thinking of getting a 20 gauge

[Jmbradt3873]

I have a mossie 500 in 12, and a maverick 88 in 20, I use both for turkey hunting and I can guarantee the 20 doesn't have near the recoil as the 12

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

[g8rvet]

I too shoot the Weatherby SA-459.  If you really want to lower recoil, the auto will lessen the effects.  With that said, the youth model 870 I set up for my daughter with a limbsaver pad on it is about as light shooting as the 459.  You are shooting lower ounce shot in the 20 than the 12 with similar 40 yards patterns when dialed in (less shot load equals less recoil according to Sir Isaac Newton!).  I will kill one with the 870 one day, but want my daughter to kill one with it first. My son took his first bird with the gun years ago.

I honestly will probably never shoot a 12 gauge at a turkey again.  3 birds have fallen from the 459 - 38  yards, 35 yards and 25 yards.  All were quite dead. 

[howl]

The 835 is a much heavier gun than these light 20s. It is even significantly heavier than a 500. The recoil from the lightweight 20, meaning around six pounds or less, is not only more than a standard shell from the heavy gun, it is faster. That speed of recoil is most of what makes them hurt more.

[wvspitndrum]

Have both an 835 and an 870 youth / 21" 20 ga , I promise you there is considerable difference in recoil between the two !! That's shooting 3 " loads out of both guns , haven't shot 3.5" loads out of the 835  in 19 years  !!

[g8rvet]

The 835 is a much heavier gun than these light 20s. It is even significantly heavier than a 500. The recoil from the lightweight 20, meaning around six pounds or less, is not only more than a standard shell from the heavy gun, it is faster. That speed of recoil is most of what makes them hurt more.

Maybe to you (felt recoil).   No possible way is  the actual physical recoil (force = mass x acceleration) actually greater in the 20.  I get what you are saying though, not arguing with ya on that. I much prefer shooting my 45 cal semi auto over my 380.  The 45 is full frame and the 380 is small and it just feels sharper.  Not a harder kick, just not as comfortable.  The 835 is harder to accelerate due to it's weight, but it is harder to deccelerate as well, the 20 accelerates faster, but also deccelerates faster. The force of the recoil is caused by the load, not the gun. 2 ounces at 1300fps has a greater recoil than 1.5 ounces at 1300fps.

Best thing to do is try out shooting a 20 and see what he thinks.  What kicks to some, others do not mind. 

[Greg Massey]

The 835 is a much heavier gun than these light 20s. It is even significantly heavier than a 500. The recoil from the lightweight 20, meaning around six pounds or less, is not only more than a standard shell from the heavy gun, it is faster. That speed of recoil is most of what makes them hurt more.

Maybe to you (felt recoil).   No possible way is  the actual physical recoil (force = mass x acceleration) actually greater in the 20.  I get what you are saying though, not arguing with ya on that. I much prefer shooting my 45 cal semi auto over my 380.  The 45 is full frame and the 380 is small and it just feels sharper.  Not a harder kick, just not as comfortable.  The 835 is harder to accelerate due to it's weight, but it is harder to deccelerate as well, the 20 accelerates faster, but also deccelerates faster. The force of the recoil is caused by the load, not the gun. 2 ounces at 1300fps has a greater recoil than 1.5 ounces at 1300fps.

Best thing to do is try out shooting a 20 and see what he thinks.  What kicks to some, others do not mind.

After setting up my 20 gauge last year after hunting season and carrying it last week and killing my first bird with it you couldn't trade me my nice 12 gauge that i.ve been hunting with over the years back for my 20 gauge now. love this little gun and carrying it was a lot easier and i'm 60 year old.

[darron]

A 20ga kicking more than an 835 is ridiculous. Totally not the case and I have went from shooting a 10ga, to a 12ga now to a 20.

I have three 20's set up:
870 with a truglo ssx shooting hw 7
1187 with carlson .575 hevi 13 7
franchi with a carlson .575 fed hw 7

I shoot the franchi just because it's newer, but out of the three my 870 has the best 10" #, in fact probably too tight. It is hitting on ave 190-200 at 40. My 1187 will do 150's with hevi shot 7. My franchi actually has the least # of pellets in the 10, BUT it has the most even pattern and allows for shooter error more than the other two.

If money is an issue get the 870. If not I would look at the franchi as they are basically an m2 only 400-600 cheaper.

[Greg Massey]

A 20ga kicking more than an 835 is ridiculous. Totally not the case and I have went from shooting a 10ga, to a 12ga now to a 20.

I have three 20's set up:
870 with a truglo ssx shooting hw 7
1187 with carlson .575 hevi 13 7
franchi with a carlson .575 fed hw 7

I shoot the franchi just because it's newer, but out of the three my 870 has the best 10" #, in fact probably too tight. It is hitting on ave 190-200 at 40. My 1187 will do 150's with hevi shot 7. My franchi actually has the least # of pellets in the 10, BUT it has the most even pattern and allows for shooter error more than the other two.

If money is an issue get the 870. If not I would look at the franchi as they are basically an m2 only 400-600 cheaper.

I killed bird number 3 yesterday in Tenn with my new 20 gauge. it was 45 yards using federal HW number 7 and a trulock 565 choke. I will not go back to my 12 gauge. Love this 20 gauge for a old man.