20 gauge for honkers???

[lawdog]

I know the 20 is marginal at best for honkers, but I'm thinking of taking the youngster out for the special late season with his youth 870 to try to get him some more time in the field. What I'm wondering is who (if anybody) makes a decent shell for this combination. The shots would be over decoys and not that far, but I can't find anybody loading anything bigger than a #2 pellet in 20 gauge. I'd like to get some bb's or maybe some bismuth/tunsten/hevi in the 2 - 3 size range would be OK too.

I did shoot a honker with #2 shot this year, but that was a nitro steel magnum from my 12 and that's a lot more shell than the 20 puts out...

ANY IDEAS?

[duckbill]

Cabela's carries 20 gauge Bismuth #2's.

[Bogsucker]

A #2 shot out of a 20 ga. has the same power as a #2 shot from a 12 ga. the 20 just has less pellets so range is reduced by pattern density, not by power.

I have no doubt that a 20 ga. with #2s over dekes would kill a goose. We shot some ducks with #2 steel shot this past weekend and I'm switching back to 4's for ducks as the ducks were absolutely destroyed, belly feathers sticking out their backs and almost completely bloodshot breasts, not good.

[oilguy]

My 11 year old has taken many geese including a 14-6 on the last day, last year with his 20. 1 shot is pretty good for geese hard to find though. close shots and it's not even an issue.

[huntin and fishin kid]

that is the only thing I shoot is 20 gauge I use 2's for ducks and geese but at sportsmans wharehouse and gander mountain they have federal #1's.But I use winchester 2's

it gets the job done.

[TV BOY]

I agree with oilguy, #1 (3 inch)steel 20ga is a tough find. I buy a few boxes when I find it. My wife shoots a 20.

Also consider hevi-shot.

I've killed many ducks/geese with a 20. Just put those fewer pellets where they count!

Have fun and good luck.

[Johnsonator]

I alway thought it would be a huge disadvantage using a 20 guage for waterfoul till I bought my first 20 guage this year and gave it a try. All my hunting buddys really gave me a hard time for it. I sure showed them though, I shot better than them with thier 3 1/2 inch mags. I had the best luck with kent faststeel 2's and 4's, I even killed a couple of honkers with 4's, head shots over dekes. I don't think I will ever use my 12 guage again after falling in love with my 20.

[lawdog]

Thanks guys, you've got me convinced its worth a try and won't be wasting his time anyway. He likes to be out but hasn't shot anything yet and I have a couple spots where he should have a pretty good chance for a late season goose so that should be a good option.

[duckbill]

Johnsonator,

Come on now. Comparing a 20 gauge to 3 1/2 12 gauge is like apples and oranges.

I used a 20 guage as a kid but saying that you compete with a 3 1/2 is crazy. Just in pellet count alone there is no match. You can kill a goose with a .410 but that doesn't mean that they are coming down every time you shoot. If you were out shooting your buddies and they were shooting 3 1/2's they better hit the trap range and get some practice. The best asset of the 3 1/2 is that most times when the duck hits that water it is dead so I lose a lot less ducks. That being said. The best gun for someone to shoot is a gun that they have confidence shooting.

[CANOPY SAM]

Oilguy,

Is it legal to allow your 11 year old to shoot geese in the state of Minnesota. I'm not trying to start an argument here, so please correct me if I'm wrong. I'd love to let my my son shoot too, but I thought that they had to have a firearms safety permit, and to my knowledge they can't take that program until they are 12?

Again, not criticizing, only hoping that I'm misinformed so my son can carry a gun sooner.

[Bogsucker]

The only difference is pellet count, which only affects pattern density at a specific range. At normal hunting ranges out to 30 yards a 20 ga gives up little or nothing to a 12 ga.

[Bogsucker]

Yes he may hunt. The only minimum age requirement is for big game and turkeys. No permit or stamps required for children 11 or under. Children 11 or under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

[duckbill]

Bogsucker is right on. There is no age limit for kids shooting small game and waterfowl. I know that more people think that kids have to be 12 to shoot any gun. That state should clarify that. I have seen a couple 8-9 year olds shooting ducks. Every kid is different though. There are some teenagers that I have seen that were less responsible than a lot younger kids. I say get them out there as soon as you can and keep the away from video games and drugs. It is a great way to teach responsibilty.

[Perch Jerker]

Use Hevi-Shot.

PJ

[Farley]

I have a similar problem, I have a 12 guage that only shoots 2 3/4 inch shells. We are going down to Kansas within a couple weeks and am wondering if my gun wont be enough to bring the geese down. From what I hear from guys who went last year, you're not shooting at decoying birds but at birds 30-40 yards up. should I be worried? I am planning on shooting BB or T shot.

[oilguy]

My 11 and 12 year olds have been hunting since they were 9. It takes a concerted effort on my part, but they understand RULES. I always sit between them, they don't pick up the gun until I say take-em and a lot of times I get to sit back and just watch them shoot. youth waterfowl day is a perfect situation for young hunters to practice hunting safety under adult supervision. To Many of you dads, most states offer non-resident youths the opportunity to purchase their licenses at the resident cost and they stay in the motel's or resorts for free. There's not many excuses for not taking them with ya to distant duck nirvanas.

[wingnutken]

There is no age limit for youths hunting small game and waterfowl except youths between the ages of 13-15 must have a firearms safety certificate in their possesion to hunt the youth waterfowl hunt.

[TV BOY]

I always thought that strange how youth's can hunt with a parent with no firearms safty UNTIL age 12 then they need it.

[Borch]

Quote:

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I have a similar problem, I have a 12 guage that only shoots 2 3/4 inch shells. We are going down to Kansas within a couple weeks and am wondering if my gun wont be enough to bring the geese down. From what I hear from guys who went last year, you're not shooting at decoying birds but at birds 30-40 yards up. should I be worried? I am planning on shooting BB or T shot.

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At that distance you'll be find with the 2 3/4". But I'd stick to BB or #1 shot. You'll have good energy at that distance and much better pattern density. I've been killing ducks and geese with my 2 3/4" 1100 for years. Honesty, If you do your part they won't be able to tell the difference.