20-gauge shotgun
This article does not cite any sources. (February 2019) |
20 gauge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Type | Shotgun | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of origin | United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Production history | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Manufacturer | Various | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Variants | 2½" (63.5 mm), 2¾"(70 mm), 3" (76.2 mm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Specifications | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shoulder diameter | .615 in (17.0942mm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Base diameter | .692 in (17.576mm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Rim diameter | .761 in | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Rim thickness | .050 in | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Case length | 2.270 in | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Primer type | Shotshell Primer | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Maximum pressure | 12,000 psi (83 MPa) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Ballistic performance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 20-gauge shotgun, also known as "20-bore", is a type of smooth-bore shotgun that fires a shell that is smaller in caliber (.615 in (15.6 mm)) than a 12-gauge shotgun (.729 in (18.5 mm)). It is often used by beginning shooters for target practice and for hunting small game.
Description[]
It takes 20 lead balls of the diameter of a 20-gauge shotgun bore to equal one pound, while it only takes 12 lead balls of the diameter of a 12-gauge shotgun bore to equal the same weight. A 20-gauge shotgun is more suitable for hunting certain types of game or for some hunters because it recoils less, and the guns weigh less and may be smaller.
Specifications[]
20-gauge shotguns are especially suitable for hunting game birds such as quail, grouse, turkey, and other game when using shot shells. A 20-gauge can also shoot slugs and buckshot and thereby become an effective deer-hunting gun. While shotguns loaded with slugs are generally less accurate than rifles, full-power shells often have better stopping power at short range due to the large mass of the projectile.
Performance[]
A usually lower weapon weight makes a 20-gauge appropriate for young, elderly, or weaker shooters who may have a difficult time carrying, aiming, and firing a larger shotgun. In addition, 20-gauge shotguns generally have less recoil than 10-, 12-, or 16-gauge versions on average, when comparing standard hunting shells, due to the lower projectile payload. These parameters make the 20-gauge more pleasant to use on extended hunting trips for small game or upland birds, even for people capable of firing magnum-power 12-gauge hunting rounds.
It should be noted, however, that full-power 20-gauge shells fired from a light 4.5 lb (2.0 kg) weapon will have more felt recoil than reduced-recoil 12-gauge shells fired from a heavy 8 lb (3.6 kg) weapon.
See also[]
- Gauge (bore diameter)
- Shotgun shell
- Shotgun
- Cartridge (firearms)
- Shotguns
- Shotgun shells