Thinking about switching to a 20ga

[Biden Smokes Mid]

Hey yall, im considering buying a Franchi Affinity 3 Turkey 20 gauge, and was wondering if the weight difference would be noticeable versus my 12 gauge. Im currently using a Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag. Google shows that the 835 weighs 7.5 lbs., plus I have a scope on it that adds some weight. The Franchi shows a weight of 6.7 lbs., and I'd likely just throw a red dot on that. I assume the 20 gauge shells would be a small weight reduction over the 12 gauge shells, but I'm just having a hard time believing that 1-1.5 lbs. would be a very noticeable difference. What's yalls experience?

 

[Boll Weevil]

One upside of a 20ga vs 835 is you get to keep all your teeth and fillings intact after pulling the trigger.

 

[TN Larry]

I can't speak for the guns above in terms of weight, but I went from a 26" barrel 870 12 gauge shooting 3.5" lead to a 21" barrel 870 20 gauge shooting 3" TSS, and the weight and packability is unreal. I guess it depends on the terrain that you are hunting in as well, but the 20 ga is much easier to carry around in a hill and hollow, run and gun approach. It also has a lot less recoil without giving up anything on the pattern when shooting #9 TSS shot.

If you are just going to park and walk somewhere across a field to sit in a blind, then the weight difference is probably not noticeable. However, if you are covering ground especially in hills and hollows, it makes a big difference. The shorter barrel from 26" to 21" made a huge difference for me as well as it doesn't get caught on as many limbs and small saplings while moving on a bird.

There are several threads on here now discussing the 20 vs 12. I have shot a 20ga since 2017 with no plans of every going back to a 12ga. Some say it is a fad which is probably so for some, but the points above is what makes it for me.

 

[Don'tDrinkTinks]

I went to a .410 and am just as confident in it as I was my 12 ga.

 

[Carlos]

Here I am, considering a 10ga.

 

[Remington700]

I went from a Super Black Eagle 12 to a Franchi a few years ago. Best decision I ever made. Much lighter and just as deadly.

 

[deerhunter10]

I switched from an a5 to a benelli montefeltro 20. Weight not that noticeable. But I just wanted an excuse to buy another gun. From my old 835 to my 20 gauge is a noticeable difference and as said above it's way more pleasant to shoot. I sold 835 after a bloody nose. Screw those guns.

 

[Biden Smokes Mid]

Y'all have given me an excuse to buy one before next season. Preciate it fellas!

 

[Don'tDrinkTinks]

Y'all have given me an excuse to buy one before next season. Preciate it fellas!

Man my .410 puts 25-30 pellets in the kill zone at 40 yards

 

[Biden Smokes Mid]

Man my .410 puts 25-30 pellets in the kill zone at 40 yards

I'm sure I'll eventually pick one of those up as well "for my girlfriend"

 

[Southern Sportsman]

I can't speak for the guns above in terms of weight, but I went from a 26" barrel 870 12 gauge shooting 3.5" lead to a 21" barrel 870 20 gauge shooting 3" TSS, and the weight and packability is unreal. I guess it depends on the terrain that you are hunting in as well, but the 20 ga is much easier to carry around in a hill and hollow, run and gun approach. It also has a lot less recoil without giving up anything on the pattern when shooting #9 TSS shot.

If you are just going to park and walk somewhere across a field to sit in a blind, then the weight difference is probably not noticeable. However, if you are covering ground especially in hills and hollows, it makes a big difference. The shorter barrel from 26" to 21" made a huge difference for me as well as it doesn't get caught on as many limbs and small saplings while moving on a bird.

There are several threads on here now discussing the 20 vs 12. I have shot a 20ga since 2017 with no plans of every going back to a 12ga. Some say it is a fad which is probably so for some, but the points above is what makes it for me.

^^What he said.

 

[TNhunter]

Hey yall, im considering buying a Franchi Affinity 3 Turkey 20 gauge, and was wondering if the weight difference would be noticeable versus my 12 gauge. Im currently using a Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag. Google shows that the 835 weighs 7.5 lbs., plus I have a scope on it that adds some weight. The Franchi shows a weight of 6.7 lbs., and I'd likely just throw a red dot on that. I assume the 20 gauge shells would be a small weight reduction over the 12 gauge shells, but I'm just having a hard time believing that 1-1.5 lbs. would be a very noticeable difference. What's yalls experience?

Do it as fast as you can.