Fudd Friday: What Shotgun Gauge For What Hunting Season?
It seems there’s a new rifle cartridge introduced every few months, always promising more, more: More energy downrange, more accuracy, more comfortable shooting. But in the world of shotguns, there are six commonly available gauges, and it has been that way for a long time. Why is that, and if you’re looking to buy a new shotgun for hunting, what gauge should you buy? The big-bore 10 gauge? The all-around 12 gauge? Or 16 gauge, 20 gauge, or 28 gauge, or .410? Read on for a simple explanation.
Hunting shotguns @ TFB:
A confusing measurement
The size of a shotgun gauge, or bore, gets larger as the number gets smaller. In other words, a 10 gauge has a larger-diameter barrel than a 20 gauge.
This is because shotgun gauge sizes were determined by one of the most archaic measurements possible. The size of the gauge is determined by the number of lead spheres of equal diameter that would be necessary to make up a pound.
A 10 gauge barrel is 0.775 inches in diameter, because it would take 10 lead balls of 0.775-inch diameter to make a pound. A single lead ball, in 0.775-inch diameter, would weigh one-tenth of a pound.
A 20 gauge barrel is 0.615 inches in diameter, because it would take 20 lead balls of 0.615-inch diameter to make a pound. A single lead ball, in 0.615-inch diameter, would weigh one-twentieth of a pound.
It might seem like a silly way of doing things, but that’s how it’s been for centuries. The exception is .410 bore. The barrel of a .410 shotgun is 0.41 inches in diameter, and depending on who you ask, that works out to about a 67-gauge—but nobody calls it that.
What gauge do you want for hunting?
If you want to buy a shotgun for hunting, what gauge do you want? The answer depends not just on what you’re hunting, but how you’re hunting. Consider the following run-down of the six common shotgun gauges.
10 gauge
The 10 gauge shotgun has been around a long time. Historically, the shells were available in various lengths, but the manufacturers have only made 3.5-inch 10 gauge shells in recent decades. The 10 gauge is the largest-diameter shotgun round you can buy for hunting, and for a long time, hunters chose it because it had the heaviest payload you could buy in a shotshell. You can buy 10 gauge buckshot and rifled slugs for deer hunting, but very few hunters take a 10 gauge after big game, since most 10 gauge shotguns are long and heavy, and the slugs and buckshot loads have punishing recoil.
Instead, the overwhelming majority of 10 gauge users are going after Canada geese or snow geese, or large ducks like eiders. The 10 gauge is also used for sandhill cranes and turkeys. Most 10 gauge shooters use them from a blind, due to the guns’ heavy weight. Generally speaking, 10 gauge ammunition is expensive compared to other gauges, and a 10 gauge is considered overkill on most birds and other game.
12 gauge
The 12 gauge has long been the most popular all-around shotgun choice. Currently, 12 gauge shotshells are available most commonly in 2.75-inch, 3-inch and 3.5-inch lengths. The shorter-length shells are generally lighter loads, suited for small game and smaller birds, although people hunt even geese and big game with heavier 2.75-inch shells. The longer 3-inch shells are popular for waterfowl hunters, and the 3.5-inch loads can carry the same payload as a 10-gauge.
Generally speaking, the 12 gauge is the most versatile hunting caliber available worldwide, although it is often considered a bit overkill for smaller animals.
16 gauge
Once upon a time, 16 gauge shotguns were very popular. Hunters used to say a 16 gauge gun “hit like a 12, carried like a 20.” What they meant was, scaled-down 16-gauge actions were easier to haul afield than a 12 gauge, but they weren’t giving up much performance. But now, 16 gauge shells are only available in 2.75-inch length, and this gauge has been eclipsed in popularity by the 20 gauge.
A 16 gauge is just as effective on small game and even big game as ever (yes, you can buy 16 gauge slugs and buckshot), but there are few shotguns made in this chambering, and there are fewer factory ammo choices. The shells are more expensive than 20 gauge and 12 gauge, too. For that reason, 16 gauge is best used by upland hunters who might not shoot the same volume of shells as a waterfowler.
20 gauge
These days, 20 gauge shotguns are the second-most common chambering after 12 gauge. The 2.75-inch factory loads are well-suited for small game hunting, with low recoil and lighter shot patterns that put fewer holes in your meat. Three-inch factory loads are better-suited for bigger waterfowl, even geese if you’re a good shot, and a 20 gauge slug gun is actually preferable for many deer hunters over a 12 gauge (20-gauge buckshot is not as popular as 12-gauge).
Some shooters say 20 gauge is best for smaller-framed hunters, but in reality, it will do the job almost as well as 12 gauge on most game. If you’re mainly chasing upland birds, rabbits and other smaller animals, a 20 gauge is an excellent choice, and it can handle bigger game with no difficulty.
28 gauge
Why go smaller than 20 gauge? Some people want lighter shotguns or less recoil. The 28 gauge has less jam than even the 20 gauge, and unless you’re an expert, this is best for small game or the skeet range, whether you’re shooting 3-inch or 2.75-inch shells.
Unless you’re specifically targeting pigeons or partridge or similar-sized game, leave the 28 gauge until you’re a better shot. Certainly don’t buy one for deer hunting (although you can find deer loads for the gun, if you already have one).
.410 Bore
The .410 Bore is popular with two sets of shooters: Young hunters and people specifically looking to ground-swat small game. Wingshooting with the tiny .410 is much harder than the 20 gauge, as there are far fewer pellets in the cartridge. However, many people consider that a worthwhile trade-off for lower recoil, in the case of inexperienced shooters. And more experienced hunters looking for minimal meat damage are happy to have their meat less shot up.
You can find slugs and buckshot for the .410, so you can use it on deer in a pinch, but it is certainly not recommended when compared to 20 gauge shotguns or larger.
Professional hoser with fudd-ish leanings.
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Ah yes, the 9mm. The perfect garden gun. Also popular for indoor skeet shooting over there across the ocean.
Don't forget about the 24 gauge, it has a following (abet a small one here).
.410 snake gun.
For me 12 for protein, 20 for sport.
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Has the term "FUDD" now come to mean anything non-tactical?
Because if we're sticking to the original usage as a term to describe those obnoxious gun owners that loudly hate on other people's choice of firearms then I'd argue that nowadays it would be more appropriate to use the term for the tacti-bros who think that any rifle that isn't an AR or handgun that isn't a double stack 9mm is obsolete and your taking your life in your hands if you use anything else.
Those guys are the most annoying people on the internet.
I have been using a 20 for the last 15 years. It has taught me two things. One, you need a 12. Two, I am a slow learner.