Who also shoots smaller gauges?

[dgr416]

I can shoot my sxs 20 ga shotguns better than all others i tried .I hope to get a sxs 28 ga soon .I forget to pump on flying birds .I did try 10 ga a while but 12 pound shotguns with 36 imch barrels are awkward .I started getting into 28 ga less weight to tote .My 12 ga shotguns dont leave the closet any more I nesd to get rid of them.

 

[Sika98k]

I’ve been hooked on my Bonehill 16 bore for over 20 years now. At 6lbs and with perfect balance it suits me for game shooting. The Prince of Wales grip suits me better than a straight hand stock.

 

[farmer_john]

The most abusive shotgun I've ever shot (and just one round because of it), was a Rossi Partner youth 20ga. It was painful. I started my Grandson with my Grandpa's cut down (shortened stock) Model 11 20ga with light loads & he handled that well, despite being rather small in stature. The added weight of the Model 11 coupled with the semi action, pretty much negates any recoil. My Granddaughter used a TriStar 20ga simply because she couldn't manage the weight of the Model 11; amazing what a 1.5 pound difference makes.
Virtually all of my bird hunting is done with a 20ga or 28ga Beretta 686 these days. Big ducks and geese still find a 12ga pointed at them most of the time. Just returned home from a 3 week jaunt to North Carolina to hunt deer & ducks with one of my nephews. Only reason I used a 12ga for these wood ducks is I had no 20ga non-toxic shells with me.
The 7 rounds of sporting clays I shot at the Nashville Gun Club with my oldest brother on that same trip saw all 3 gauges used, just because they came with me. Most of the rounds were shot with the 28ga Beretta 686 though. Btw, the MEC course there is humbling, lol.
@rookhawk is spot on with coupling light loads in a properly fitted shotgun to start, and keep, new shooters into wing shooting. The tradeoff of quality for affordability is where some of us make concessions. It's easier (mentally) to cut the stock on a $600 gun than a $2000 one. Reliability is still mandated.
Woodies are one of the prettiest ducks. Got lucky as the second flew into the pattern shooting the lead drake....
View attachment 729304

That's a Fausti Elegante Ducks Unlimited 12ga. I'm a fan of the Fausti made shotguns. Fit and finish far exceed what is normally found at their price level. Have several 12s, need to find one in 20, 28 and 410 now.

I also second the beretta 686 series of guns. I have a composed pair of silver pigeon 2s and love them. There a 12 ga but a 20 would be the gauge id go with just for shotshell availability but a 28 would ve a classic upland game gauge and very refined shooting with the smaller frames.

 

[jruby]

I have a 20 guage victor sarasqueta sterlingworth imported by Stoeger. It is a sidelock with a greener cross bolt. It is a beautiful little SxS. I dont think I could find a better well balanced gun. Significantly smaller than my other 12 guage side by side .

 

[8 x 60]

I greatly enjoy a .410 now and again and have had of one sort or another for over 50 years.
Light to carry and very effective so long as you appreciate its limitations. (Also as others have mentioned the 16 bore is great and much underrated )