20/12 your opinions

[Daryl Pelfrey]

I would like to build me a fusil dechase i believe is the name. I did a 20 once bht sold it.Dumb.
I want to be able to squirrel hunt and maybe deer and turkey, but mostly squirrel. Is there any reason to go with a 12 or will the 62 cal/ 20ga do all I want? Cant really find any thing in 12 anyway.

[smylee grouch]

How much tolerance do you have for recoil? Might be a lot of difference between the two in recoil in that style of gun.

[smallpatch]

You can find 12's.  I have a Colerain Griffith in 12 ga.
For shooting birds, go with the 12.  If just for squirrels, stay with the 20.

[Hungry Horse]

I believe the problem with recoil isn’t the gauge, it the stock shape. If you are dead set on a French style stock, I’d go with a twenty gauge, but if you’re willing to consider an English, or American style straight stock, then go with the twelve.

  Hungry Horse

 

[Daryl]

If shooting deer with patched round balls, the 12 bore has the POTENTIAL for better accuracy than a 20 bore.
Either will suffice.
The 12 should be much better for shooting flying birds due to heavier charges of shot, just as with modern guns.
Bob-in-the-woods 10 bore would be even better.

16 bore could be a good compromise and .648" moulds for round ball, should be easily found.

[hanshi]

A 20ga is what I have and like.  Recoil is a non-issue in my shooting career.  A .600" ball takes less lead, takes deer and handles shot with aplomb.  But if you have lots and lots of lead and powder is easy to find and afford, a larger bore is a logical consideration.  Stock shape is important.

[Mike Brooks]

Go with a 16, best of both worlds. Get a jug choke put in it, don't go with a modern taper choke.

[smallpatch]

Like Mike says..... jug choke.

[Daryl Pelfrey]

Thanks again. A 16 is appealing if I can locate a barrel. I have to go with a NON INLET but precarve as im not up to building from a blank. So i would have to find a precarve also.

[Bill Raby]

I built a fusil-de-chasse in 16 bore. Better than either a 12 or 20. Got a 44" octagon to round barrel from Track of the Wolf. Building from a blank is easier than building from a pre-carve. But it takes a bit longer.

[Mike Brooks]

Thanks again. A 16 is appealing if I can locate a barrel. I have to go with a NON INLET but precarve as im not up to building from a blank. So i would have to find a precarve also.

 Building form a blank is far easier than a non inlet precarve. Get a blank, have the barrel and RR channel done and go from there. It's still the same amount of inletting with no built in mistakes like a precarve has.

[Longknife]

Colerain makes a C weight 16 X 44, same outside dimensions as their 20 gauge so it is lighter. They also have precarve stocks inlet for these barrels and tulle lock ….I have a set of said parts right now , just cant seem to get enuff time to work on them,,,,ED

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/655/2/COLE-FOWL

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/895/1/STK-FUSIL-2