410 vs 20 gauge

[Mungo]

I’ve never shot a 20, but am starting to look for a light gun that I could share with my son for rough shooting. Lots of walking, occasional opportunistic shots at pigeons, squirrels etc.

We currently have a single barrel 410 that we’ve been using for this, but it is a bit limited. I was thinking a side-by-side 20 might be a better option.

I’d be very grateful for thoughts. He’s a robust 9 year old who plays rugby, so isn’t terribly sensitive to being bumped a bit.

 

[TheCornishman]

Have an AYA #4 non-ejector that gets used for rough days where the beating and terrain gets pretty demanding…it’s the way to go.

My nephews have been taught to shot with a single 410 and then moved onto the 20b…all a similar age to your lad and front rows

I used the 20b yesterday for the annual Boxing Day Rambo Ramble that is an outside day rough shoot. 1ounce loads will be ideal for the lad and do the job or for more poke 30g of 5 brings down anything if placed well…you should’ve seen my Crow!

My normal carry is a 30” Browning 525 game….I love it and shoot well with it….but…. I can tell you the difference at the end of the day if you’ve plenty of walking or clambering to do is night & day

 

[Smellydog]

A 20g with 21g loads is sweet.
A 410 with 14g or more and half choke is good too. 410's are often over choked.

 

[Lancaster]

I’ve never shot a 20, but am starting to look for a light gun that I could share with my son for rough shooting. Lots of walking, occasional opportunistic shots at pigeons, squirrels etc.

We currently have a single barrel 410 that we’ve been using for this, but it is a bit limited. I was thinking a side-by-side 20 might be a better option.

I’d be very grateful for thoughts. He’s a robust 9 year old who plays rugby, so isn’t terribly sensitive to being bumped a bit.

A 28 bore gives far better patterns than a .410 and, if it's built on an action proportionate to it's bore, they are a lovely gun to shoot.

 

[ruger77]

I much prefer the 28g

 

[Mungo]

I much prefer the 28g

My concern about these is that it seems very difficult to find ammunition for them.

 

[Mungo]

A 20g with 21g loads is sweet.
A 410 with 14g or more and half choke is good too. 410's are often over choked.

The 410 we have seems to have an extremely tight choke. Banana shaped pattern as well, as far as I can tell.

 

[ruger77]

My concern about these is that it seems very difficult to find ammunition for them.

Ive not had any problems finding ammunition but I do also load my own

 

[Stumpy2]

Depending on your budget and taste I would recommend a kofs over and under 20 bore, a I think they do one with a kids sized stock as well as adult sized ones. 21 gram loads to start with and once his confidence grows you can up the loads to 24 and 28 gram

 

[Heym SR20]

Plenty of 21gram loads for the 20 bore. Side by side 20 AyA is a nice little gun - my daughter has one. Glad the 410 is working out and getting used. With a 20 there is a bit more weight to handle, but given how big young mungo is suspect he can handle it - perhaps not this season but next year.

A 20 is a very capable gun - pretty much do anything that a 12 can do. Only downside of a 20 is that there are a lot of 28 and 30 gram loads. These are really 12 bore loads designed to be shot out of a 7lb over and under. They are bloody horrible in a sub 6lb side by side.

I feel a trip to Braidwood in not too distant future.

 

[Heym SR20]

The 410 we have seems to have an extremely tight choke. Banana shaped pattern as well, as far as I can tell.

410’s are usually tightly choked so as to give a dense enough shot pattern to kill cleanly. Makes them harder to shoot though.

 

[westcoast highlands]

My nephew (10 years old) has a Kofs 28 bore, with 26” multi choke barrels, we have no trouble with getting cartridges for it, from 15g—20g 6s and 7s, great little gun and will shoot everything,

 

[Foxyboy43]

Hmmm.
On a whim I bought a 20 more than 40 years ago and was stunned at just how well it handled and of increasing importance just how easy a carry it is. Only this Boxing Day I was reminded of this as I took a number of twelves from pals as we crossed a fence. It is my go-to for everything short of duck as I got it opened in both barrels when I bought it and it will do the business in style - if I do my bit.
My cartridge of choice is 24gms but it will handle 30 with ease so for the tyro I would recommend the 20 - light to carry, punches above it’s weight and ammunition freely available.
Great to hear of a young lad starting out on what I hope will be a life-time shooting passion - well done Dad!

 

[Beretta V]

As stated above a 20g is a good round and will do anything a 12 will do but if you put heavy loads through it they become horrible.
I know I started with one at 9 years old.

I have got my 10 year old son a 28g o/u and I have cartridges from 15g to 24g.

This is a junior gun, proportionate sized and an absolute dream to shoot.

Coming from experience of having to shoot a full sized 20g as a kid and struggling with it there was no way I was going to put my son through it.

Having shot 20g myself for nearly 20 years they are capable guns. I was sceptical about the 28g but it I have shot clays just as far as with my 12g.

 

[Smellydog]

The 410 we have seems to have an extremely tight choke. Banana shaped pattern as well, as far as I can tell.

Aye, I open up all my 410 shotguns. Completely transformers them in the field.

 

[sauer]

I have a browning B525 20g grade 1 I’d sell … not getting use it deserves
Not a side by side obviously but an option I guess

Paul

 

[Mungo]

I have a browning B525 20g grade 1 I’d sell … not getting use it deserves
Not a side by side obviously but an option I guess

Paul

A lovely gun but probably an order of magnitude outside our price range!

 

[Utectok]

I’ve shot 20 bores exclusively in the field for years 12 bore only for the foreshore these days.
Honestly I’ve never noticed the difference between 12b and 20b. .410 you lose quite a lot of killing range and it will become obsolete when lead is banned?

 

[Squirrelbasher]

As SD says, .410’s are usually too tight and it tends to blow the pattern, especially with 3” carts. Half choke throws a much better pattern in my experience.

 

[Smellydog]

Been out with mine today.
Love it.