Which is more lethal, 12-gauge or 20 gauge?

A 12-gauge shotgun is generally more lethal than a 20-gauge due to its larger bore, allowing for more powder and heavier projectiles (slugs or pellets), resulting in greater energy and stopping power, making it better for larger game and longer distances. However, a 20-gauge is still extremely effective and considered lethal, especially for self-defense and smaller game, offering significantly less recoil, which can lead to better accuracy and faster follow-up shots for many users, notes this article from Pew Pew Tactical and Fusion Firearms.
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Is 20ga better than 12ga for home defense?

The 12 gauge offers more power and penetration, while the 20 gauge is lighter and easier to handle. The right choice will depend on your specific needs and circumstances. Remember, the key to effective home defense is not just the weapon you choose, but how well you can use it.
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What shotgun do Navy SEALs carry?

Navy SEALs primarily use the Benelli M4 Super 90 (M1014) semi-auto for its reliability and ARGO gas system, but also rely on rugged pump-action shotguns like the Mossberg 590 (specifically the 590A1) and the classic Remington 870, preferring pump guns for extreme durability and simplicity in harsh environments. They also have a history with specialized models like the Ithaca 37 and full-auto Remington 7188 from Vietnam.
 
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What kicks harder, a 12 gauge or 20 gauge?

Yes, a 12-gauge generally kicks harder than a 20-gauge because it fires a larger, heavier payload (more shot), creating more recoil, but a lightweight 20-gauge with heavy loads can sometimes feel like it kicks as hard or even harder than a heavier 12-gauge due to less gun weight to absorb the energy. The actual kick depends on factors like shell type, gun weight, and fit, but typically the 12-gauge has a stronger push. 
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Is a 20 gauge shotgun lethal?

It is absolutely lethal but has far less penetration through drywall than #00 buckshot. The standard buckshot load for the 20 gauge is #3 buckshot. This would also be an outstanding home defense weapon. I would not hesitate to use a 20 gauge shotgun for home defense loaded with 20 pellets of #3 buckshot.
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12ga versus 20ga Shotgun - How Do You Choose? | Gun Talk

What is the advantage of a 20 gauge shotgun?

A 20-gauge shotgun's benefits include lighter weight, less recoil, and easier maneuverability, making it ideal for beginners, youth, smaller-framed shooters, and upland bird hunting, while still offering sufficient power for home defense and larger game (like deer/bear with slugs) for versatile use. Its reduced kick helps build confidence and allows for better focus on shooting technique, making it great for extended practice.
 
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Will a 20-gauge slug stop a bear?

Can you use a 20 gauge for black bear? Yes, with the right slugs and within close ranges, a 20 gauge can be effective. Some 20 gauge slugs are made from soft lead, which can expand upon impact and provide effective stopping power at close ranges. Proper shot placement is even more important due to the lower energy.
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Which is more lethal, buckshot or slugs?

Both slugs and buckshot are highly lethal, but their lethality manifests differently: slugs deliver massive, focused energy for deep penetration and longer ranges (great for barriers/big game), while buckshot spreads multiple pellets, increasing hit probability and causing massive tissue damage at close range (better for home defense), making them both devastating but suited for different scenarios, often described as "lethal" for their specific purposes.
 
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What's the effective range of a 20-gauge?

The effective range of a 20-gauge typically falls between 30 and 50 yards for most shooting scenarios. This is influenced by several factors including ammunition type, choke selection, and environmental conditions.
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What is the 3 foot rule Navy SEALs?

The Navy SEAL 3-foot rule, or "three-foot world," is a mindset of focusing only on what's immediately within your control (your actions, attitude, effort) and ignoring external distractions, noise, and uncontrollable outcomes, a concept popularized by SEAL Mark Owen in No Hero, helping overcome overwhelm by breaking big challenges into small, manageable steps. It's about staying present and effective by owning your immediate space, whether on a rock wall or in business.
 
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What gun did Chris Kyle use?

Chris Kyle used several sniper rifles, most famously the McMillan TAC-338 chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum for long-range engagements, but also the Mk 11 Special Purpose Rifle (SR-25) in 7.62 NATO and the M24 (Remington 700) in .300 Winchester Magnum for different situations, plus a Mk 12 DMR for patrol.
 
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Which is the best shotgun in the world?

