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Is the 20 gauge with heavy waterfowl loads or kent fastell suitable for Ballard, old duck, and other ducks ? It I'll be a Mossberg 500 with a 28" barrel. I changed my mind to the 20 gauge because shells can cost less, less recoil, and less noise. And if it is suitable for ducks up to 30 yards and closer there is no need for a 12 gauge. Also my grandpa has a Winchester Model 12 3" magnum with a non vent rib 32" barrel. That will be my go to goose gun. So will the 20 be enough for duck ?

Jrhunter25 wrote:Is the 20 gauge with heavy waterfowl loads or kent fastell suitable for Ballard, old duck, and other ducks ? It I'll be a Mossberg 500 with a 28" barrel. I changed my mind to the 20 gauge because shells can cost less, less recoil, and less noise. And if it is suitable for ducks up to 30 yards and closer there is no need for a 12 gauge. Also my grandpa has a Winchester Model 12 3" magnum with a non vent rib 32" barrel. That will be my go to goose gun. So will the 20 be enough for duck ?

Yes the 20 is fine for ducks. I've killed mallards and sprig out to 35 yards with no problems. However If the wind is really blowing 35 mph or more I have a really hard time using the 20.

This was a hunt I did with my 20 last week. The kent 3 inch 3 shot seemed to do the trick. Ive also seen first hand tungsten matrix 3 inch 5 shot knock birds down at 50 yards but that shit ain't cheep.

I've been using a 20 for ducks (of some 17 or 18 species) most every open morning for the past seven and a half seasons and don't ever feel under gunned unless we've otherwise legitimate pass shots at geese. Decoying geese aren't a problem with the 20. Favorite load the past three or four seasons has been 2 3/4" Kent upland steel 5s.

Rick wrote:I've been using a 20 for ducks (of some 17 or 18 species) most every open morning for the past seven and a half seasons and don't ever feel under gunned unless we've otherwise legitimate pass shots at geese. Decoying geese aren't a problem with the 20. Favorite load the past three or four seasons has been 2 3/4" Kent upland steel 5s.

Kinda disappointed Rick. I was hoping to see the picture of the montefeltro again.

I save that for the dipsticks that can't run a Benelli.

Rick wrote:I save that for the dipsticks that can't run a Benelli.

I knew a guy who used to hunt ducks with a .410 every opening morning and come out with a limit of ducks. 20 gauge is fine.

20 gauge is more than adequate for ducks and geese. Just keep your shots under 35 yards and there isn't a critter on the planet that will know the difference. Compare the ballistics of 12 and 20 gauge sometime, and with the exception of the hypervelocity rounds, you'll find that the 12 and 20 usually have very similar muzzle velocities. The only real difference is pellet count. The 12 doesn't have more "knockdown power", it just gives you more pellets to increase your odds at longer ranges. All other things being equal, 10 pellets from a 12 gauge and 10 from a 20 gauge will accomplish the exact same thing. The 20 also lacks the ability to shoot larger shot (B, BB, BBB) well, so late season geese might need to be a little bit closer to ensure penetration.

20 gauge is more than adequate for ducks and geese. Just keep your shots under 35 yards and there isn't a critter on the planet that will know the difference. Compare the ballistics of 12 and 20 gauge sometime, and with the exception of the hypervelocity rounds, you'll find that the 12 and 20 usually have very similar muzzle velocities. The only real difference is pellet count. The 12 doesn't have more "knockdown power", it just gives you more pellets to increase your odds at longer ranges. All other things being equal, 10 pellets from a 12 gauge and 10 from a 20 gauge will accomplish the exact same thing. The 20 also lacks the ability to shoot larger shot (B, BB, BBB) well, so late season geese might need to be a little bit closer to ensure penetration.