I have always used a 12, for EVERYTHING. However, my dad bought me a 20 gauge Benelli M2 field. It is a SWEET gun - smooth, fast, etc. I have been reading about a lot of people using a 20 for fowl. Thoughts? Any other 20gauge fowl hunters taht can offer choke and/or ammo reccommendations?

I am kind of ignorant when it comes to ammo performance, especially when it comes to a 20. I was thing 1 1/8 oz #5's to start out? Thoughts?

I use a 20ga and shoot #4's. Hit them in the face and you should be alright.

Been using a Winchester model 1300 20 ga with Mod. Choke for the last 2 years to do all my duck hunting, (finally upgrading this year :)) the 3 inch 1 and 2 shot loads have always worked well for me.

Have a 20ga Montefeltro that sees usage on ducks sometimes, usually have the mod choke in it and #2 or #4 steel 3 inchers.

I hunted just about all season with my 20ga M2, 3 inch #4 Hevi Metal

thanks guys!

My 13 year old daughter shoots a 20Gauge 870 and has no problems and even managed to pick up a goose last year..

Kent 3" #4 seem to be deadly for her!

Shoot em in the face X2

I saw an article on here once that showed that 20 gauge loads are sometimes better than 12's

Pattern, pattern, pattern!

let the gun tell you what choke, load combo it likes. I have a Benelli M1 20ga that I hunt a lot with. It loved a Briley Light Mod choke with the Winchester DryLok 1oz 3's. It also likes the Kent Faststeel 3's. I've never found a load in 2's it liked, and I liked 3 shot better than the 4's.

I ran across a deal on some Rem Wingmaster HD in 2 3/4" 1oz 6's a while back. It flat out HAMMERS ducks. The only thing I don't like is how much slower it is than my 12ga duck loads. So it takes a little adjusting on lead to get back on target with the Hevi shot if I'm switching between guns.

Only advantage and reason I use my 12ga is a lot of times we have geese and ducks using the same field water, and I need to be able to switch between loads sometimes. otherwise I prefer my 20ga over the 12ga......lighter and kicks less!

Last hunt of the year this past season with the 20's:

There was just a thread that said patterning your shot gun was a waste of time!

Patterning a 12 guage is a waste of time, patterning a 20 guage is well worth it.

Jepsen did you ever buy a new gun?

I use my 20 sometimes but it is a wood stock field grade and just dont like scratching it up. I do love shooting it though

Wow...that's a pretty sweet gift! I'd love a benelli 20. I'd try out that load set up in teal season. Hell 1 1/8oz is about what I normally shoot in a 12...granted it's probably has a lot more FPS in a 12. So your range may be limited with the 20. Personally I have not looked at 20ga loads but I'd go with a lighter but faster load. 1oz is plenty. For big ducks I'd for sure drop down to #4s but for teal #5s would be great. I've never used them or really seen them other than online.

It will get the job done...just leaves less room for error

We have plenty of goose hunters that hunt with 20's.
Derek hunts/guides with his a lot actually.
Have fun with it.

my apologies. I forgot what forum I was on.

I pick mine up once or twice a season. When hunting on some of the more "gentlemans" duck hunts, usually on the King Ranch we only use .410 or 20ga. Anything else is looked down upon.

Successfully? What shells do they use?

3inch 2 or 4 shot would be fine im sure