Killing Range for 12 vs 20 gauge???

[Big joe]

I've shot many a jack rabbit with my 12 ga. Mostly in 6-8 shot loads. I have yet to realy tell how far away I can humanely take a shot at one in the Utah sage brush. Also I have recently bought a 20 ga for my son so I have the same question for his 20 ga.

So can you tell me the effective killing range for jack rabbit sized animals with these two guns???


Thanks for your input!!!

[L. Cooper]

A number 4 shot from a 20 guage has exactly the same killing power as a number 4 shot from a 12 guage or even a 10 guage. The only real difference between various guages is the number of pellets in each shell, and therefore, the density of the pattern at any given range. So a 10 guage appears to have a longer killing range because its patterns have enough pellets to remain dense enough at longer ranges to produce kills on game.

If the pellets from a load are so spread out that hitting becomes difficult, then that is the "killing range" for that load. In truth, there is only one way to know the maximum effective range of any gun/shell combination, and that is to pattern it.

[fabsroman]

Exactly what L. Cooper said. I have surprised my dad and brothers with my use of a 20 gauge on doves. They are always surprised with how far I can kill doves with a 20 gauge.

The effectiveness of the larger gauges is because of the increased bore diameter which allows more pellets on target at a longer range. If you can shoot tighter chokes with smaller gauges, the lethality will be the same. However, the margin for error will be much smaller. Of course, trying to choke a .410 for the same pattern density as a 10 gauge eventually becomes impossible.

[Nulle]

I used a 20ga on the last pheasant hunt and found you really had to be on them but range was not a problem.

[fabsroman]

Yep, the smaller gauges don't allow for much leeway. You have to be on or that bird is going to keep on flying.

[Dom]

A good rule of thumb with game shot, here I'd say #5s, is 35 meters, or max 40 yards, agree it does not depend on guage, you just get more shot in a 12 ga shell. Beyond that will wound more than kill. Of course, you can get 'lucky' with the golden bb, but patterns are too dispersed.

But, you know with these modern slug guns, should be able to extend your range on Jacks out to 100 meters!! jk, Waidmannsheil, Dom.

[Lilred]

Lilred witnessed this here lil story....bunch of us was sittin at a cattle grate in a field eatin lunch after huntin all mornin...and a small buck walks out into the field wayyyyy down in the corner and stands there. Freind of mine spots him and says "watch this"

He dropped that buck in his tracks no less at 120 yards with a remington 20 ga auto w/ a slug in it. That is a true story. I even lost money on that shot that day
I still shoot skeet with that same feller. He still uses that exact same gun...and he aint nuthin but the truth with it.