Every day at True Shot Ammo, we watch customers stare at the shotgun wall wrestling with the same question:
“Should I go with 12 gauge because it’s the king, or 20 gauge because it kicks less?”
After shipping millions of rounds of Federal, Winchester, Fiocchi, Rio, and more, here’s the truth most people won’t say out loud:
Neither gauge is universally “better.”
They simply excel at different jobs.
If you understand what each gauge does best — using real data instead of internet myths — the right choice becomes obvious.
12 Gauge vs 20 Gauge: Real Numbers That Actually Matter
Below is the head-to-head comparison shooters care about: recoil, payload, gun weight, price, and overall usefulness.
| Factor | 12 Gauge | 20 Gauge |
|---|---|---|
| Recoil (8 lb shotgun, 1 1/8 oz @ 1200 fps) | ~54 ft-lbs | ~32 ft-lbs |
| Birdshot Payload | 1 oz – 1.5 oz | 7/8 oz – 1 1/4 oz |
| Buckshot Payload | 8–12 pellets 00 buck | 20 pellets #3 buck |
| Shell Options | 2¾", 3", 3½" | 2¾", 3" |
| Comfortable Gun Weight | 7–9 lbs | 5.5–7 lbs |
| Price Per Round (target loads) | ~$0.28–$0.40 | ~$0.32–$0.45 |
| Availability | Extremely common | Widely available but fewer specialty loads |
When 12 Gauge Is the Clear Winner
Choose a 12 gauge when you need maximum versatility, payload, and pattern performance.
Waterfowl Hunting
Steel and tungsten loads reach their full potential only in 12 gauge.
3" and 3½" shells outperform anything available in 20 gauge.
Turkey Hunting
The heaviest TSS and Hevi-Shot loads are optimized for 12 gauge, delivering tight, powerful patterns with high pellet counts.
Home Defense With Premium Loads
If you want:
- 00 buck
- Federal FliteControl
- The highest pellet count and tightest patterns
…the 12 gauge is the better tool.
Competition: 3-Gun and Practical Shotgun
Low-recoil 12-gauge target loads are fast, manageable, and widely available.
While a 20 gauge works, ammo availability is more limited.
Existing Gun Collection
If your safe is already filled with 12-gauge shotguns, the choice is simple.
Recommended 12-Gauge Loads
- Federal Top Gun 8 shot target loads
- Winchester Super-X 00 or #1 buckshot
- Fiocchi Low Recoil 00 Buck
When 20 Gauge Is the Smarter Choice
A 20 gauge shines in situations where comfort, control, and mobility matter more than maximum payload.
New Shooters and Recoil-Sensitive Shooters
Recoil is about 40 percent lighter than standard 12-gauge loads.
Less recoil means:
- Better fundamentals
- Less flinching
- Faster improvement
Upland Hunting
A lightweight 5.5–6.5 lb 20-gauge over/under or semi-auto is ideal for walking all day after quail, pheasant, or grouse.
Home Defense (Recoil Considerations)
Modern 20-gauge #3 buck is extremely effective inside home-defense distances, with manageable recoil for most shooters.
Smaller-Framed Shooters, Women, and Teens
A softer-shooting gun reduces fatigue and helps build confidence.
Recommended 20-Gauge Loads
- Federal Premium #3 Buck
- Winchester Super Speed 7.5 or 8 shot
- Fiocchi Golden Pheasant nickel-plated loads
The Recoil Myth Most Shooters Don’t Know
Two facts surprise many new shooters:
A low-recoil 12-gauge load can feel similar to a standard 20-gauge field load.
For example:
- A 12-gauge 1 oz load at 1150 fps is very close in recoil to
- A 20-gauge 7/8 oz load at similar velocity
With a good recoil pad, the difference shrinks even more.
A 3" magnum 20-gauge turkey load can kick harder than many 12-gauge 2¾" target loads.
Gauge alone doesn’t determine recoil.
Payload and velocity do.
The Verdict From the True Shot Ammo Counter
Based on thousands of customer conversations and real-world use:
First shotgun or shared family gun: Choose 20 gauge.
It’s easier to control, easier to shoot, and easier to love.
Waterfowl, turkey, or competition: Choose 12 gauge.
The ammo options and payload matter.
Home defense: Both are effective.
Choose the gauge you can practice with confidently.
If you own both: You’ve made the smart choice.
Each gauge serves a purpose, and you have all bases covered.
Stock Up on 12-Gauge or 20-Gauge Ammo at True Shot
No matter which gauge fits your shoulder and your needs, True Shot Ammo has bulk 12-gauge and 20-gauge target loads, buckshot, and slugs in stock every day.
Fast shipping.
Real inventory.
No backorders.
Shop with confidence and choose the gauge that fits your mission.
