope mount. Usually in 12 ga but there are plenty of 20's set up this way too You should have no trouble finding one that fits you well at a price you don't mind. Just make sure it can accept 3" shells or even 3.5" this will give a little more versatility, and the option of more power. Actually if you can find one a 3.5" 20 ga will come close to a standard 2.75" 12 ga in performance. and might be a good option if you're set on a sub-guage shotgun.

Answer 3

If you are hunting in a state which prohibits hunting deer with a rifle then you are pretty much left with a choice of either a handgun, muzzleloader or shotgun. I assume that you are in such a state. Most people who hunt deer with a shotgun use a 12 guage. The velocity of a 12 guage slug is not significantly different from the velocity of a 20 guage shotgun but the big difference is in the weight of the slug. The 20 guage slug is much lighter than a 12 guage slug and consequently delivers a lot fewer foot pounds of energy to the target. If you are planning to use buckshot, be sure that it is legal in the place that you are hunting. Here in Indiana, we are not allowed to use a rifle and if we use a shotgun, we must shoot only slugs. If you can use buckshot, the 20 guage will deliver the shot to the target with the same energy as a 12 guage but there will be significantly fewer shot in a 20 guage shell than in a 12 guage shell. The bottom line is that even if your state allows the use of a 20 guage shotgun for deer hunting, your best bet is to try to find a 12 guage with a slug barrel and hunt with slugs.

Answer 4

If you know the limitations of your equipment, a 20 gauge makes a nice deer gun.

Personally, the first gun I hunted with was a 20 ga. break action shotgun.

The first thing I have to say is not to use pellets unless state law mandates it. Some pellets (like 00 buckshot) work, but the range is limited, it tends to ruin meat, and the shot placement is not very predictable (you only have a general idea where the pellets will hit).

I would opt for using slugs. If you can afford it and your gun allows it, I would get a rifled deer barrel for the shotgun. I have found that the rifled slug barrels with the “sabot” type slugs are very accurate. I have this combination in my 12 gauge and have no problems hitting a 2 in target at 100 yards with open sites.

If you can not put a rifled barrel on the shotgun, then used rifled slugs. They make rifled chokes for smoothbore barrels, but I do not think these are worth the money. With a smooth barrel and rifled slugs, accuracy is OK at best. I wouldn’t shoot at anything farther than 50 yards away. The nice thing about the rifled slugs is that they are large (about an ounce if I remember right) and when you hit something with them, it does quite a bit of damage.

Good Luck. Have a happy and safe hunting season.

Answer 5

It depends on where you live. I use a 20 guage shotgun for deer and I have always taken at least one. I also use bow for them as well. I live in Ohio so unless you are out west I think you should be fine. If you live in a state that allows rifles also your shots might be a bit farther away so use a shotgun that allows sabot slugs for better range. Borrow several shotguns first to try out and see which one you like the best. Anyone that tells you you can use shot for deer is lying. Also, you don't need a 12 guage "cannon" either. 20 guage is just fine especially if you have good shot placement. Feel free to email me for more info if you want it.

Answer 6

So far, the folks who have answered obviously know NOTHING about hunting deer with a shotgun. We ain't talking about using birdshot folks. We are talking about slugs.

20 guage is fine. That's what I use. It shoots faster and flatter for the most part.

Using a pump is more reliable than an auto. Less stuff to screw up.

Answer 7

I always use a 50 caliber black powder rifle when I go deer hunting. It will take a deer down in no time. It wont leave tear up the meat like the shotgun will.

Answer 8

What choke is on the shotgun? A tighter choke will help to put the pellets where you want them. With a 20 gauge, you will have less pellets to drop the deer. Take into consideration distance, too.

Answer 9

the 20GA is as nice a firearm as any for deer hunting as long as you use slugs that is its all a matter of opinion anyways personally i like a 4-10 or 22mag one shot in the neck and its all over for the poor little Bambi

Answer 10

A 20gauge pump is a great gun for deer hunting..and yes....use slugs......a 20 ga. is a good gun for anything out to about 100 yards!