12 Gauges Are Overrated Change my mind

[Public Land Drew]

Switched from a 12 gauge Benelli SBE to exclusively shooting 28 Tri-Star Bristol SxS this year for upland birds, out west chasing Chukars, Huns, Quail, and Pheasants. I am shooting over a GSP and Black Lab.

I have found that if I do my part right inside of 35 yards the birds crunch dead strictly shooting #6 lead all season with a Modified and IM choke (except chukars, a 20 would be nice in those rugged mountains). The reduced recoil, follow-up shots, and less damaged birds have been the upside.

I missed birds this year don't get me wrong but the difference between 28 and 12 killing power was minmal (maybe 10-20 birds a season)

I am curious what everyone's thoughts are on the 12 vs sub gauges for Upland Birds. I am convinced that anything over 20 is overkill for Upland Birds.

 

[Speaks]

I own 12s but rarely use anything over a 20. My 686 28 is actually 2oz heavier than my 686 20 so I just carry the 20.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I'm too cheap for a 28ga. But my 12ga got parked soon as I snagged a 20ga. 2-3/4 #6 will kill stuff just as dead.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Oh god…here we go. I knew this day would come.

 

[PredatoronthePrairie]

I want a gun that can dump giant Canada's at 50 yards, roosters at 40 and teal at 10 all on the same hunt if needed.

If I'm busting catails for roosters and a flock of mallards buzzes over at 40, I want one for the roaster.

So for that reason. I carry a 12.

And 12-20 birds is not a small number.

But I bet... if I carried a 28 for a change of pace. It would be a fun change up.

 

[gerry35]

I'm far from a big upland game bird hunter but I moved out my 12 gauge and shoot a 20 and 28 now. Just added a nice little single shot 410 at Christmas time too, will be perfect for the quail around here.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I am a 12ga guy. I carry a browning cynergy feather for upland - it weighs nothing and fits me like a glove. I rarely miss with it. I dont notice the recoil in the field and am mostly shooting wild birds, so late season it helps.

 

[chemist]

Hunting an area that allows lead and planning on a 10+ mile hike, I will be carrying my 20 gauge.

A short hike where nontoxic is required, I will be carrying my 12 gauge.

The 12 gauge does not have more killing power on a per pellet basis. It does have the potential for a larger shot charge which equates to a higher pattern density which is not a needed factor for distances I shoot until steel shot enters the equation.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Switched from a 12 gauge Benelli SBE to exclusively shooting 28 Tri-Star Bristol SxS this year for upland birds, out west chasing Chukars, Huns, Quail, and Pheasants. I am shooting over a GSP and Black Lab.

I have found that if I do my part right inside of 35 yards the birds crunch dead strictly shooting #6 lead all season with a Modified and IM choke (except chukars, a 20 would be nice in those rugged mountains). The reduced recoil, follow-up shots, and less damaged birds have been the upside.

I missed birds this year don't get me wrong but the difference between 28 and 12 killing power was minmal (maybe 10-20 birds a season)

I am curious what everyone's thoughts are on the 12 vs sub gauges for Upland Birds. I am convinced that anything over 20 is overkill for Upland Birds.

You are correct! Own 4 12 gauges that collect dust… but they are great guns. I only hunt with 20 gauges now, would love to bump it to 28 some day

 

[Jason Snyder]

I’ve shot a 16 gauge for about 12 years now. Always 2 3/4” 5 or 6s, never had an issue. I just sold it and am moving down to a 20 gauge for upland.

 

[Gseith]

I like to shoot old doubles for upland, and unfortunately the sub gauges are expensive.
I have a couple Ithaca flues 12’s from the 1920’s with shorter barrels. I use light loads. These older db’s weigh about the same as a new cheap 20 gauge double. And I never felt like over doing it with light loads.
And older doubles just look good.

 

[2ski]

I shot a 28 at a training day that someone let me use while he handled his dog. It was a sweet gun. I also hit pigeons that flew away....

 

[Tod osier]

Switched from a 12 gauge Benelli SBE to exclusively shooting 28 Tri-Star Bristol SxS this year for upland birds, out west chasing Chukars, Huns, Quail, and Pheasants. I am shooting over a GSP and Black Lab.

I have found that if I do my part right inside of 35 yards the birds crunch dead strictly shooting #6 lead all season with a Modified and IM choke (except chukars, a 20 would be nice in those rugged mountains). The reduced recoil, follow-up shots, and less damaged birds have been the upside.

I missed birds this year don't get me wrong but the difference between 28 and 12 killing power was minmal (maybe 10-20 birds a season)

I am curious what everyone's thoughts are on the 12 vs sub gauges for Upland Birds. I am convinced that anything over 20 is overkill for Upland Birds.

If you choose to shoot steel at upland birds, the 12 has an edge.

 

[z987k]

I'm too cheap for a 28ga. But my 12ga got parked soon as I snagged a 20ga. 2-3/4 #6 will kill stuff just as dead.

I can't even find the shells I generally want for upland in 20ga on the shelves. I have to order them. 28's are twice the price and even more rare.

 

[Kurts86]

I shot only 28 gauge in 2024 just to try it out and I was surprised by how little I gave up over 12 gauge. The qualifier being you really need Hevishot/TSS/Bismuth with the sub gauges for great waterfowl performance.

I still shoot 12 gauge as my primary clays gun but that’s just to keep the gun weight up and shell cost down while I shoot near 28 gauge payloads.

It’s funny because my dad’s generation went big with 10 gauges and 3.5” 12 gauges and now as ammo progressed the pendulum is swinging the other way.

 

[Claybuster]

I only use a 20gs for birds. 12ga for everything else, but I only used 7/8 ounce 12ga loads for clays.

 

[Choupique]

I'm still a 12ga fan. Steel shot sucks. If it wasn't for that, 16ga would be my preference.

Ducks and deer get the 12ga, everything else gets the .410

 

[eamyrick]

I very much prefer a 20 gauge o/u for upland birds but if I’m duck hunting with my dog or walking all day with only one or two shot opportunities I carry a 12 gauge 24 inch Benelli ultralight that is the same weight as my 20s.

 

[CjMelendrez]

I'm in the middle of new gun research and I'm leaning towards a 20... i own 2 pump 12's and want a semi-auto. tell me I'm wrong for wanting a 20 semi over a 12 semi....

 

[Dos Perros]

@Public Land Drew you'll get no argument from me, you're right!

I don't even use a 12 hunting turkeys anymore.

Waterfowl I'd still take a 12 most of the time. If I was expecting ducks close the 20 would be fine.