Glad I got a 20 gauge

meathead19 · 03-06-2013, 08:06

As I went to my local Wally world and all they had were 20 ga slugs, some birdshot and some 7mm rds. No 12 ga of anything.

So, I bought 3 boxes of Winchester 20 ga rifled slugs 3/4 oz. $5/box. Has a picture of a deer on the front. So, I guess they'd do for self defense if need be.

They also had the Remington value pack.....15 5/8 oz slugs for $12.00.

Any difference between the 5/8 oz and 3/4 oz slugs except the amount of lead? One better for SD/HD?

gatorboy · 03-06-2013, 08:50

It's like the difference between a 180 and a 165 gr. bullet. All other things being equal, not much. Buy both and see which is more accurate. For HD, stick with 00 or 000 buck shot.

meathead19 · 03-06-2013, 09:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorboy

It's like the difference between a 180 and a 165 gr. bullet. All other things being equal, not much. Buy both and see which is more accurate. For HD, stick with 00 or 000 buck shot.

I do have several #3 buckshot boxes, but didn't know they made anything bigger than #3 for 20 ga.

gatorboy · 03-06-2013, 09:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by meathead19

I do have several #3 buckshot boxes, but didn't know they made anything bigger than #3 for 20 ga.

Oh, I'm pretty sure they do. It's been a long time since I dug my 20 guage out but I'll check. I bought five boxes of everything I could find online when I first purchased it. The 000 may be 3" only but I'm almost certain they load it all, just less of it. I remember for HD, the BS without the copper coating was better for indoors in terms of overpenetration. Though again, the difference is minimal.

gatorboy · 03-06-2013, 10:08

You may be right, I dug through my ammo boxes and 2 buck is the heaviest I could find. It's Federal Premium 2.75

Adamz04 · 03-06-2013, 14:22

According to VP Biden all you need for self defense is a shotgun. So your good to go. Just don't forget to go outside and fire a couple warning shots into the air first. What an idiot.

SCmasterblaster · 03-13-2013, 14:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by meathead19

As I went to my local Wally world and all they had were 20 ga slugs, some birdshot and some 7mm rds. No 12 ga of anything.

So, I bought 3 boxes of Winchester 20 ga rifled slugs 3/4 oz. $5/box. Has a picture of a deer on the front. So, I guess they'd do for self defense if need be.

They also had the Remington value pack.....15 5/8 oz slugs for $12.00.

Any difference between the 5/8 oz and 3/4 oz slugs except the amount of lead? One better for SD/HD?

Seems to me that the 20-ga slugs would work quite well for SD.

Glock19Fan · 03-14-2013, 00:56

Either slug would work, but I would go with the 5/8 ounce. IIRC its moving around 1800 FPS and at that velocity lead doesnt stand a change of holding together.

However, I would recommend buckshot for SD/HD. Although my 20 gauge is far from my primary HD weapon, I keep it loaded with #3 Buckshot (Twenty .25 caliber pellets). Pretty devastating load and is one of the more common and easy to find loads. The copper loaded loads seem to get slightly more penetration, but are more expensive.

SCmasterblaster · 03-14-2013, 09:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glock19Fan

Either slug would work, but I would go with the 5/8 ounce. IIRC its moving around 1800 FPS and at that velocity lead doesnt stand a change of holding together.

However, I would recommend buckshot for SD/HD. Although my 20 gauge is far from my primary HD weapon, I keep it loaded with #3 Buckshot (Twenty .25 caliber pellets). Pretty devastating load and is one of the more common and easy to find loads. The copper loaded loads seem to get slightly more penetration, but are more expensive.

That #3 buckshot is pretty good.

***Short Cut*** · 03-14-2013, 10:06

It looks like #3 Buck Shot is pretty much thee defensive load out there. You think the ammo makers just sell so much less 20 Ga defensive ammo than 12 and that's why there are a lot less loads to choose from? I found several manufacturers, but they all offered basically the same thing.

Any comments on the round? I'd be using strictly 2.75" rounds.

***Short Cut*** · 03-14-2013, 10:07

Just thought it was odd that the big makers all had #3, but not 2, 1, or 00. The #3 has 20 pellets in 2.75". I wouldn't mind checking out something larger with like a dozen pellets per shell. I'm thinking there must be some reason why #3 has become the selected HD round.

