Texas Outfitter

The best pheasant, quail and chukar hunting in Texas

should i use 12gauge or 20 gauge for dove and quail hunting?

i have a little duck hunting so want to get 12 gauge but can i hunt duck with a 20 gauge

I’d say you need to go ahead and get the 12 gauge. A 20 is fine for upland birds such as quail or grouse, but even some of the high flying doves make a 20 stretch its legs.

Not knocking the 20 gauge, but for an all around shotgun, the 12 gauge is a much better choice.

I’d suggest a Mossberg M-500 or a Remington M-870 pump-shotgun since they are less ammo sensitive than most semi-automatic shotguns.

Doc

  1. GUNMAN Said,

    either would be fine a 20 may not reach as far but will kill the bird cleaner not as much nastiness
    References :

  2. John de Witt Said,

    If you’re adding ducks, by all means get the 12. The few extra ounces of weight in the gun for upland birds won’t be that much of a hindrance, especially compared to the real limitations of the 20 bore in the duck blind.
    References :

  3. Fatefinger Said,

    You can use both guages, it depends on the shells load. A gun store clerk would be able to tell you. They also say on the box. I believe you have to use steel shot when hunting fowl as well.
    References :
    "Bitter"

  4. Doc Hudson Said,

    I’d say you need to go ahead and get the 12 gauge. A 20 is fine for upland birds such as quail or grouse, but even some of the high flying doves make a 20 stretch its legs.

    Not knocking the 20 gauge, but for an all around shotgun, the 12 gauge is a much better choice.

    I’d suggest a Mossberg M-500 or a Remington M-870 pump-shotgun since they are less ammo sensitive than most semi-automatic shotguns.

    Doc
    References :

  5. Char Said,

    I would go with the 12 gauge
    I soot a 20 gauge for phesant but my dad uses a 12 his goes futher.
    References :

  6. ballisticsman49 Said,

    12ga, far more powerful and versitile for loading with different shot size. Also using different wadding you can effect you grouping.

    Definitely 12ga

    Trust me im alpha!
    References :

  7. Rafael T Said,

    either would be fine but for larger birds than dove or quail i would use 12 gauge
    References :

  8. J2a1* Said,

    For dove and quail you can use either 12 or 20 ga. For big ducks you may need more than a ounce of shot, so I would go with a 12 ga. Make sure to buy a 12 ga with chambers that are 2 3/4" or longer.

    good luck.
    References :
    NSCA Master Class

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