20-gauge shotgun

This article does not cite any sources. Please help by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources:  –  ·  ·  · scholar · JSTOR (February 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

20 gauge
A 2¾" 20 gauge shell loaded with number 7 1/2 birdshot
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
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy ⅝ oz. Remington Slugger 2¾" 1800 ft/s 1575 ft⋅lbf ⅝ oz. Remington Slugger 2¾" 1580 ft/s 1513 ft⋅lbf 20 Pellets Federal 2¾" #3 Buck 1500 ft/s 874 ft⋅lbf 212 Pellets Fiocchi 3" #5 Shot 1200 ft/s 1748 ft⋅lbf 306 Pellets Winchester 2¾" #7½ Shot 1275 ft/s 1382 ft⋅lbf

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)