20-gauge shotgun

20-gauge shotgun

The 20-gauge shotgun is a type of shotgun that is less common than the 12-gauge. This may be because the 20-gauge shotgun has a smaller diameter (caliber) bore than the 12-gauge. Specifically, it takes 20 balls of the diameter of a 20-gauge shotgun bore to equal 1 pound, while it only takes 12 balls of the diameter of a 12-gauge shotgun bore to equal the same amount. A 20-gauge shotgun is sometimes considered more suitable for hunting certain types of game, because it destroys less of a game animal's meat.

20-gauge shotguns are especially suitable for hunting small game when using shot shells. A 20-gauge can also shoot slugs and thereby become an effective deer-hunting gun. 20-gauge shotguns loaded with slugs are usually less accurate than rifles, but they often have better stopping power at short range—although this depends on the amount of gun powder in the shell's load.

In addition, a 20-gauge shotgun has less recoil than 10, 12 or 16-gauge versions on average, and may be more desirable to those who want to consider their shoulder joints. The lower recoil also makes a 20-gauge appropriate for younger shooters who may have a difficult time firing a larger shotgun.


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