Heresy!!!

[centershot]

I, of ALL people, NEVER thought I would say this; but, I actually prefer using my 20 ga. pump shotgun for deer hunting. There, I said it. Last year was the first year we were able to use rifles in this area, something I had waited for for years! After hunting last year and the first week of season this year with all sorts of different rifles, I have to admit that I actually prefer my short, compact, lightweight 20 ga. 870 youth model shotgun. I guess maybe it's part muscle memory, having used a pumpgun since I was 16, and partly because it fits me so well, it leaps to my shoulder and punches big holes in important places.........(sigh)............I'm a heretic!

[Canuck Bob]

Interesting! I'm close to buying a 20 gauge BPS Upland Special for my shotgun. Still. hard to see me picking it over a lever for deer.

The truth is I used and carried a 444 for decades. There is something comfortable and effective about carrying a gun a guy has carried for years.

[earlmck]

I guess maybe it's part muscle memory, having used a pumpgun since I was 16

Remington has also made pump rifles for over a century. Some folks still use such things, for the same reason you like your shotgun. And you can shoot accurately quite a lot further than you can do with the shotgun. Check 'em out if you think a little extra range would be nice.

[Hobie]

I, of ALL people, NEVER thought I would say this; but, I actually prefer using my 20 ga. pump shotgun for deer hunting. There, I said it. Last year was the first year we were able to use rifles in this area, something I had waited for for years! After hunting last year and the first week of season this year with all sorts of different rifles, I have to admit that I actually prefer my short, compact, lightweight 20 ga. 870 youth model shotgun. I guess maybe it's part muscle memory, having used a pumpgun since I was 16, and partly because it fits me so well, it leaps to my shoulder and punches big holes in important places.........(sigh)............I'm a heretic!

I keep recommending that specific shotgun to people who want a hunting and home defense gun. Add a rifled slug barrel and you'd be good to go for everything around here.

[Old Savage]

That is the one I recommended to Indianagirl, she loves it.

[230therapy]

Use what you like that brings home the bacon! If the shotgun gets the deer every time, then use it. I see no point in switching just to change. However, if you need an excuse to buy a new gun, then that change in the law is a great justification (right after "I want a new rifle").

[Nath]

I have never ever handled an 870 and it not handle or fit!

I love my little 20g and really really hope I never bump into a 12g wingmaster

N.

[Rusty]

A few years ago I was hunting a hardwood swamp near our house. I was using a newly acquired H&R 20 ga. As I was sitting on a stump I began thinking about my choice of arm.
The mountain men in the 1830's and 40's carried .62 cal trade guns. About 20 ga. They killed Injuns, grizzly, deer, n' buffler with round balls. They used swan shot for birds. I had just what they only I could swap back and forth from buck to ball to birdshot at the flick of the wrist. I felt pretty satisfied with my selection, but an 870 might be a bit more glamorous.

[centershot]

There really is a lot to like in that little shotgun, guess I'll keep her......have to stock up on slugs soon! I had handled one of the Remington 7600 rifles last week, nice gun but about 1 1/4 lbs more weight than the 870. Don't really need the extra range of the rifle, long shots around here are 75-100 yards, I can handle that with the 20 ga.! I'll get more slugs tomorrow! Safe hunting and Happy Holidays y'all!

[44-40 Willy]

I hunted everything with a 16 gauge Browning A-5 for years. Still had my rifles, just used that shotgun when meat on on the line.

[piller]

So your lever slides along under the barrel. What is the problem?

[Old Ironsights]

With the new "super sabots" a 20ga with a rifled tube is a heck of a good deer rifle... especially a LW/youth gun.

Still, in tight woods, I like my .357 Rossi, but I wouldn't complain about a properly set-up 20...