Benelli M2 20 ga update

[SteveB]

My plan was to set up an HD shotgun for my wife (a small person who shoots a 28 ga O/U for skeet). I sent the barrel of an M2 20 ga field compact to Brockman and he cut it to 19" and installed sights. With an Aimpoint S1, it weighs 5 lbs 15 oz. Here it is pictured with my M2 12 ga and a pic of 3 Brenneke Rotweil slugs offhand at 25. Sadly, Remington #3 buckshot (all the LGS had) does not pattern well. Any ideas about 20 ga buckshot suitable for HD? I plan to try Federal #3 and the "Personal Defense" #4.

22826

22827

[Dagga Boy]

Need a super like button. That thing came out great. It is like my M2 3 gun that could put in the dryer too long. I like the comfort-tech stocks combined with the vent rib and S1. It makes for a super clean,sleek gun that are fast handling and comfortable to carry.

[peterb]

Nice!

We went with the Personal Defense #4 for my wife's gun. I know it doesn't make the FBI penetration spec, but at inside-the-house distances it should be adequate.

[4gallonbucket]

My plan was to set up an HD shotgun for my wife (a small person who shoots a 28 ga O/U for skeet). I sent the barrel of an M2 20 ga field compact to Brockman and he cut it to 19" and installed sights. With an Aimpoint S1, it weighs 5 lbs 15 oz. Here it is pictured with my M2 12 ga and a pic of 3 Brenneke Rotweil slugs offhand at 25. Sadly, Remington #3 buckshot (all the LGS had) does not pattern well. Any ideas about 20 ga buckshot suitable for HD? I plan to try Federal #3 and the "Personal Defense" #4.

22826

22827

Looks great! Is tapping for chokes an option?


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[TCinVA]

http://wolfhillammo.com/20gaugetactical00buckshot234.aspx

That ammo essentially replicates the ballistics of the Federal Flight Control 8 pellet 00 buckshot load in 12 gauge. (Low recoil load) It's worth a shot.

One word of caution: Physics is physics. If you push the same payload at more or less the same velocities you're going to get essentially the same effect on the other end. This is one of the problems with the 20...it's not automatic that a 20 gauge will offer less felt recoil than a 12. Ammo selection becomes critical.

I believe Federal makes a #2 buckshot load for 20 gauge.

Edit: Found it!

https://www.ammunitiontogo.com/product_info.php/pName/5rds-20-gauge-federal-premium-vitalshok-3-18-pellet-2-buckshot-ammo

...but it's a 3" magnum load, so I wouldn't recommend it.

They also make a 2 3/4" #3 load:

https://www.ammunitiontogo.com/product_info.php/pName/5rds-20-gauge-federal-premium-vitalshok-2-34-3-buckshot-ammo

#3 is closer to Doc's "ideal" buckshot load, and that loading uses copper plated pellets which is going to help in the terminal ballistics department too. Might be a great compromise.

[peterb]

One word of caution: Physics is physics. If you push the same payload at more or less the same velocities you're going to get essentially the same effect on the other end. This is one of the problems with the 20...it's not automatic that a 20 gauge will offer less felt recoil than a 12. Ammo selection becomes critical.

...but it's a 3" magnum load, so I wouldn't recommend it..

It took me one round of 3" buck in a lightweight youth 20-gauge pump to learn that lesson. Ouch. :(

In my limited experience, the best argument for a 20 for smaller shooters is that a smaller, slimmer gun works better in smaller hands. A heavier 12 with light loads can have relatively mild recoil but be too bulky to manipulate comfortably.

[TCinVA]

I have fantasies of getting an 870 junior and sending it to Vang for the full enchilada. Because I'm a pervert like that.

[Chuck Whitlock]

Sadly, Remington #3 buckshot (all the LGS had) does not pattern well. Any ideas about 20 ga buckshot suitable for HD? I plan to try Federal #3 and the "Personal Defense" #4.

http://www.sgammo.com/catalog/shotgun-ammunition/20-gauge-ammo

RIO and Spartan both make 9 pellet #1B loads. I'm planning on buying a 25 rd box of each to try out.

[ranger]

http://www.sgammo.com/catalog/shotgun-ammunition/20-gauge-ammo

RIO and Spartan both make 9 pellet #1B (https://pistol-forum.com/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=1B) loads. I'm planning on buying a 25 rd box of each to try out.

I use the Spartan 20 gauge 9 pellet #1B (https://pistol-forum.com/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=1B) loads in my wife's SA20. No issues noted. Shot enough for function check. Fortunately we have not "needed" it yet.

[SteveB]

OK, here's some range data. I shot the Benelli M2 12 gauge, (18.5", IC choke) as a control; 1 Brenneke Classic slug to check zero at 25. For the M2 20 gauge (19" cylinder bore), 1 Brenneke Light Field Magnum slug to check zero at 25.

Patterns at 15 yards:

12 ga (1 shot):
Federal LE132 1B = 4.5"

20ga (average 3 shots):
Federal PD256 3B = 18"
Federal PD256 4B = 16"
Spartan #1B (https://pistol-forum.com/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=1B) = 12"
Rio #1B (https://pistol-forum.com/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=1B) = 9"

At 10 yards:

LE132 1B = 3.25"
Rio 1B = 6"

So far, Rio # 1 buck is the clear winner in 20 ga.

[GJM]

Steve, thanks for the effort to do the testing and report the data. My current thinking, is that while a 20 gauge makes a good dedicated Brenneke slug launcher, with buck, the trade-offs are too great to make it worth it over a 12 gauge.