Whats the difference between a 12 gauge and a 20 gauge?
2007-11-12 14:59:30 · 8 answers · asked by Jenna 2 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
Thank you.
Im going hunting this weekend.
and its been a few years since my hunters safty class.
I think i need to go through and re-read some things.
2007-11-12 15:07:56 · update #1
the bore diameter of a 12 gauge is usually .729
the bore of a 20 ga. is .615
the standard field load for a 12 ga. is 1 oz. of shot
standard load for 20ga. is 7/8 oz of shot.
2007-11-14 10:13:54 · answer #1 · answered by Who Dat ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The gauge of a shotgun is determined by the number of steel balls the exact diameter of the chamber that are needed to make one pound. A 12 gauge takes 12 steel balls, a 20 gauge takes 20, etc. Other gauges are 10, 16, and 28. The .410, usually considered a shotgun, is actually a caliber. A 12 gauge is nearly twice as large as a 20 gauge.
2007-11-12 23:19:04 · answer #2 · answered by Cecil n 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
A 12 ga has a larger bore diameter, so the same shot charge and size out of a 12 ga will give you a higher probability of hits than the same charge and shot size out of a 20 ga.
For instance, a 7/8 oz. loading of #6 shot from a 12 ga will have more pellets than a 7/8 oz. loading of #6 shot from a 20ga. Of course, a 12 ga. also kicks a bit more so you have to consider that factor as well.
2007-11-13 10:12:27 · answer #3 · answered by mikey 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
12 is larger in bore diameter than 20. The designation came from the old days, when shotgun barrels were measured by how many round metal balls of bore size would weigh a pound. So: 10 is bigger than 12, 12 is bigger than 16, 16 is bigger than 20 etc. etc. A .410 is not a guage but a bore diameter like rifle and pistol barrels, basically .410 caliber. A 12 guage will allow you to shoot much heavier loads than a 20, with some factory 12 guage 3/12 inch loads actually shooting as much shot as factory 10 guage loads.
2007-11-12 23:13:19 · answer #4 · answered by john r 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
hi there
a12 gauge is bigger than a 20 gauge, and kicks harder,if you are useing slugs a 20 is faster than a 12 but dosen't have as much knock down power,hope this helps ...........and mikey 7/8 0z. of 6 and 7/8 oz. of 6 have the same number of pellets.
2007-11-13 18:36:33 · answer #5 · answered by burnie_1_2000 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
a 12 gauge is a larger bore more kick to it but more stopping power also. a 20 gauge is a liittle less on both
2007-11-12 23:03:15 · answer #6 · answered by Double D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The 12 ga. is a larger gun and shell than the 20 ga.
2007-11-12 23:02:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jenna, what are ya hunting? Small game like rabbits,squirrels,Grouse,Pheasent,turkey? The 20 gage will do just fine with a full choke barrel
2007-11-12 23:34:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