I'm looking at 20g shotguns for my daughter. We'll primarily be using it for Partridge, but might go after the odd bunny and eventually deer. From what I can tell the 20g will fit this role nicely. Being small in stature, weight is a concern. Options right now are the Mossberg bantam and the Chiappa Double Badger, but it'll have to get cut down to fit her. Now today, I find a 14" single shot 20g with a fixed mod choke. The stock will have to be cut, but the weight should be about right. I'm just worried about the fixed choke and how practicall it will be in real life. Recoil most likely won't be an issue for her, but I plan on starting out with small critters first.
Hunting with a short 20g
- Thread starter weasel1
- Start date
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
Starting out a kid with a 14" barrel seems like terrible idea to me.
Why not look at an 870 youth?
A purpose built gun for youth is a better option then cutting down a full size gun to fit her. I'd probably go with the Mossberg from what you listed.
Why not look at an 870 youth?
A purpose built gun for youth is a better option then cutting down a full size gun to fit her. I'd probably go with the Mossberg from what you listed.
saskgunowner101
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- middle of Sask
I'd vote for the Mossberg bantam as well, and mirroring blasted sabers thoughts, a 14" 20 gauge is a horrible idea. If you can borrow one, and go shoot it a dozen times without ear pro, you'll know why. I'm sure the recoil of a 20 will bump up a lot as well.
I think if one had to, they could make a 14" 20 gauge fixed choke single shotgun work for what you want. However, there are a number of marks against it that have been mentioned. The main thing is that it only has low cost really going for it.
Even a longer barrel (18" or more) 20 gauge, screw in choke single shot would be a better choice: points better, you can vary the range, not as loud, etc. Put a good recoil pad on it, trim the stock if necessary, and for around $200 you have something.
For around $300, you can start looking at pump action shotguns, and if you watch the EE, a good 20 gauge pump with screw in choke might come up. This would add a bit of weight to reduce the recoil factor, and give you a repeater. I'd still put a recoil pad on it. Quite useful for hunting. You could do some practicing with her to see if this gun will fit her. I suggest looking up brobee223 videos on youtube for how he worked with his daughters.
Part of the issue is that we don't really know where you will hunt, so perhaps more information is in order.
Even a longer barrel (18" or more) 20 gauge, screw in choke single shot would be a better choice: points better, you can vary the range, not as loud, etc. Put a good recoil pad on it, trim the stock if necessary, and for around $200 you have something.
For around $300, you can start looking at pump action shotguns, and if you watch the EE, a good 20 gauge pump with screw in choke might come up. This would add a bit of weight to reduce the recoil factor, and give you a repeater. I'd still put a recoil pad on it. Quite useful for hunting. You could do some practicing with her to see if this gun will fit her. I suggest looking up brobee223 videos on youtube for how he worked with his daughters.
Part of the issue is that we don't really know where you will hunt, so perhaps more information is in order.
Hunting will be in Ontario. Mostly heavy bush. I'd think less than 25 yards for the small stuff. Deer will be ~50 or less, but that won't be for a year or two with her. I'll have a look at those videos LarryG. Appreciate the help.
Turkeyslayer 1300
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Russell, Ontario
An organization I volunteer with has started 110 children in eastern Ontario hunting and shooting. We started with single shot 20s and found they were very off putting for the young folks as by and large they kick like b@$tards. We now have the use of 10 Mossberg bantam 20s that have been plugged to accept only one shell. They are much more manageable and can be fit to the shooter with shims.The are also not so heavy as to be hard to hold but have enough heft to tame the recoil of the 3” loads we use when we do our field goose hunt.
I personally would recommend that setup or a Winchester Sxp compact.
I personally would recommend that setup or a Winchester Sxp compact.
I bought this Mosberg for my grandson. Price is right, shoots 2 3/4 or 3" removable chokes, adjustable stock length , what more to ask for. It functions perfectly . I picked up an improved cyl. choke for upland and steel shot for him.
Fill out the questionnaire on line with your last receipt and get another $20.00 off the price. { no receipt?? buy a box of fudge, go outside and do the questionnaire and get the coupon instantly on line.} go back in and buy the gun.
https://www.cabelas.ca/product/47113/maverick-88-field-youth-pump-action-shotgun-20-gauge
for a bit more https://www.cabelas.ca/product/102059/mossberg-500-fielddeer-combo-3-20-gauge-pump-shotgun
another option for you is the Coach gun sxs in 20 ga. Hammerless and thumb safety.Mine came fixed IC and Mod. Some have screw in chokes.
Fill out the questionnaire on line with your last receipt and get another $20.00 off the price. { no receipt?? buy a box of fudge, go outside and do the questionnaire and get the coupon instantly on line.} go back in and buy the gun.
https://www.cabelas.ca/product/47113/maverick-88-field-youth-pump-action-shotgun-20-gauge
for a bit more https://www.cabelas.ca/product/102059/mossberg-500-fielddeer-combo-3-20-gauge-pump-shotgun
another option for you is the Coach gun sxs in 20 ga. Hammerless and thumb safety.Mine came fixed IC and Mod. Some have screw in chokes.
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I use a Ricol O/U 20g with 14" barrels as my grouse gun. My hunting buddies liked it so much, they all have them over the years. Weight is there, it has different chokes (though I use full and mod for grouse), but it is loud without ear protection. Even shot a few rounds of trap with it - shot a 20 and 21. My sons have a single shot .410 and they like it, but they find it has a bit of a kick (they are only 8 and 7).
Mossberg is popular for a reason, but Mossberg's terminology can be confusing.
A '510 Super Bantam' has a 10.5-11.5" LOP and a 18.5" barrel.
A '505 Youth' has a 12" LOP and a 20" barrel.
An 'SA-20 Youth' has a 12.5" LOP and a 24" barrel.
A '500 Super Bantam' has a 12-13" LOP and either a 22" or 24" barrel.
A '500 Bantam' has a 13" LOP and either a 22" or 24" barrel.
A '500' has a 13.87" LOP.
https://www.mossberg.com/category/series/youth-500-505-510/
http://www.mossberg.com/category/series/sa-20/
The website is not easy to navigate, and not every available model is listed. Their catalog is better.
Here is a link to a copy of the 2018 Mossberg catalog:
http://www.mossberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/2018-MOSSBERG-CATALOG_LowRes.pdf.html
You can order a paper copy of the 2018 Mossberg catalog here:
http://www.mossberg.com/catalog-req...fd8d00cc|b1de87ce-dba2-4f97-9071-80525405cd53
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I did just that the other night. Some great videos and I'll definitely be emulating some of what he did.
Thank you very much for that. It looks as though the Maverick lines up with the Bantam. I think at the price I just found the Maverick, I suspect that's what we'll be buying. Now to convince my wife to let me sign up for her hunters apprenticeship course and I'll be all set.
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
I don’t know how short of stock you need but my gf is 5’3” and I bought her a Browning BPS Micro Medallion 20 gauge with 26” invector plus choked barrel. It’s not overly heavy, comes with spacers to increase the lop and the inflex recoil pad is very nice. One more to consider.
