If you want a really light gun, the only quasi-affordable 12ga to fill that bill is the Benelli Ultralight, otherwise, there are a bunch of 20ga's to choose from. For a 20ga #6, you'll want to be using 3" #6 11/4oz shot to maximize your long range shot density. The only advantage of the 12ga is the option to up that to any load available in 3". A 3" 11/4oz load out of a 20ga is the same delivery as a 12ga 11/4oz 2 3/4", minus the weight of the shotgun. It also uses less powder if you reload, and is nicer on the ears and arms. Every pheasant I took this season was with handloaded hevishot out of a Benelli 20ga, with two birds taken crossing at 60 yards. If you're going to traipse the hills for chukar, get the 3" 20ga and don't look back.

 

I used a 20 o/u for years upland hunting shooting 3" #6's is a fine choice. I use a 12 guage autoloader now and the shells are a little more powerful and with the extra shot i do kill many more birds in a season. only a few triples but i'll often miss the first or second and connect on the others. The autoloader is actually lighter than the 20 O/U because of its single barrell and it has a synthetic stock. but the difference in weight is not much. Either is a fine choice, and if i was to choose a gun for only upland in an o/u it would most likely be a 20.:twocents: i hate the feeling of emptying my gun and standing there while a sleeper jumps up at my feet.alm:

 

I use the 20 ga. Benelli ultralight and a 26" bbl Browning BSS with a straight grip for Chukar, quail and everything but waterfowl....they're perfect. There's no reason for more gun weight in the uplands and after a day on the steep talus slopes you'll feel the difference.

 

The gun I'm looking at is a Weatherby SA-08. It's 6 lbs in 20 gauge, synthetic stock version.
If I had the cash, it would be a Benelli ultra light at 5.2 lbs for the 20 gauge....too rich for my blood.

 

The old Franchi M48 20gauge is still a great chukar gun as well.

 

See if you can get your hands on a used Benelli M1 20. 5.8lbs Shouldn't be more than $650. I've had one and only sold it to move up to the M2 20 in camo for pheasant/duck hunting. I rarely use my 12's anymore except for spooky wild pheasant and geese.

 

I have a Browning Gold 20 and it's by far my favorite shotgun to shoot. From Honkers to late season roosters & huns if it's a legal bird I have hunted it w/ that 20.

Cheers,

Adam

 

I just got a cheap H&R .20g single shot for pheasants and such should be a light easy gun to carry.

 

I don't own a 20 gauge but normally use a 28 or a 2" 12 gauge if I'm hunting over a good pointing dog since if you both do it right your shots will be in the 15-30 yard range. 3/4 -1 ounce is all I've needed for the past 20 years so I can't see any point to carrying a gun that weighs more than 5 1/2# if I'm going to be following a pup around.:twocents:

 

I have a Browning Gold in 12 gauge and have used it for waterfowl, including big geese, and upland but my first choice is my 20 gauge O/U for upland.

For Pheasants, chukars and huns the Fiocci Golden Pheasant 3" 1 1/4 oz nickel plated 6's are hard to beat. Winchester also makes an identical shell but they're very hard to find.

Even if you're hunting where lead is illegal there are some good choices for shells for a 20.

Even if I'm shooting a 12 I use a shell with 1 1/4 oz of 6's. The 20 is a sweet little light weight alternative. I also like the 28 gauge but shells are expensive and sometimes difficult to find. I quit reloading about 12 years ago.

 

Yep...the 28's are fun, but cartridges are double the cost of 20 ga. I like 1 oz. of #6 or #7.5 for most shooting, but occasionally will go to 3" 6# for pheasants. The cheap 7/8oz. load of #8 shot works great for quail.

Also, Ithaca made a Model 37 ultralight pump with a 25" bbl at just over 5lbs that was a decent little chukar popper...used ones are out there.

 

I wouldn't know since I always thought it was against the law to shoot ammo you didn't make yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!! And if it isn't it should be.

 

I love the 20 Ga. But when you are trying to put meat on the table and not just going out for 100% sport, you can't beat a 12 Ga. Autoloader. Load it up with some hot #4s and it works excellent for Roosters and Chukars.:wink:

 

This gets down to the root of my question. Why is the 12 gauge with a hot load of number 4's any better than say a 20 gauge with a hot load and number 4's?
Pellet count? Velocity? Range?

 

The versatility of the twelve is second to none. That pretty much speaks for it's self. I run everything from 1 oz of 8's for doves to 1 3/8 oz of high speed 4's for pheasants in my A-5 Light Twelve. I want for no other gun.

 

Definitely get a 20. Weatherby SA-08 or Mossberg SA-20. Not sure if they are the same gun or not, but I believe they are both Turkish imports.

The Franchi AL 48 is a touch lighter, a whole lot prettier, and quite a bit more money. But it only chambers 2 3/4".

 

The Weatherby is Turkish made, but so far getting good reviews.
The Franchi is about 1/2 lbs lighter...Really nice looking gun too. A little of an issue with the fact it doesn't shoot 3" shells though......

