Which gauge for boys first shotgun.

Those inserts might have helped me make up my mind. I may just go 20 gauge in a mini bantam (5lbs) and get the inserts if the light 20 gauge loads kick too much.

Thanks guys.
 
20 gauge with a very open choke. Best way to start a new shotgunner IMO. When he get a bit older and starts to hunt real flying stuff, the small payload of the 410 will do nothing but frustrate him. Been there, done that...
 
Qhergt said:
If your going to load, why not just get a 12 and load up some light loads for it? Even full loads with low recoil wadds make it very easy to handle
Click to expand...

Many of the 12's on the market are too heavy of mass for a youngster to handle, so they get a lighter 20 or even 28 - the problem with that is that they start shooting 1oz field loads out of them and the recoil is a killer anyway out of the lighter guns!!:confused:
I nice light 20 with light 3/4oz loads is perfect, but of he can handle the mass, and 7/8oz 12 loads are available, it's a toss up then!:)
Cat
 
I would recommend a 20 ga.

I taught my kids to shot with a BB gun. Started out with safety, then progressed to sight picture, hold aim fire. Once the basics are there, the rest is only a small step from rifle to shotgun.

The biggest factor in introducing kids to the outdoors is success. You want a kid to hate fishing, take him/her brook fishing in the spring. Between the bugs and endless miles of no fish, they will hate all fishing. Fish farm is a way better bet.

Same as shooting. Start with positive results. BB gun, clay targets at 3 meters. Then further, progress to a .22 close range.

When you bring in the shotgun, work on busting a milk jug, watermelon etc.

Then when the wing shooting starts, same thing. All going away, slow and easy.

20 guage will throw a good pattern with light loads and small shot.

If this makes no sense. Grab a .410, a few buddies, and try to bust some clays. You'll be humbled fast, and get discouraged quick. Try the same clays with a 20 or 12. Better results for sure.

That is what will hook a kid quick, bust a few, call it quits and end one a high note.
 
Kids progress very quickly when they decide to go after something. Ianthomson is on to something with his approach. There are lots guns kicking around. My approach would be to borrow for a bit before you make a buy.
 
As a kid I started out shooting grouse with a .410 at 9 years old (head shots, on the ground). It was a few years before I was comfortable using Dad's 20ga (too much recoil, even with 2 3/4 inch loads). Dad always bought 3" shells for the .410 with #6 shot, and they had enough to git'er done out to 25yrds if I was accurate. I shot a LOT of grouse with that gun, and enjoyed doing it. The 20ga was scary until I was in my early teens.
 
I was one of the ones who started out with a full size pump action 12 gauge when i was 11. Dad thought i would grow into it. I lugged that f*cker around until my arms nearly fell off. Fun times were not had let me tell you. I started carrying around my moms old cast off single shot 28 gauge and everything was good after that. My Dad was not pleased that i left my 12 gauge at home more often than not but i just wasn't strong enough to carry around a full size shotgun at that age. Hell, i still don't use that shotgun very much and prefer that old single shot 28 gauge and a wingmaster in 16 gauge. Both full choke. Both fit me well and are light and easy to carry. Food for thought. YMMV

Edit to add: I'm not a scrawny little kid anymore. I just prefer lighter guns.
 
Last edited:
My girlfrined thinks the Remington Youth 20 kicks harder than my Citori in 12 gauge. The youth models have a horrible recoil pad. Well, all the Express models have a horrible recoil pad on them. If you go the 20 gauge route I would suggest replacing the recoil pad to something softer.
 
A remington 870 compact in 20 gauge with rem chokes will serve him perfectly. I outfit a few youngins of like age/size and wasted alot of time and money before I discovered the 870 compact. Once you get him the gun get him out to the trap range on a quiet night. Once that first clay shatters he will be hooked for life. With lite loads and proper hold/ stance recoil wont be problem. Just train him to mount the gun tightly and to keep it moving after the trigger is tripped and he wont be bothered. Skip shooting stationary targets put him right on clays.
 
When my son Eric started using shoot gun was about 9 or 10 yrs old. It started with a double barrel side by side and very light load, the following xmas I presented him with a youth model 20ga. winchester pump, and the following year at the opening of partridge season in about 5 seconds 4 shoots and 5 birds! (first shoot 2 on the ground, the other 3 in the air.) I was impress but not as much as my hunting partner, still with his gun on the shoulder strap.!
 
Dorian Gray said:
I was one of the ones who started out with a full size pump action 12 gauge when i was 11. Dad thought i would grow into it. I lugged that f*cker around until my arms nearly fell off. Fun times were not had let me tell you. I started carrying around my moms old cast off single shot 28 gauge and everything was good after that. My Dad was not pleased that i left my 12 gauge at home more often than not but i just wasn't strong enough to carry around a full size shotgun at that age. Hell, i still don't use that shotgun very much and prefer that old single shot 28 gauge and a wingmaster in 16 gauge. Both full choke. Both fit me well and are light and easy to carry. Food for thought. YMMV

Edit to add: I'm not a scrawny little kid anymore. I just prefer lighter guns.
Click to expand...


I concur! I'm 6-3 inches and a bit over 200 pounds. I will pick up one of my 16 gauge pumps before a 12 as well. Sadly the non-tox requirements have for the most part ended waterfowl hunting with the lowly 16 gauges. 1 1/8th ounce of chilled sixes dropped many a fat greenhead on my marsh while jump-shooting
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom