I was wondering that because i have been hunting for two years with a 20 gauge and i will get a 12 gauge i was wondering if they kick worse and are louder.
2007-07-23 07:54:29 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
As a Gunsmith/Hunter I can tell you that the 12 gauge will be a slight bit harder in recoil than the 20 gauge. As far as the sound/report is concerned, if you are smart ,you are wearing some approved type of hearing protection. If so, there really isn't a sound issue to worry or be concerned about. Enjoy!
2007-07-23 08:06:02 · answer #1 · answered by JD 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
On shotgun gauges:
The gauge system we have in the USA is actually a English system. The inside of a 12 ga. shotgun is nominally .729 dia. So if you have a mold made up that will cast a solid pure lead ball exactly .729 dia. it will take 12 of those lead balls to make a pound of lead. So a 12 ga. shotgun is a 12 to the lb. shotgun. Same with the 16 ga. shotgun, 16 lead balls to the pound. 20 ga. 20 lead balls to the lb. the only shotgun that is not a gauge is the .410 and it should always have a period in front of it as it is a caliber not a gauge. The inside of the .410 is .410 dia. That is why the number of the gauge gets bigger when the gauge gets smaller. The lead balls are smaller so it takes more of them to make a pound.
There is a story that goes with the .410 shotgun but I don't have time to tell it on the answers page.
2007-07-26 11:27:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Depends on the ammo you are using, but given the same size of pellet and pellet count and powder charge, a 12 ga. has a somewhat more powerful recoil and is a bit louder. If you are using it properly (seated firmly into the shoulder), there shouldn't be any problem, however.
Semi-autos have less recoil (they use part of the recoil to work the action) than do pump, lever or break-barrel guns. A heavier barrel gives less rise and recoil (but can be harder to tote around). And there are sophisticated recoil pads that will absorb most (if not all) of the recoil.
So it depends on the weapon, what you are shooting in it and how you hold it.
BTW, re: the boob above, a 9mm is SMALLER than a 10mm, just as a .22 caliber is smaller than a .38 or a .45 caliber. Shotgun gauge is like wire gauge or pipe gauge, so the smaller the number, the larger the bore.
Cheers.
2007-07-23 08:01:08 · answer #3 · answered by Grendle 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I really couldn't tell the difference which will be louder or will kick more... But this believe me a 12 gauge will surely weigh more... And gets kinda tiresome to lug around in the woods...
2007-07-24 08:20:22 · answer #4 · answered by Sonny O 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on the load.
Fire a 7/8 oz load out of a 12ga, then fire a 1oz load out of a 20 ga, the 20 ga will kick more.
In fact, firing identical loads [correct gauge for the gun of course] (1oz, 1145fps) out of a 20ga and a 12ga, the 12ga should have less felt kick. The same ballistics going out a larger hole = less felt/perceived recoil.
2007-07-23 08:02:09 · answer #5 · answered by DT89ACE 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If you've been hunting two years with the 20 ga., the extra power of the 12ga. isn't going to bother you. Recoil will be greater, but not that much. Noise might be louder, depending on the load, but again, not that much (wear ear protection).
The only time recoil and noise is really going to be pronounced is when you shoot the double aught buck or slugs out of the 12 ga. "Fun Factor" takes a dive. . .
2007-07-23 15:53:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You have many variables to figure into your equation. Size, weight, action, shot, yaddah. A semi-auto 12 gauge is sweet; a single shot 20 gauge can jar your teeth; a single shot 12 gauge will send you back in time to the previous tuesday; the list goes on.
2007-07-23 11:34:31 · answer #7 · answered by acmeraven 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The 12 kicks more. It depends on the gun weight on excatly how hard it kicks. Mine kicks like a mule and my dads harldy kick at all, but his weighs more. Sugs are really gonna suprise you the first time you shoot em in a 12. There are things you can do like get a recoil pad, and a friend took the pad off the butt of his 12 and it was hollow so he put some bb's in there and they absorb the recoil a little. I dont think there is a noise difference, but maybe i dont have a sensitive enough ear.
2007-07-23 09:32:53 · answer #8 · answered by Aaron 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes and yes but the ammo makes a huge deal.
Remember you don't need a freaking CANNON when your hunting.
I like 12 gauge w/ 3in shells
2007-07-23 15:53:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Using comparable loads, the lighter gun will kick harder. The 12 is heavier and absorbs a lot of the recoil, so the perceived kick is less.
2007-07-27 05:12:52 · answer #10 · answered by eferrell01 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