20 gauge or .410 for a junior shooter?

[Atlas 12v]

My son is 11 and keen to follow me into shooting. Will be 99% clays and a very small amount of game.

After opinions to whether a 20ga or .410 would suit him better.

He's shot a .410 in the past without a problem but I don't want to buy one only to need to sell and move on in a short time for 20ga.

Wondering whether to go straight to 20ga. He's 140cm tall.

Asides from the obvious answer of having both in the safe... Thoughts appreciated.

[Phud]

No use what so ever

Buy both...

My suggestion would be 20 as .410 are actually an expensive shot.

[PhilboSE]

I got a 20 gauge for the junior shooters. The .410 has a smaller load and therefore the guns are usually tightly choked to concentrate the spread into a smaller area that might do some damage. Muzzle velocity is also down due to less powder.

I think if the .410 was named according to gauge sizes it would be something in the order of a 67 gauge!

So, it’s harder to hit something with a .410, the cartridges are more expensive, and really the only benefit is significantly less recoil.

.410s are usually recommended for the 5-12 age group, as your lad is at the upper end of that I’d definitely get a 20g. Turkish own name brands make surprisingly good and cheap 20g - I bought a Yildiz for relative buttons, and it has nicer wood than my Browning!

[MKnight702]

Another vote for the 20g. If I remember correctly the .410 has a really tight shot pattern which makes breaking clays much harder. If you think a lighter gun would be better how about a 28g?

The best option would be find somewhere that you can try them, then decide.

[Old Fart]

When steel shot becomes compulsary .410 cartridges will be unavailable.

20 bore is the way to go for youngsters, using a light load and a gun of a decent weight to keep recoil low.

I'm not looking forward to using steel but the way things are going I don't think that we will have a choice.

[MKnight702]

Old Fart said:

When steel shot becomes compulsary .410 cartridges will be unavailable.

20 bore is the way to go for youngsters, using a light load and a gun of a decent weight to keep recoil low.

I'm not looking forward to using steel but the way things are going I don't think that we will have a choice.

At least you have an alternative. I shoot muzzle loaders and pure lead is pretty much all they are able to shoot.

[Old Fart]

Totally agree, I tried muzzle loading pistol after the pistol ban.

I ended up with a single shot Pedersoli Charles Moore target percussion in 36 caliber which was good to shoot and very accurate.

But I did miss clay shooting so I went back to that

[Nick_MSM]

Another vote for a 20g - for the reasons mentioned above!

[Atlas 12v]

Thanks all. Pretty conclusive.

20g Yildiz it is then.

[NDA]

Atlas 12v said:

Thanks all. Pretty conclusive.

20g Yildiz it is then.

I recently bought a 20 bore (EELL) - having shot a 12 for decades. I love it - such a lovely gun.

As others have said, go with 20. Perfect for a youngster too.

I live near the UK distributor for Yildiz as it happens. Pointless fact!

[LimaDelta]

We have both options four our children. The boy has been using the .410 since 10yo. The 20 is a semi so recoil pretty much non-existent.

It's surprising how often I find myself borrowing the single-shot .410. I love it. Also, I've found it has made me a better shot, given the much tighter pattern. I wouldn't take it for a full day out, but for use in the garden, I find it great. It does make a 12 feel like overkill on occasions.

[PhilboSE]

I know what you mean LimaDelta, I’ve also got a 28g bought for wife and when you first start using it you have to recalibrate how accurate you need to be to get it in the centre of the pattern, but then switching to the 12g makes it feel slow and cumbersome for a bit.

[Geffg]

I’d say the 20 gauge too. My lad is 13 and shoots a 12gauge with 21g or 24g cartridges and is fine with it. So I’d say go with the 20gauge.

[BEP]

I started with a 28 gauge when I was 8, still have it actually 37 years later! Great little guns but can be limiting.
By 11 a 20 bore should be fine, go for a slightly better brand and a touch heavier as it will absorb kick in a more controlled way. Some of the very light 20’s I used to find suffered pronounced muzzle flip and a tendency to kick. Not sure on your budget but a 687 would be my choice.

[iidentifyaswoke]

On a tangent - 11 years old is plenty old enough for your son to join a rifle club and start shooting a 22lr (or anything else they shoot at the club, but a 22 is low recoil). My son started club shooting younger than that. Gets along well with a S&W 15-22, mainly as it has an adjustable length of pull and isn't particularly heavy .

[LotusMartin]

20 with a low load (21g) cartridge will be fine. My wife’s 20g silver pigeon is a joy to use especially on game days. light, virtually no kick and you can still up the load and use 5s if you need. You’ll also be able to resell it easier when he wants a 12g.

No brainer.