3 Things You Need To Know About 20 Gauge Shotguns
Most firearm enthusiasts own at least one shotgun. These specific firearms are great for hunting small game and birds since they are powerful enough to make the kill, yet still preserve most of the meat on a small animal for eating.
While 12 gauge shotguns are the most common, more and more gun lovers are starting to see the value in owning a 20 gauge shotgun as well.
1. A 20 gauge has less recoil.
If you have ever had the opportunity to shoot a shotgun, you know that the amount of recoil produced by the weapon can have an effect on your accuracy. Recoil is directly related to the expansion of gas within the gun's barrel as the ammunition is discharged.
Since a 12 gauge has a larger barrel than the 20 gauge, more gas is produced in the 12 gauge. This results in more recoil. Younger shooters or those who want to minimize recoil injuries can find shooting the smaller 20 gauge shotgun more enjoyable.
2. A 20 gauge makes a great home-defense weapon.
A lot of people invest in firearms for the sole purpose of defending their homes against intruders. If home-defense if your primary goal, then a 20 gauge shotgun can be a great option. These guns are powerful enough to deliver shocking blows, but they don't have the wide ammunition spread that a 12 gauge shotgun does.
A smaller spread means there is less potential for you to damage your home in the event you have to shoot an intruder threatening the safety of your family. A 20 gauge shotgun is also small and lightweight, making it easy to wield in close quarters.
3. 20 gauge ammunition is always yellow.
Selecting the right ammunition for your shotgun is critical to your safety. Loading a 12 gauge shell into a 20 gauge gun could have disastrous consequences. To avoid potential ammunition mistakes caused by lack of attention or carelessness, federal mandate requires that all 20 gauge shotgun shells are jacketed in yellow.
The jacket color on a 12 gauge shell can vary based on the load within the round. All 20 gauge shells will be the same color of yellow, regardless of the enclosed load. This makes 20 gauge shells easy to spot when you need to load your shotgun in a hurry.
A 20 gauge shotgun can serve a variety of purposes in modern households. Consider investing in one of these versatile weapons to add to your firearm collection. Contact a company that specializes in firearms sales for more help.