doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com best all around gauge?

At 8AM a 12 gauge.
At 3PM, a 16 or 20 gauge!!!

I can go into WalMart and buy a 7/8oz 20 gauge load. I can go into Gander Mountain and buy a 20 gauge 1-1/8oz load.

I can't get a 7/8oz 12 gauge load in either place.

Best,

Mike

Edit - I concede the 12ga 1-1/8oz load patterns better than the 1-1/8oz twenty.

What's wrong with 1oz 12ga load. I bought whole lot of Fiocchi black paper case 1oz puny 1100+/-fps shells at closeout price in local Gander Mountain. It's small birdie load I intend to use those in my sub. 6lb Remi 31 alloy piece.

Nothing wrong with them at all. As a matter of fact I have developed a flinch that occurs when target shooting. I have switched to Federal 12 ga 1oz 2-3/4DE 1180 FPS target loads and it has all but eliminated the problem.

I have looked for low velocity 12ga 1oz loads at my local Gander but have never seen any. Maybe they think Real Texans don't shoot light loads.

Best,

Mike

I would say 12 gauge also. The best part is that it is more versatile AND you can reload them yourself to your own specs and it is 1/3-1/2 cheaper than if you bought them in a store. Good luck.

Having not shot skeet in many a year, I am a little ignorant on what type of target loads are still available. I know that I always shot higher scores using Federal paper loads than I did with Winchester AA's. Does Federal still offer their paper target loads and where can I get them or an equivalent?

thanks,
binko

Remember he did say "I mainly hunt quail, grouse, woodcock and occasionally pheasants." I'm not a grouse hunter or woodcock for that matter, but I believe they are easily taken with a 20g as are the quail. He didn't mention that this would be a 'clays gun' nor would I think to use my lightweight field guns for such regular duty...on occasion for practice? sure. The pheasant would be the only bird (if wild pheasant) that would even seem worthy of a 12g shell, IMO. If he's going to buy both 12 and 20g guns eventually, maybe it's more a question of what gauges are in his current arsenal as to which to buy first. If he's more comfortable/confident with a 12g, maybe that's what he ought to get for a first sxs just to ensure "small gun syndrome" doesn't errode his confidence with a new type (sxs) of gun. The same could be said for single vs. double triggers for someone to go from an auto (single trigger) to a sxs with double triggers for the first time can be a struggle with sight picture as well as the trigger differences. It can and has made many a person shy away or poo-poo sxs's and double triggers. My first sxs was a sst BSS for that reason. Change can be intimidating and changing one thing at a time can help transition.

Binko,
Last I looked a few weeks ago, Federal Gold Medal Target Paper loads were still cataloged. They are available in a number of loads, some light and slow to fast and heavy.

thanks for the replies. I would have to admit, I would rather hunt with a double than anything else. 12 gauge SxS's have always seemed a bit "chunky" for me. I would likely want to stick to 16 or 20.

Obviously a 20 ga will kill pheasants and I would not go past a 1 0z of 5 or 6s. All of the birds you mentioned require walking. I think that you could get a 20 and be happy for the rest of your life. It is not really about versatility....it is about what you want.