There's no single "best" shotgun; it depends on use (hunting, tactical, sport), but top contenders for reliability and performance include the Benelli M4 (tactical/military), the magazine-fed Genesis Gen-12 (fast, low recoil), the versatile Browning Citori 825 (sporting), and the robust Mossberg 590 (defense). High-end bespoke shotguns from makers like Krieghoff or William & Son are considered the pinnacle for luxury, while the Beretta 1301 excels in modern semi-auto performance for defense. 
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What is the best shotgun to get for home defense?

The best home defense shotgun often comes down to reliable pump-actions like the Mossberg 500/590 series (especially the 590A1 for durability) or the classic Remington 870, offering simplicity and power, while top semi-autos like the Beretta 1301 Tactical and Benelli M4 provide faster follow-up shots, with the Maverick 88 being a great budget pump option; key features are short barrels for maneuverability and reliable performance in tight spaces.
 
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Is 20ga cheaper than 12ga?

No, the 12 gauge is usually cheaper than the 20 gauge because it's more common, produced in higher volumes, and uses more material, leading to lower per-shell costs, although the price difference is often just a few cents to a dollar, and special loads can change things. While 20 gauge ammo is getting easier to find, 12 gauge remains the standard for versatility and economy, especially for high-volume shooting like clay games.
 
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What can you hunt with a 20ga shotgun?

You can hunt a wide variety of game with a 20-gauge shotgun, excelling at upland birds (dove, quail, grouse, pheasant) and small game (squirrels, rabbits) with shot, while slugs make it effective for deer, hogs, and even black bear at reasonable distances, offering a lighter, lower-recoil option than a 12-gauge, notes Quora, Backwoods Home Magazine, American Hunter, and Mossy Oak, Dive Bomb Industries.
 
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Why is buckshot banned?

Buckshot pellets have a shorter effective range and are more likely to wound rather than cleanly kill a deer, leading to ethical concerns and potential loss of game. California's regulations emphasize ethical hunting practices, ensuring that animals are taken as humanely as possible.
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What gun do most deer hunters use?

The most common deer hunting guns are bolt-action rifles in popular calibers like the .30-06 Springfield, .308 Winchester, and 6.5 Creedmoor, favored for accuracy and versatility, alongside classic lever-action rifles (like the Winchester 94) in the iconic .30-30 cartridge, especially for wooded areas and tradition. While the rifle action varies (bolt, lever, pump), .30 caliber remains king, with modern hunters also embracing AR-platform rifles for fast follow-ups.
 
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How far away is buckshot lethal?

Buckshot remains lethal at significant distances, but its effective range for reliable, humane kills is generally within 40-50 yards, though modern loads with flight control can extend this, with tests showing hits and lethality possible up to 80-100 yards, but accuracy and pellet density drop significantly, making shots beyond 50 yards less ethical for hunting. While individual pellets lose energy, they still carry lethal force, especially if they hit vital areas, but beyond 50 yards, the pattern spreads too much, reducing the chance of multiple hits. 
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What do Alaskans carry for bear defense?

300-Magnum rifle or a 12-gauge shotgun with rifled slugs are appropriate weapons if you have to shoot a bear.
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Are dragon's breath shotgun shells legal?

Dragon's Breath rounds (incendiary ammo) are legal to possess in some U.S. states but illegal to use or purchase in many others, like California, Florida, New York, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Iowa, and D.C., due to extreme fire hazards, with legality depending heavily on federal, state, and local laws, requiring specific checks for your location.
 
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Should I buy a 20 or 12 gauge shotgun?

Each caters to hunting a specific type of game. The 20-gauge shotgun is well-suited for upland bird hunting (like doves) and turkey at close distances because it's lighter and has reduced recoil. Hunters prefer a 12-gauge shotgun for hunting larger game like deer.
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Does a 410 kick harder than a 20-gauge?

The .410 bore has significantly less recoil than a 20 gauge, often feeling like a gentle "pop" compared to the 20 gauge's noticeable but manageable "kick," making the .410 great for kids and new shooters while the 20 gauge offers more versatility with moderate recoil (around 16 ft-lbs vs. 7-10 ft-lbs for .410). Recoil differences stem from lighter payloads and powder charges in the .410, but gun weight and ammunition choice also greatly affect felt recoil.
 
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How far can you shoot a deer with a 20-gauge shotgun?

Shotguns are a short-game gun. In fact, you can pretty much count on 75-150 yards being your maximum range depending on whether you're shooting a smooth-bore or rifled barrel shotgun.
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