Handloads: 20 Gauge

posted on May 2, 2019
ll20ga.jpg

lightweight 20 gauge is a joy to carry on long slogs in search of pheasants. But an effective load must balance acceptable recoil with sufficient pattern density and pellet energy. That convergence comes from 1 oz. of No. 6 shot with a muzzle velocity of about 1200 f.p.s.

Heavier payloads significantly boost recoil—a 3" shell firing 1¼ ozs. of shot results in 40 percent more. Also, additional velocity barely increases pellet energy. A No. 6 pellet, at 1330 f.p.s., carries only 0.3 ft-lb. more energy than one fired at 1200 f.p.s. Shooting larger shot is the only way to significantly increase pellet energy. An ounce of shot larger than No. 6s, though, carries an insufficient number of pellets to make a dense pattern at 40 yds.

This recipe’s 1 oz. of No. 6s, fired from the modified choke of a Beretta Whitewing over-under 20 gauge, printed 72 percent of its pellets in a 30" circle at 40 yds. Effective pattern diameter was about 30", with a lot of pellets clustered in the center. An improved-cylinder choke somewhat spread those pellets to enlarge the usable pattern diameter by a few inches.

Latest

John Parker flowing piece flintlock muzzleloader right-side view on white background
John Parker flowing piece flintlock muzzleloader right-side view on white background

Captain John Parker's Fowler: Witness To History

While thousands of firearms were used in and around the Massachusetts towns of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, few survive today. One survivor is the flintlock fowler used by Capt. John Parker of the Lexington militia.

New For 2025: Mossberg 590M Standoff & 500 Slugster Pump Shotguns

The Mossberg 500 is one of the most popular pump-action shotguns ever made. That doesn’t keep the company from making updates and improvements, as evidenced in the new-for-2025 590M Standoff and 500 Slugster series.

Preview: Warthog Sharpeners V-Sharp Elite A4

Warthog USA’s V-Sharp Elite A4 pairs the company’s most feature-packed portable blade-sharpening unit with a detachable wooden base for added stability.

The Men & Guns Of Lexington Green

On April 19, 1775, 250 years ago, approximately 80 armed militiamen from Lexington gathered on their village green to confront several hundred British infantrymen. The events of that morning began a conflict that would ultimately establish the United States of America.

"Battle Road" & The British Retreat To Boston: 250 Years Later

After the fights at Lexington and Concord's North Bridge, the British column had to return to Boston. On its way, the regulars were set upon by hundreds, then thousands, of armed militiamen hell bent on revenge.

Preview: Hawke Airmax 2-7X 32 mm AO

Shooters looking to add optics to their air rifles should choose airgun-specific scopes such as those in Hawke’s Airmax line—which offers four models.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.