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Q:
Is a 20 gauge capable of duck hunting? What is its range for turkey hunting?

Question by lglessner97. Uploaded on December 08, 2011

Answers (9)

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from lilbilly95 wrote 24 weeks 1 hour ago

with my 20 gauge an a modified choke an a 4 shot shell i have like a 6 inch group at 65 yards

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from lilbilly95 wrote 24 weeks 1 hour ago

so i think u should be good with duck hunting

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from DakotaMan wrote 24 weeks 1 hour ago

A 20 gauge is fine for duck hunting. My buddy has used his for over 45 years and has no trouble outshooting me with it. It has a little less shot in its pattern than a 12 gauge but aiming correctly will puts its pattern right on target and it is plenty to down a duck or goose.

It will get ducks at the same range that a 12 gauge will if you aim right. It just has a little smaller sweet spot. You should be able to shoot ducks just fine at 40 yards. If your chamber allows, use 3" shells for ducks and geese.

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from scratchgolf72 wrote 23 weeks 6 days ago

you can shoot ducks with a 20, as well as turkey. but i would definitely recommend stepping up to a 12 for a turkey gun. i shoot a ten gauge at turkeys, but thats just me.

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from Sarge01 wrote 23 weeks 6 days ago

With the new loads that the ammo manufactures are developing today it is not as critical as it was to use a 12 over a 20. The wads and loads are really amazing in todays ammo. The pattern is just tighter with a 20 because you don't have as many shot.

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from Ontario Honker ... wrote 23 weeks 5 days ago

Use a 20 gauge 3" mag for ducks. It is about equivalent to 16 gauge which is really ideal for ducks. You'll have to shoot light fast loads though so you really won't have a lot of shot to play with. Pick loads that are as close as you can get to 1500 or more fps muzzle velocity. Use #2 shot steel for big mallards.

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from RES1956 wrote 23 weeks 4 days ago

20 ga. for ducks? Yes, IF, you shoot Hevishot, #4,5, or 6's and are a very accomplished wingshot and are able to restrain yourself to taking reasonable shots inside 35-40 yards. Othewise, pay attention to the sports who are consistently killing ducks, they shoot a 12 ga for a reason.
For turkeys, absolutely. Lead #5's will do a great job out to about 30 yards. If you can't get them that close, don't shoot, they will be there tomorrow.
Buggered up turkeys tend not to gobble.

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from GrantHarland wrote 23 weeks 3 days ago

Just took my limit this weekend w/ a 20 gauge pump. Use #4 early season and #2 late season. I like the Winchester extreme loads, they are fast and quality without breaking the bank. Also, took a nice turkey w/ my 20 gauge. Keep in mind, a 20 gauge shot often has the same powder/pellet ratio, so if you are accurate it is just as effective.

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from predator hunter wrote 23 weeks 3 days ago

A 20 is fine for ducks. They are used very often by the youth hunters out in the field. Id say the max range for turkeys if 50 yards, no more than that though. If you have the right load and gun, you should be fine.

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from lilbilly95 wrote 24 weeks 1 hour ago

with my 20 gauge an a modified choke an a 4 shot shell i have like a 6 inch group at 65 yards

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from lilbilly95 wrote 24 weeks 1 hour ago

so i think u should be good with duck hunting

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from DakotaMan wrote 24 weeks 1 hour ago

A 20 gauge is fine for duck hunting. My buddy has used his for over 45 years and has no trouble outshooting me with it. It has a little less shot in its pattern than a 12 gauge but aiming correctly will puts its pattern right on target and it is plenty to down a duck or goose.

It will get ducks at the same range that a 12 gauge will if you aim right. It just has a little smaller sweet spot. You should be able to shoot ducks just fine at 40 yards. If your chamber allows, use 3" shells for ducks and geese.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from scratchgolf72 wrote 23 weeks 6 days ago

you can shoot ducks with a 20, as well as turkey. but i would definitely recommend stepping up to a 12 for a turkey gun. i shoot a ten gauge at turkeys, but thats just me.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from Sarge01 wrote 23 weeks 6 days ago

With the new loads that the ammo manufactures are developing today it is not as critical as it was to use a 12 over a 20. The wads and loads are really amazing in todays ammo. The pattern is just tighter with a 20 because you don't have as many shot.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from Ontario Honker ... wrote 23 weeks 5 days ago

Use a 20 gauge 3" mag for ducks. It is about equivalent to 16 gauge which is really ideal for ducks. You'll have to shoot light fast loads though so you really won't have a lot of shot to play with. Pick loads that are as close as you can get to 1500 or more fps muzzle velocity. Use #2 shot steel for big mallards.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from RES1956 wrote 23 weeks 4 days ago

20 ga. for ducks? Yes, IF, you shoot Hevishot, #4,5, or 6's and are a very accomplished wingshot and are able to restrain yourself to taking reasonable shots inside 35-40 yards. Othewise, pay attention to the sports who are consistently killing ducks, they shoot a 12 ga for a reason.
For turkeys, absolutely. Lead #5's will do a great job out to about 30 yards. If you can't get them that close, don't shoot, they will be there tomorrow.
Buggered up turkeys tend not to gobble.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from GrantHarland wrote 23 weeks 3 days ago

Just took my limit this weekend w/ a 20 gauge pump. Use #4 early season and #2 late season. I like the Winchester extreme loads, they are fast and quality without breaking the bank. Also, took a nice turkey w/ my 20 gauge. Keep in mind, a 20 gauge shot often has the same powder/pellet ratio, so if you are accurate it is just as effective.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from predator hunter wrote 23 weeks 3 days ago

A 20 is fine for ducks. They are used very often by the youth hunters out in the field. Id say the max range for turkeys if 50 yards, no more than that though. If you have the right load and gun, you should be fine.

0 Good Comment? | | Report

Post an Answer