I POSED the question in this column last August as to how many 20-gauge shotguns were likely to be out on the moors for the opening day of the grouse shooting season. Of course, this is impossible to calculate without a costly and time-consuming survey which would really serve no purpose.

It is an interesting thought, though. Over the last couple of decades or so the 20-bore has certainly gained in popularity, mostly with the modern generation of sportsmen, and is preferred by many to the standard 12-gauge on account of its lightness and excellent fast handling.

Thus, those who shot with a 20 on the moors have doubtless continued to use it for the rest of the season, first on partridge and then pheasants once November heralded the fall of the leaf.

Unless you were brought up to use a 20-bore then the transition from a 12 will need a period of adjustment. Bearing in mind that your choice hinges on its lightweight advantages, shooting with the heavier loads is, to some extent, defeating the object of the change.

Many of the older 20s were chambered 2½ inches so that used to be somewhat restrictive until modern technology and advancement in shotgun ammunition which reduced breech pressures made it possible for a 28gm load to be fired in a gun with a 2½-inch chambering.

One example of this cartridge is the shorter cased version of Eley's ‘VIP’ with a 28 gram load and suitable for guns with suitably proofed 2½-inch chambers.

Personally, I find that this ‘heavy’ load outweighs the advantages of a lovely traditional lightweight side-by-side. Available in 5 and 6 shot-sizes with a choice of a fibre or photodegradable plastic wad, there are those occasions later in the season when the birds are wilder and fly higher and faster when it will have its advantages.

If you are going to shoot with a 28gm load then far better to use a modern over-and-under specially developed to withstand the additional recoil. Some time ago I reviewed these 2½-inch VIP cartridges but since then Eley have introduced a high performance load especially for 2¾-inch chambers.

VIP GAME

LIKE all other Eley 20-bore cartridges it has the conventional bright yellow case, so important in ensuring that it is not confused with a 12-bore cartridge and inserted into the latter shotgun with disastrous results. There have been occasions when this has occurred in recent years.

The VIP has a plastic crimped 70mm case which is suitable for guns with 2¾-inch chambers, suitably proofed. Available in shot-sizes 5 and 6, there is a fibre wad, the latter being favoured in these environmentally-conscious days. There is a 16mm brass-lined head.

I tested this cartridge in No 5 shot-size. With the current trend towards even higher and faster driven pheasants, 12-bore shooters are now opting for Nos 4 and 5 in preference to 6.  Fours, though, are not available in this 20-gauge load so No 5 should suffice.

I tested this on a 30-inch pattern board at 30 yards, using my 20-bore over-and-under. Although this shotgun dates from the 1960s, it is magnum chambered, its previous owner having used it to great effect on geese with a three-inch shell. With the majority of over-and-unders these days being chambered for this length there should be no problem when using shorter cases.

From an average pellet count of 202, 157 patterned nicely within the circle. The half-choke added a further dozen or so pellets, again well distributed with no gaps large enough for a gamebird to pass through.

There was nothing worthy of mention with regard to recoil. Bear in mind that I was using a 6½lb shotgun designed for heavy loads, anyway. Another factor which must be considered is that no two guns pattern identically with a specific cartridge. Nevertheless, I was more than satisfied with the VIP's performance. There is a reported muzzle velocity of 1400 fps.

VARIETY

I HAVE no doubt that the extended range of available cartridges for the 20 is a factor in its popularity. In theory, you can shoot an identical load to that which your fellow Guns are using in their 12-bores, and equal or out-perform them according to your marksmanship skills.

That is excellent but, for myself, a light gun is made for a light cartridge. However, individual shooting situations must dictate which load is most suitable. I have no hesitation in recommending VIP 2¾-inch for those late season days.

VINTAGE 20-BORE CARTRIDGES

ALTHOUGH, as previously mentioned, the majority of pre-1939 20-bore cartridges were 2½-inch, there were notable exceptions. Amongst the complete boxes of these in my collection there is an Eley Gastight water-resisting metal-lined cartridge. A rubber stamped ‘2¾"’ on the side of the packaging is the only indication of the case length and no shot load is mentioned although it is a one ounce load.

The same applies to a three-inch Eley Gastight example. This is in No 4 shot-size and obviously intended for wildfowling.

I also have some gunmaker-loaded unprinted orange Eley-Kynoch 2¾-inch in No 6. Eley's ‘Alphamax’ 20-bore magnum load for 1964 is quoted as having a one-ounce load whilst the standard 2½-inch was 13/16oz (23gm), widely available in the manufacturers' ‘20 Gauge.’

In my early shooting days when I purchased most of my cartridges from a local ironmonger, he only carried a small stock of the latter brand and nothing else. The 20 was then considered a gun for either ladies or young Shots and demand for cartridges was small.

In our rural community in those days I only knew of one 20-bore shotgun which was a ‘second’ gun, owned and used by a part-time gamekeeper. I was not aware of the existence of a 28-bore but almost every shooter seemed to use a .410 for small vermin.

Now the 20-bore is a serious contender on the game scene. I am going to pose another question. Is it here to stay or will the trend go full cycle and return to the trusty 12-bore? Or maybe even the delightful 16? Only time will tell.