12 vs. 20 O/U

**hunterdan** · February 24th, 2015, 05:54 PM

My dad is in the market for a new over/under. He's narrowed his choices down to a Franchi Instinct L and a ruger red label. He really likes the way the ruger feels and has always wanted one and I feel like that is the one he is going to pick. The main question is, considering he's 60, and plans to shoot mostly sporting clays types of events with the yearly pheasant hunt thrown in, would the 20ga be the better choice because of the lighter recoil or would he be handicapped using the 20 for the target shooting. Any input?

**God's Country** · February 24th, 2015, 06:01 PM

AFAIC 12G rules the roost for most clay bird activities. As far as recoil.
I've shot 20G that kick as hard as 12G because of the weight difference.

He should probably try and shoot them first if possible.

**sprrdhawk44** · February 24th, 2015, 06:07 PM

My clay gun is 20 gauge Weatherby Orion o/u. I wouldn't want to shoot 300 rounds of 12 gauge in a day. Like God's Country advised, have him shoot both.

**Twoboxer** · February 24th, 2015, 08:14 PM

If the majority of his use is sporting clays etc, and if he is a typical 60 year old, the 12ga is the correct choice.

LOL most of the guys who shoot trap at the club on Tuesdays are at LEAST 60, and I don't see any 20ga hulls in the cans.

**thefirstndsecond** · February 24th, 2015, 08:53 PM

Love my 20. It is lighter and recoil is nothing.

Shooting light loads out of both.

To me the 20 is lighter and swings better.

I also own 12.

Both are red labels.

He will have to shoot them.

But Berretta's are better.

**hunterdan** · February 24th, 2015, 09:40 PM

He's got no problem shooting the 12 now. He was just thinking that a 20 might be lighter on the recoil.

**Jhaydeno** · February 24th, 2015, 09:50 PM

I've got both as well, I love my 12, but the 20 swings faster and doesn't hurt after 150 rounds. As noted above, try them both!

**Twoboxer** · February 25th, 2015, 02:48 AM

Originally Posted by hunterdan

He's got no problem shooting the 12 now. He was just thinking that a 20 might be lighter on the recoil.

The 20 could well be lighter on the recoil, and then again depending on the two shotguns in question it might not be noticeably so.

But the real reason I posted again is there's a conflict in your post. You say he has no trouble shooting the 12, yet he expressed an interest in the lighter recoil.

I'd explore that with him a bit further . . . eg, how does he think the lighter recoil will help him. Could be just a general thing . . . why get kicked by a 12 when a 20 can (maybe) do the job, or he may be having an issue he hasn't spoken of yet.

Just a thought.

**Urban_Redneck** · February 26th, 2015, 11:56 AM

Unless he plans on competing in 20ga specialty events... 1 ounce and 7/8 ounce 12ga loads are as pleasant as any 20ga I've ever shot (pattern better as well).

12 ga shell selection will always be better and less expensive than 20ga.

YMMV

**JenniferG** · February 27th, 2015, 01:54 AM

Light loads in 12ga are what is used in Sporting clays. Never saw a 20ga. 7/8 loads are nothing with a Red Label. Been shooting one since about '88 and I can still shoot it all day with those light loads. It's also more versatile because you can put the heavier loads in it during pheasant and especially late pheasant going after those long flushers that have been shot at a few times. I have a 20ga but I use it for stocked quail and pheasant hunts at a Regulated Game club where hunting with other members is a bit tighter quarters.