What is the best gauge for a shotgun?

12 gauge
Most hunters looking for a versatile shotgun will opt for a 12 gauge, or a 20 gauge if they want something lighter. You can purchase ammunition but will be limited. 20 Gauge – Of all the smaller shotguns, the 20 gauge is the most common, ranking right behind the 12 gauge in popularity.

Which is more powerful a 10-gauge or 12 gauge?

The 10-Gauge Advantage 775-bore whereas 12s have around . 729), which makes it capable of shooting larger size shot than a 12. It also makes it more deadly at distance because the wider bore allows 10-gauge pellets to arrive at the target all at once.

What are 20 gauge shotguns good for?

Specifications. 20-gauge shotguns are especially suitable for hunting game birds such as quail, grouse, turkey, and other game when using shot shells. A 20-gauge can also shoot slugs and buckshot and thereby become an effective deer-hunting gun.

Which is bigger 20 gauge or 12 gauge?

For the uninitiated, you might assume that 20 gauge is the bigger of the two, but it’s not. In a 20 gauge, it will take 20 balls of equal size and weight to equal one pound of shot. Because the individual pieces contained within a shotshell are bigger in a 12 gauge than in a 20 gauge, 12 is bigger than 20.

Are 8 gauge shotguns still made?

8-gauge shotgun. They are an obsolete gauge that has not been made in the U.S. since the late 19th century and are illegal today for hunting waterfowl. It’s also illegal to shoot waterfowl with lead shot. The 10-gauge shotgun is the largest one used in the U.S. today.

Is there anything bigger than a 10 gauge shotgun?

Shotguns are classified by gauge, which is a measure related to the diameter of the smooth shotgun bore and the size of the shotshell designed for that bore. Common shotgun gauges are 10-gauge, 12-gauge, 16-gauge, 20-gauge, and 28-gauge. The smaller the gauge number, the larger the shotgun bore.

Why are 8 gauge shotguns illegal?

As shotguns and shells became more efficient in the beginning of the 20th century, the 12 gauge shotgun became more effective for hunting and the large, clumsy 8 gauge became obsolete. It was banned for waterfowl hunting in 1938 by the Federal Firearms Act.