Lindcott Armory Shotgun · SAAMI
20 Gauge
Popular hunting gauge.
- Caliber
- 0.615″ · 15.621 mm
- Introduced
- 1870
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Hunting, Target
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1870
- Type
- Shotgun
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Inventor
- Various
- Manufacturer
- Various
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Abundant
- Twist (typical)
- N/A (smoothbore)
- Primer
- 209 Shotshell
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 12,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Recoil
- 15–22 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Hornady SST Sabot Slug 250 gr, 1,800 fps, BC 0.306 G7 · 100 yd zero.
| Range | Velocity | Energy | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 yd | 1800 | 1798 | -1.5″ | — |
| 100 yd | 1681 | 1568 | 0.0″ | 0.0 |
| 200 yd | 1565 | 1359 | -10.8″ | -5.2 |
| 300 yd | 1452 | 1171 | -36.0″ | -11.5 |
| 400 yd | 1344 | 1003 | -77.5″ | -18.5 |
Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →
Performance
Buy links open 20 Gauge ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 15.62 | 0.615 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 17.37 | 0.684 | ~ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 17.70 | 0.697 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 19.46 | 0.766 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.23 | 0.048 | · |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 70.10 | 2.760 | · |
| Overall length | 62.10 | 2.445 | ~ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 20 Gauge is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 592 active loads across 56 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 594 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady | SST Sabot | 250 | SST Sabot | 2,000 | 2,220 | 0.306 G7 |
| Hornady | SST Sabot Slug | 250 | SST Sabot | 1,800 | 1,798 | 0.306 G7 |
| Hornady | SST Sabot Slug | 250 | SST | 1,800 | 1,798 | 0.306 G7 |
| Hornady | SST Slug | 1 | SST Sabot Slug | 2,000 | 9 | — |
| Remington | Copper Solid Sabot Slug | — | 3/4 oz Copper Sabot Slug | 1,900 | — | — |
| Remington | AccuTip Sabot Slug | — | AccuTip 260gr Sabot Slug | 1,900 | — | — |
| Remington | Premier AccuTip Sabot Slug | 260 | AccuTip Sabot | 1,900 | 2,084 | — |
| Federal | Vital-Shok Trophy Copper Slug | 1 | Sabot Slug | 1,900 | 8 | — |
| Winchester | Partition Gold Sabot Slug | — | Nosler Partition Sabot HP | 1,900 | — | — |
| Federal | Trophy Copper Sabot Slug | — | Trophy Copper Sabot Slug 3" | 1,900 | — | — |
| Federal | Trophy Copper | 328 | Slug | 1,850 | 2,492 | — |
| Brenneke | Gold Magnum Sabot Slug | — | 3/4 oz Sabot Slug | 1,800 | — | — |
| Remington | Hypersonic Steel | 875 | Steel #2 | 1,700 | 5,614 | — |
| Brenneke | KO Sabot | 273 | Sabot Slug | 1,640 | 1,630 | — |
| Brenneke | SL Sabot | 273 | Sabot Slug | 1,640 | 1,630 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Suitable powders
19 reloading powders listed for 20 Gauge, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in 20 Gauge
12 models in the database chamber 20 Gauge. Browse all →
Connected reference
History
Standardized with other gauges in 1870s. Less popular than 12 gauge but significant following. Preferred by many upland hunters for lighter weight.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 20 Gauge use?
- 20 Gauge typically uses a N/A (smoothbore) twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 20 Gauge?
- 20 Gauge uses a 0.615″ (15.621 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 20 Gauge still in production?
- 20 Gauge is active; typical availability is abundant.
- What is 20 Gauge used for?
- 20 Gauge is primarily used for hunting, target.
- What are the best powders for 20 Gauge?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for 20 Gauge include No. 1, BA10, CSB1, Vectan BA10, among 19 suitable options.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 592 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →