12G versus 20G for Fox Hunting?

[mchughcb]

To keep things interesting I managed to shoot the whole season with the 20G. Affectionately known as the "popgun" to everyone else using a 12G and 42grams of BBs. I was mainly shooting the Clever Mirage 1oz #3 loads. These are not foxes coming into the whistle, they are normally running flat out and away from me. I don't like small sample sizes to start making generalizations about the effectiveness of the 20G.

Well after one full season the results are in.

Fox_Hunter.jpeg

[Olsen]

If you make a good shot, 20G is as good as 12G, but if you make a bad shot, they are both manure

I shot a lot of geese, fox and some reedier, with my 20G, no problem at all

[mchughcb]

Exactly right. And I had a bit of pre-season practice on the clays which helped. The 20G also causes me less fatigue when I'm carrying it for 6-8 hours. I have overcome my phobia of the 20G not being powerful enough and concentrated more on placement and pattern density and it seems to be working.

[SPEEDY]

I also like #3 shot for foxes, you get fuller patterns and IMO better hits, doesn't hit them as hard but dead is dead.