Yes, used a 20 on lots of preserve/planted birds (the majority of what I shoot). Will kill any pheasant DRT. A dozen pellets; 4,5, or 6's, at ~1200 FPS will kill any pheasant out to 30-35 yards regardless if they come out of a 28 or 12 gauge and anything in between. True, you have more pellets to work with if using a heavier shot load. But if you only whack them with 11 pellets with your 12 gauge then 13 pellets at the same speed from a 20 gauge will drop them a tad quicker. It's lead on target that matters, not lead missed with!
I'm a former 27 yard ATA trap shooter and been to Vandalia more than once. Therefore can say I know my way around a shotgun a little bit. Because of recoil I know I shoot better with 20 gauge shotgun. Recoil is not my friend. It would take some really wild, fast flying, long flushing pheasants to make me reach for a 12 gauge.
