re. the 20 gauge being a bird hunting rig....
here is a brief c&p excerpt of a forum discussing same:
Old August 4, 2005, 11:05 AM #2
jacobtowne
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Join Date: July 14, 2005
Location: New England
Posts: 277
I'd be comfortable with a 20 gauge on anything in the lower 48 states (at close range, of course). Some of the most successful whitetail hunters I know use 20 gauge guns.
The bore is about .62 caliber, the slug about 400 grains, and the muzzle velocity around 1600 fps.
JT
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Old August 4, 2005, 01:59 PM #3
Southern Shooter
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Join Date: May 4, 2005
Location: central Louisiana
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so at 25-50 yards...
So at 25-50 yards a 20 gauge slug can bring down anything in the lower 48 states? Bear, moose, etc?
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Old August 4, 2005, 02:32 PM #4
artsmom
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Join Date: January 24, 2005
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 319
Yes, Moose, Bears, cougars, and bad guys. At 25 yards, it is superior to the old .45-70 Government loads, and few doubt that caliber for taking down any North American game at close range.
Choose any slugs according to whether they are suitable for a rifled or unrifled barrel, whichever your shotgun has.