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**Mike Irwin** · November 11, 2023, 08:16 PM

The older I get, the more I come to like the lighter shotguns for which the 20 is chambered.

Some years ago I picked up a SxS Stevens 311 in 20 gauge and I am absolutely in love with it.

I truly believe that the 20 gauge has its place in a shotgun arsenal right alongside a 12 gauge.

Of course yes, there's some truth to the saying that there's nothing a 20 can do that a 12 can't do better...

Same could be said of a 10 gauge... Or an 8 gauge...

I've never been a big fan of over unders, that's just a personal thing on my part, but my suggestion would be to, if you can, handle both the 20 and a 12 and see which one mechanically works better for you. There can be a lot of different in how they handle.

November 11, 2023, 08:16 PM	#7
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,401	The older I get, the more I come to like the lighter shotguns for which the 20 is chambered. Some years ago I picked up a SxS Stevens 311 in 20 gauge and I am absolutely in love with it. I truly believe that the 20 gauge has its place in a shotgun arsenal right alongside a 12 gauge. Of course yes, there's some truth to the saying that there's nothing a 20 can do that a 12 can't do better... Same could be said of a 10 gauge... Or an 8 gauge... I've never been a big fan of over unders, that's just a personal thing on my part, but my suggestion would be to, if you can, handle both the 20 and a 12 and see which one mechanically works better for you. There can be a lot of different in how they handle. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.