SCmasterblaster · 03-14-2013, 10:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Short Cut

Just thought it was odd that the big makers all had #3, but not 2, 1, or 00. The #3 has 20 pellets in 2.75". I wouldn't mind checking out something larger with like a dozen pellets per shell. I'm thinking there must be some reason why #3 has become the selected HD round.

Yes, I wonder why the ammo makers do not make a larger buckshot load for the 20ga?

Glock19Fan · 03-14-2013, 14:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCmasterblaster

Yes, I wonder why the ammo makers do not make a larger buckshot load for the 20ga?

I dont have the answer, but to be honest I think #3 is a great compromise between the number of pellets, size, and penetration. 20 pellets weighs over an ounce, and with the velocity being in the 1200-1300 FPS range it is very comparable energy wise to many 12 gauge loads.

It would be nice to have a common 00 buckshot load in 20 gauge, but I wouldnt see it holding more than 5-7 pellets and I think the manufacturers believe they are better off loading a higher number of smaller pellets in the 20 gauge shell.

SCmasterblaster · 03-14-2013, 18:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glock19Fan

I dont have the answer, but to be honest I think #3 is a great compromise between the number of pellets, size, and penetration. 20 pellets weighs over an ounce, and with the velocity being in the 1200-1300 FPS range it is very comparable energy wise to many 12 gauge loads.

It would be nice to have a common 00 buckshot load in 20 gauge, but I wouldnt see it holding more than 5-7 pellets and I think the manufacturers believe they are better off loading a higher number of smaller pellets in the 20 gauge shell.

I think that you have it right. The narrower 20-ga shell needs a smaller buckshot pellet size.

gatorboy · 03-14-2013, 19:36

There is 2 out there. I'd choose it over 3 if obtainable just for more penetration and better pattern without resorting to slugs. Slugs would'nt be my first choice when 44 mag and 45 Colt and the longer stroke calibers are available in lever guns with 2-3X the capacity of an average pump shotty with the benefit of a rifled barrel. I like a slug at the top of the mag tube for a last resort. Otherwise, does'nt a slug defeat the purpose of a room or hallway distance shotty? I believe it does. My 44 mag lever holds 10+1, my 20 guage 4+1. I have higher capacity semi-auto 12 guages but they're night/day to a light, handy 20 guage pump.

JimIsland · 03-14-2013, 20:12

I know nothing about slugs.can I shoot them out of my stock remington 870? I have been trying to find federal power shock 3" buckshot in 20gauge for several months to no avail :(

gatorboy · 03-14-2013, 20:31

The stock choke allows for slug use. You can try them for accuracy with and without it installed (suggested). The stock choke is'nt very restrictive so the smaller the buck/shot, the tighter the choke you'll want unless it's at room distance. Look up available choke's and suggested loads for your 870. Three chokes are more than enough for SD, two should do it.

JimIsland · 03-14-2013, 20:56

perfect thanks.

SCmasterblaster · 03-15-2013, 14:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorboy

There is 2 out there. I'd choose it over 3 if obtainable just for more penetration and better pattern without resorting to slugs. Slugs would'nt be my first choice when 44 mag and 45 Colt and the longer stroke calibers are available in lever guns with 2-3X the capacity of an average pump shotty with the benefit of a rifled barrel. I like a slug at the top of the mag tube for a last resort. Otherwise, does'nt a slug defeat the purpose of a room or hallway distance shotty? I believe it does. My 44 mag lever holds 10+1, my 20 guage 4+1. I have higher capacity semi-auto 12 guages but they're night/day to a light, handy 20 guage pump.

I wonder - are 20ga shotguns lighter and handier than 12ga SGs?

countrygun · 03-15-2013, 15:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCmasterblaster

I wonder - are 20ga shotguns lighter and handier than 12ga SGs?

Yes they generally are made on lighter frames.

SCmasterblaster · 03-16-2013, 13:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by countrygun

Yes they generally are made on lighter frames.

I guess that here could be less mass in the receiver.

collim1 · 03-16-2013, 23:54

I load my HD shotgun with 12g 27 pellet #4 buck. The 20 pellet #3 buck is pretty comparable to that. At HD distances I wouldn't worry about having larger shot, the #3 load will work just fine.

SCmasterblaster · 03-18-2013, 17:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by collim1

I load my HD shotgun with 12g 27 pellet #4 buck. The 20 pellet #3 buck is pretty comparable to that. At HD distances I wouldn't worry about having larger shot, the #3 load will work just fine.

Your opponents will have a very hard time avoiding your buckshot blasts, that's for sure.