The Shotgun Gauges

There are far fewer shotgun gauges, and they are easier to understand than rifle calibers. But, gauge is a very old, and seemingly backwards measurement. The smaller number represents the bigger gun.

It roughly takes 10 lead balls the diameter 10 gauge's barrel to weigh a pound, 12 for a 12 gauge, 20 for a 20 gauge, 28 for the 28 gauge, and the little .410 is a bore measurement; not a gauge.

Shotguns are versatile guns, advancements in the guns, and especially in shotgun shells have made them even more versatile. Most modern 12s, 20s, and .410s can use 3 inch shells, slug loads, and more.

The 12 and 20 shotgun gauges sell best. The most popular 12 gauge can be used to hunt almost anything when the right shells, chokes, sights... are used.

Add a slug barrel with sights or scope to a pump or auto and you could possibly use one gun to hunt everything. When you add a rifled barrel to a shotgun it becomes a rifle. Not with the range and accuracy of a good rifle, but you could make it work.

The 20 gauge is as versatile as the 12, but has a little less range. The .410 is very effective in my opinion, but only at short range. The .410 slug load has killed deer, but it is best limited to pest, or small game.

If memory serves me correctly I have owned: 2-12 gauges, 5-20s, 1-28, and 8-.410s. I have shot many more than I have owned, but you can get some idea of my favorites from what I've owned.

Pictured left are 12, 20, .410 shot and slug loads.

Visit my page on shotgun slugs for more on using a shotgun for deer.

In my opinion the 12 gauge's advantage is for longer range ducks, geese, and turkey. As shot size goes up (gets bigger) the shot count (what a shell can hold) naturally goes down, and the pattern looses density quickly.

The larger 12 gauge shotgun shells can hold more shot, and thus they can handle the larger shot sizes better. A 3 or 3.5 inch 12 gauge load can hold almost as much shot as the 10 gauge. Either can hold enough of the larger size shot to ensure the multiple hits needed for longer range.

The midsized 20 gauge shotgun may offer the best balance of attributes for most shotgunning. A properly built 20 on a 20 gauge size frame is slimmer, trimmer, lighter, and has less recoil than a similar 12 gauge. It simply can't reach out quite as far as the bigger 12 gauge.

The 12 gauge could be the most popular simply because many Americans will buy something bigger when it is offered for the same amount of money. "Bigger is better."

Some say the 16 gauge offers the best of the 12 and the 20.
In my youth I shot a 16 double and a Sweet 16 for a few seasons (borrowed them). I see the 16 as a skinny 12, or a fat 20, with no significant advantage over the current 3 inch 20 gauge loadings.

You could also say the 28 occupies a space much like the 16 as a skinny 20 or a fat .410, but a proper 28's not fat. Some fans of the 28 seem to believe it's almost magical and say it's greatly superior to the .410.

My opinion is that both small shotgun gauges are great for fast short range birds. The 28 makes prettier patterns, and it does offer a couple of yards more range. When both are used properly with small shot and open chokes; I doubt that the birds know the difference.

When these guns 28 or .410 are built on proper size frames, they are a delight. But, many small gauge guns are made on larger 20 gauge frames. That effectively makes them handle like a 20 gauge with less range :-(

The .410 could be the most misunderstood of all guns, and certainly all shotguns. Visit my page on .410 Shotguns for more about them.

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