About 20 Gauge
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to talk about 20 gauge today. This shotgun chambering has endured in common use for generations of shooters and is employed in many use cases. Our goal is to provide a brief overview of 20 gauge while delving into its traits, features, use cases, and more. Without further ado, let’s talk about 20 gauge.
What is 20 Gauge?
The 20 gauge is one of the most commonly employed shotgun chamberings on the market next to the 12 gauge. Like its larger counterpart, the 20 gauge gets its name from the amount of lead balls one could produce from a single pound of lead which matched the diameter of the firearm. As such, 20 lead balls equivalent in size to the bore diameter of a 20 gauge shotgun would weigh in at one pound. 20 gauge shotgun loadings generally feature a stout recoil impulse. The specific loading employed by a shooter will also have an impact on the report and felt recoil they experience. Recoil produced by 20 gauge loadings is generally tamer than the recoil yielded by larger 12 gauge loadings. Additionally. recoil is felt more on manual action firearms than it is when firing autoloading firearms. This is particularly true with shotguns as Beretta and Benelli have semi-automatic offerings designed to tame 20 gauge recoil and feed smoothly. The tamer nature of the 20 gauge allows for a wide range of shooters, especially those who are recoil sensitive, to employ an effective and versatile gauge. 20 gauge shotshells are notably distinct from other gauges. SAAMI, or the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturer’s Institute, has specifically reserved the color yellow for use with 20 gauge shotshells. As such, many loadings from around the globe feature high visibility yellow hulls. This is done to ensure 20 gauge shotshells can easily be identified, especially when mixed with similarly sized shells. Additionally, 20 gauge shotshells are noticeably narrower than their larger counterparts. Of course, one could look at the base of the shell or for denotations on the hull to determine what type of ammo or gauge a shotshell is. 
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Diverse Types of 20 Gauge Loadings
20 gauge ammo is available in various styles and forms, often tailored towards specific use cases. These loadings are commonly found in lengths such as 2.75” and 3” shotshell sizes. Naturally, the larger shells feature larger payloads and generally yield a more significant recoil impulse.
- Birdshot – Simply put, these loadings feature multiple small projectiles. These types of loadings are well-suited for bird hunting, pest control, casual clay shooting, and recreational shooting. These loadings tend to be some of the most common loadings one will find on the market.
- Buckshot – Buckshot loadings feature multiple large projectiles. These projectiles are considerably larger than the projectiles found in birdshot and target loadings. Buckshot loadings come in various styles and sizes which feature varying numbers and sizes of projectiles. These types of loadings are well-suited for hunting use and for self-defense.
- Slugs – These types of loadings feature single, solid projectiles rather than multiple projectiles. As these loadings feature solid projectiles, one does not have to consider a potential pattern or spread of multiple projectiles. Slugs are often found in the form of rifled and sabot loadings. Rifled slugs are intended for use in smoothbore barrels while sabot slugs are intended for use in rifled barrels. Ultimately, slugs allow a user to extend the effective range of their shotgun.
These loadings are just some of the basic types of 20 gauge ammo one will encounter. Some companies offer specialized loadings which combine types of shot, such as hybrid slug and buckshot offerings. Shooters can easily find loadings optimized for self-defense, hunting, and shooting sporting clays to name a few. From these offerings, shooters will find that more specific options exist regarding shot size, velocity, projectile material, weight, and more. Additionally, many lead-free 20 gauge ammo offerings are also produced, allowing end users to comply with restrictions on lead ammunition. At the end of the day, the wide range of 20 gauge ammunition makes the shotgun caliber incredibly versatile and well-suited for many use cases.
What is the Availability of Firearms Chambered in 20 Gauge?
At this point, there are a variety of firearms on the market which will accommodate 20 gauge ammo. These types for firearms can be found in both vintage, old production form and in the form of modern production offerings. Modern production offerings can be had from companies such as Mossberg, Remington, Beretta, Benelli, and Browning to name a few. These offerings are commonly found in pump action, double barrel, and semi-automatic form. Most shotguns of the pump action and semi-automatic variety utilize tubular magazines to facilitate feeding. In a departure from the norm, there are also a number of magazine-fed pump action and semi-automatic shotguns available for sale on the market. Modern production shotguns can be found in a variety of forms such as hunting, sporting, competition, and tactical and home defense configurations. The many 20 gauge shotgun offerings on the market allow and end user to select a shotgun which best fits their needs and preferences. All in all, one will be able to find a firearm chambered in 20 gauge if they truly want to.
How Available is 20 Gauge Ammunition?
At this point in time, one will have no issue finding 20 gauge ammunition. 20 gauge loadings can be found in most places where ammunition is sold. One will generally encounter birdshot, buckshot, slug, and target loadings on shelves and at online retailers. As far as more specialized loadings go, such as hunting and optimized defensive loadings, one may have to look a bit harder to find ammo of this type. Of course, one can browse a wide variety of offerings if they shop for and buy ammo online. Generally speaking, 20 gauge ammo is slightly less prevalent than 12 gauge ammo is. It is far from unobtainable or elusive, but 12 gauge ammunition is simply more common. That being said, 20 gauge ammo is well supported by companies across the globe. These manufacturers include Nobel Sport, Rio, Aguila, Winchester, and Sterling to name a few. All in all, one will find 20 gauge ammo if they are looking for some. 
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What Can You Use 20 Gauge For?
There are many uses for 20 gauge ammunition. As mentioned above, there are many purpose-built 20 gauge ammo options tailored to specific use cases. Many shooters employ 20 gauge ammo in target shooting and competition roles. Generally, birdshot and target loadings tend to be quite cheap when compared to other loadings, making them well-suited to plinking and general-purpose shooting. Everything from sporting clays to steel and cardboard targets are commonly shot by recreational shooters and competitors who utilize 20 gauge shotguns. The caliber is also commonly used by hunters, especially when after winged game such as waterfowl and dove. In addition to winged game, shotguns are also utilized for varmint hunting, predator hunting, and general hunting applications. The use of shotguns for general purpose hunting is common in some states and areas which do not allow rifle hunting. Beyond hunting, many have employed 20 gauge ammo in defensive roles, selecting the gauge for home defense. Buckshot and defensive loadings have demonstrated effective fight stopping capability, making 20 gauge viable for self-defense. All in all, 20 gauge ammunition is viable for a wide range of purposes and uses.
Conclusion
All in all, 20 gauge continues to persist in common use with shooters of all types. The various loadings and widespread support by companies across the globe aid in making 20 gauge prolific and well-used. We here at True Shot Ammo carry a wide variety of 20 gauge ammo in addition to our wide variety of ammunition for sale. Whether you are looking to buy 20 gauge ammunition or something else, we have got you covered. As always, happy shooting. Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options. View more posts about ammunition:
