I would love to carry a 20 ga. but where I hunt its nontox shot and I am usually doing ducks early and pheasants after lunch so I shoot the same gun and load. Benelli M1 and 3" #3 steel. I'm looking at a light 20 ga. auto and if I ever get a chance to hunt where lead is legal I will definatly try the 20 ga. with an ounce load.
I kill a lot of waterfowl including geese with a 3" 20 gauge and while I have to admit finding a good patterning load of steel shot larger than #3 can be a challenge. If you load your own shells the heavier than steel shots certainly add an extra dimension to the capabilities of the 20. 7/8-1oz of steel at 1400-1500 fps kills ducks, pheasants and with skilled shooting geese over the decoys just as well as a 12 gauge. You are doing yourself a disservice by not hunting with the 20, if you truly want to.
