San Joaquin Shootist Posted March 3, 2018 Share Posted March 3, 2018 Howdy Pards, Can those of you who have done it describe the pros and cons of using a 20 gauge for Cowboy Action Shooting? Buenos noches, SJS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irish ike, SASS #43615 Posted March 3, 2018 Share Posted March 3, 2018 unless you reload your own, more expensive than 12 gauge! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marauder SASS #13056 Posted March 3, 2018 Share Posted March 3, 2018 Yep, more expensive and often more felt recoil due to the lighter gun. I also see more people have trouble "shucking" the 20 gauge shells from SxS shotguns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Shapiro Posted March 3, 2018 Share Posted March 3, 2018 I can't think of a good reason unless it's all ya got. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Bill Mathewson, 37826 Posted March 3, 2018 Share Posted March 3, 2018 I started with a 20 because that is what I had that fit the game. When my wife started I got her a 20 to keep ammo the same. I have stayed with the 20 because I haven’t wanted to reinvest in guns leather and reloading equipment. That said if someone wants my opinion I would recommend starting with a 12ga. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheriff Langston Posted March 3, 2018 Share Posted March 3, 2018 I had the same question when I started SASS since I had a 20 gauge. In addition to what has been stated it appears, to me anyway, the my 12 gauge SxS and my '97's have less recoil. Probably because of the weight. I have also started using Winchester AA feather lights which are definitely easier on the shoulder than my "regular" 20 gauge if recoil is your concern. Sheriff Langston. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StirrupTrouble Posted March 3, 2018 Share Posted March 3, 2018 I started with a 20ga because it was a cheap gun that got me stated, but to be honest, since switching to 12ga, there is less recoil, they shuck easier, and loading is smoother Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazy Eeyour Posted March 3, 2018 Share Posted March 3, 2018 I use both 12 & 20 and shoot standard skeet loads in each. My 20 gauge CZ lets the shells fall out whereas using the Savage 20 gauge the shells have to be flicked out. This could likely be remedied by polishing the bore. 12 gauges are 97s, but both are old. Never had a failure with any gun to knock down targets. I'm thinking, always a danger, that a 12 gauge side by side may drop shells easier due to the weight of the shells. It might help if I rebuilt the 97s, for which I have parts, but time. The 20 gauge Savage is my favorite quail gun so it mostly gets used for that. If something breaks on the Savage parts can be iffy so it seldom gets used for either CAS or skeet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead River Den, SASS#915 Posted March 3, 2018 Share Posted March 3, 2018 Hello, i used a 20 gauge Rossi for years, then my wife started to shoot matches, she wanted a 97, got one in 12 gauge, so i got tired of buying 12 gauge for her and 20 for me, so i switched to 12 gauge out of convenience, never had issues with shooting the 20. Speed has never mattered to me, i shoot my 12 just as slow as I shot the 20. take care, stay safe drd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Meadows,SASS#28485L Posted March 3, 2018 Share Posted March 3, 2018 I've just come off three of shoulder problems ending with a replacement. During that time I needed to shoot the latest weight guns that I could. I am known for my SKB's and chose a SKB 20ga. It hits the targets hard, is light and they are still affordable. Johnny Meadows Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted March 3, 2018 Share Posted March 3, 2018 Been there and Done that. Won't do it again. To begin with, for a bazillion years, Water foul and clay bird shooters asked the manufacturers (ammunition) for 20Ga that would perform like a 12. The ammunition manufacturers were happy to oblige. Most 20Ga ammunition is heavier recoiling than the same use 12Ga ammunition (Factory). 20Ga shotguns are lighter than 12Ga shotguns. Couple a lighter shotgun, with heavier recoiling ammunition and the result can be brutal recoil. There is a solution: If you must shoot a 20, first have the forcing cones lengthened as much a possible. Reduces felt recoil. For factory ammunition, look for "Fiocchi Trainer" ammunition. Takes down the poppers yet very light recoiling. Reload. Don't start with the heavy recoiling Target ammunition (Target ammunition is NOT light recoiling) prowl the range and scrounge fired cases from the barrels. Then reload to your preference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michigan Slim Posted March 3, 2018 Share Posted March 3, 2018 Try and take Kaya's 20 away. I dare ya. I tried. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 Tool up for reloading the Magtech all brass shotshells. Use a load that does not recoil a lot. Run 'em through your WWII era pump shotgun and... Oh wait... That's what I did for Zoot shooting. It was fun, worked great, had almost no recoil, and is not SASS legal. The only way I know of to go 20 gauge in CAS is with a SxS. Unless you like long shotgun barrels and roll your own light load ammo, it will recoil quite a but. Winchester never chambered the 87 or 97 for this gauge, so there really aren't any other options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slow Mo Dern Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 Hi SJS, Get a 12 gauge and a MEC shotshell press and reload your own. Use the Prairie Dawg Lite load. Your life will be so much easier and funner! You will have an easier time borrowing a box of 12 gauge if you happen to forget yours on match day. 12 gauge ammo is always on sale for $50/case or less. Mo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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