 

Freediver,

A 1 1/4 oz load of number anything cannot be fired at the same velocity out of a 20ga as it can a 12. So the energy with a 12 is greater at all ranges and yes your effective range is greater. Theoretically pattern distribution is better out of a 12 also.

That being said, I use a 20 for most of my upland work. I prefer 1 1/8 oz of #5 shot but have also had good results with just 1 oz of 5 shot on chukars. 6 shot just does not carry the energy reqiured for chukars at greater ranges. And yes Ive tried it all.

 

A couple years back I purchased a used Remington 1100 20ga specifically for Chukar.

Lighter and easier to pack up and down those hills.

I really like it. Seems to not have as much knock down power once those birds catch the wind heading downhill.

I like to shoot 3" #6 or #4 's through my 20 ga.

 

I always considered the smaller gauges as just a higher challenge in shooting. In other words the smaller the gauge the more expertise it takes to fill your limit. By limiting the shotshell size and the amount of shot fired, the more the challenge of hitting your target. I continually look for a high end .410 to upland hunt with. Maybe some day I will buy one. I say get the 20 gauge and have some fun.

 

DLA:

My chukar load is 1 1/8 oz of 7's @ 1535 fps through an improved modified choke. Tried 6's, went back to 7's. I think 6's would work better if I slowed them down a bit.

 

I think you answered your own question already. You already own a 12. If your not getting rid of it get the 20. If for some reason you find yourself in a situation where a 12 is needed use the 12 you have. Even with late season birds in KS where I'm from originally I found it rare that I asked myself why I didn't bring a 12.

While there are some nice light 12s on the market today (the SA-08 in 12ga is no pig at 6.5lbs) they still do not have the slim lines and feel of the sub-gauges. I prefer the slimmer feel of a 16 or 20 while carrying a gun for hours on end with the added benefit of the reduced weight.

For an affordable light upland 12ga new as far as I know the SA-08 and the CZ upland Ultralight O/U are about the only game in town while there are plenty of 20ga guns that fall below 6.5lbs.

And if you want to take a chance you can always split the difference and get a 16ga.

 

And if you want to take a chance you can always split the difference and get a 16ga.

The best chukar gun I own is a 16 gauge Ithaca Featherweight. The best of both worlds and it fits me like a glove. The only problem is that I rarely take it on chukar hunts as it is too much of a family heirloom and I don't want to beat the hell out of it in the rocks. Shells aren't that hard to find, but the selection is more limited.

I have both a 20 and a 12 that I use for chukars. I'll always grab the 20 unless the wind is howling, the weather is bad, and the birds are jumpy.

TF

 

I shoot the Franchi 48AL Field in 20ga. It weighs in at just over 5lbs. Basically like carrying a .410 around. I have never had it fail and would definitely recommend the gun. Franchi does have a slightly different recoil than other shotguns I have had. Not bad, just different. Unfortunately, I will have to say that their customer service really sucks.

 

7/8oz of lead #6 in a 2 3/4" shell kills chukar just fine 1oz of #5-#4 lead is another good 20ga 2 3/4" load If your thinking steel #6 in a 3" hull. Don't. #3 steel is the upland pellet for chukar. I prefer 3 shells in my guns, so i'm using a 20ga BPS. Even got a triple last time out for chukar

 

Just me, but I prefer 7/8 or 1 once 2 3/4 inch in the twenty. If you are going to shoot 1 1/4 once you just as well shoot the twelve as good shells are much less expensive than 3 inch 20 gauge. If you shoot a premium copper plated shell like federal premium you will find great killing power and the shot will not pull feathers into the meat like softer cheaper lead will.

nunyet

 

The problem with #4 and larger pellets in 20ga is pattern density at long range. Just isn't there enough pellets, for me at least.

 

I went thru the same process early this season.
Ended up with Browning Silver Hunter 20ga.
Other than 20ga 1 1/4oz loads being more difficult to find than 12's, I don't see a negative.
It sure is a lot easier to carry for 8 miles than a 12ga 11/87!

 

I see no advantage in heavy shot for quail, partridge, grouse etc. as the pattern density just isn't there with larger shot. Also 1.5oz 12 ga. loads are not noticibly better than a good trap load, or the old live pigeon load. I've been in live pigeon shoots many times where you had to kill the bird within the low fenced circle at various yardages from the gun. In the unlimited shoots you could choose any shot charge or weight you wanted. The guys that won (including me on occasion) always shot no more than 1.25oz. of 7 or 7.5 shot. #6 shot would often cut feathers but not kill....even with magnum loads. There's never good reason to go larger that 6 shot for upland game except for pheasant and sage grouse ....Number 7 shot is perfect for huns and chukar but is a bit hard to find. Number 5 steel works very well for chukar.

I also can't figure out the new craze with high velocity steel, as a 350fps increase in muzzle velocity nets you 50fps or less gain out where it would supposedly make a difference at 55-60yds. Who wants a 45-50fps gain on target for a LOT more recoil and generally less dense patterns?