which is more accurate @ 100 yards 12 gauge or 20 rifled barrel?

Question

I been getting mixed answers ask people in my gun club

Answer 1

Accuracy with a firearm is a function of many factors the biggest one is the shooter. Modern firearms are as accurate as the shooter. The advantage a 12 gauge will have over a 20 gauge is that the 12 is a bit more potent. I've never fired a 12 gauge pump with slugs further than fifty yards on a police range. I had to hold high to even hit the man-sized target at that distance. Of course, the 12 I was shooting didn't have a rifled barrel. I scored two out of three hits. With a 12 with rifled barrel I'd say you have to hold high for a hundred yard hit. Since the 12 shoots a heavier slug than the 20 gauge, you probably will have to hold it even higher. This may lead some people to believe the 20 is more accurate than the 12 at a hundred yards. That would not be a valid observation, though. Both are accurate, one just drops more than the other at that distance because of the weight of the slug.

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Answer 2

A standard 12 gauge loaded with different types of slugs (i.e. Sabot versus regular or 2 3/4 versus 3 inch) will perform very differently at 100 yards depending again on the load and even the shooter. In many cases you will find the drop to be at least 6 inches.

The same logic could be applied to a 20 gauge with the rifled barrel being a key plus. It may lessen the drop due to barrel spin (rifling) round performance, and obviously the shooter.

My bet would be on the 20 gauge with the rifled barrel. Assuming the rounds and the shooter were the same (3in. Sabot slugs).

Answer 3

As others have already said it is the difference between brands of slugs running second to the shooters ability. Rifled slugs for the most part are extremely haevy therefore they drop in velocity very quickly resulting in inches of drop within 100 yards.
The answer that most industry field trials have shown and proven time and time again is the use of "Sabot" slugs. These are smaller diameter, lighter weight,aero-dynamic slugs that are encased in a plastic sleeve. Upon firing, as the slug clears the barrel, the plastic jacket falls away and the slug continues onto the target at an increased velocity with less bullet drop. Using these Sabot slugs would pretty much equalize the 12 gauge and 20 gauge in performance, enhancing accuracy and impact energy at the same time. Many larger municipal police departments now use Sabot rounds in place of the old style slugs, in their 12 gauge shotguns carried in their cruisers, and carried by their Tactical Squads and QRT teams.. They cost a bit more than conventional slugs, but perform better in every aspect.....

Answer 4

With both gauges fired from rifled barrels, you will fine little difference in the accuracy. However, the 20 gauge has a flatter trajectory and will enable you the hit closer to your point of aim from 25 yd to your 100 yd zero. If you are deer hunting remember that accuracy is good, but you also need energy. A 12 gives almost 200 ft-lbs more energy at 100 yd than the 20.

Answer 5

I will tell you I did alot of testing on this and it will depend on the gun and the ammunition that you are using I had 4 12ga guns Remington 870, Beneli m1 super 90, marlin slug master bolt action and a tc single shot. We used 12ga 3" and 2 3/4" sabot slugs from Remington Winchester federal and lightfield what we found out as you may already know some slugs liked some guns better than others but they all did good but to make it short the cheapest gun turned out 5 shots at 1 3/4 inch groups at 100 yds it was the marlin slugmaster with federal 2 3/4 slugs. Now with the 20ga we had 3 guns the 870, a tc single shot and a 1187 auto,the TC was the best of these and the best was 3" at 100 yds with the lightfield but all the others were very close behind so no big difference the key to what ever you buy is to buy lots of ammo and find out what your gun shoots best. I know of someone else that has a 20ga that says he gets 2" groups with Remington slugs.

Answer 6

I can tell you from practical experience that a 12 gauge will give you a three shot group at a hundred yards with all three holes touching. There are also quite a few rifled slugs available from various manufacturers; and due to this the price is reasonable. The 20 is good for grandchildren to shoot gophers with.

Answer 7

Depends on what you are firing. Bird shot and buckshot probably won't make it that far, even if they did they wouldn't be lethal. A slug might reach, in that case it seems the 20 gauge might do better because of the rifling.

Answer 8

Depends on what type of slugs you shoot. Personally I shoot a 12gauge with a rifled barrel.

Answer 9

look up" Horndary SST sabot slugs" they are expensive but they work..........0 inch drop at 150 yards 1500+ ftlbs at 150 yards and 1500+ fps at 150 yards ....
at 150 yards though you will need a good scope.....

Answer 10

im not sure but most likely a 12 guage because the barrel is going to be longer so it has more guidance