12 or 20 gauge?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Nov 23, 2005 | 12:03 PM

#46

Herrin811

Registered User

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 685

Likes: 0

From: Southern IL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorkweed

Are you speaking from experience about the Benellis or just hearsay??

My SBE with a Briley Extended Modified choke shooting Remington 3.5" T's and BBB at 1300fps, throws great patterns. It's not what you start with, but what you end up with. This year I'm shooting nothing but hevishot 3" 2's at geese and I am converted. The stuff is unbelievable!!

While the Benelli's bore is a bit tighter than the others, it doesn't mean it will throw poor patterns. I used to reload fast steel ie. 1600fps and faster. The Benellis pattern better with the slower loads. Usually under 1450-1500fps.

I like 870's. Very good gun. Probably perfect for this guy!! But since I've gotten my SBE 5 years ago, I don't shoot my other shotguns too much anymore!!

Yes, I speak from experience....

First off, I am only commenting about the NOVA with factory chokes....I dont have an SBE or other to compare (there isnt a comparison anyway) Not speaking to every Benelli, since I cant...But I do think the Nova is poor with large steel...

Got a Nova the year after they came out...Thought it was great, and killed quite a few ducks...Then came goose season...This gun sucked

They guys in the pit with the 835's, Super X2's and SP10's were killing birds....I was hitting birds, watching feathers fly, bt they werent dropping....Thinking it was just my aim, a couple others guys tried to prove me wrong....They couldnt kill birds with it either...Got out one day and patterned it at 30 yards with modified choke....It was great up to #2 steel, but after that the patterns were terrible...I had been killing ducks all year with #4's....Couldnt kill anything with BB or T's....

Got to doing some research, and found out about the underbored barrel....The Nova barrel is actually smaller than 12 gauge, where the other guns listed above are at least true 12 gauge or larger...In fact the 835 is a 10 gauge bore!! Bore size is almost a moot point when talking about lead...Lead will deform and get through there...But steel wont deform, and as a result the pattern goes in the tank...So away went the Nova, and hello 835!!!

Nov 23, 2005 | 03:02 PM

#47

IA_James

Registered User

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 513

Likes: 0

From: Iowa

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoss

P.S. - A 12 gauge loaded with 00 buckshot makes an excellent home defense gun as well....as long as you're careful about where you aim it (will go right through walls).

#4 Buck works about as well, get close to triple the pellets in there, and doesn't blow through walls like 00 will. I agree with everybody else on here, the 870 is an excellent gun for all the reasons listed above. I also agree with 12 gauge over 20, easier to find shells, and more versatile. A slight weight penalty being the only downside.

Nov 23, 2005 | 05:58 PM

#48

Dorkweed

Muted User

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 323

Likes: 0

From: "The Peoples Republic of Illinois".....behind enemy lines

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herrin821

Wasn't intending to start a urinating match here. You like yours and I like mine!!! By the way, was out goosing this afternoon and the birds were flying everywhere except into my spread!!! There's always next time though. Good luck with your season down south. And if that 835 ever gives you problems, you can always use it for a boat oar!!! It's a dual purpose waterfowling tool!!!

Nov 24, 2005 | 08:36 AM

#49

Toto

Registered User

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 257

Likes: 1

From: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

I have a Winchester Model 120? 12 g
I use it for deer...3 inch slugs... deer barrel with scope.
Years ago I used it for partrige and wished I had a 20 G or a 410-22.

A 12 g is a do all type of gun and if you are only going to have one I would use a 12G, but if I ever start to go partrige hunting again, a 20 would be nice.