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20 gauge vs 410
- Thread Starter Juany
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I'd go with a 20 gauge...
Easier to find guns and ammo in that gauge.
Ammo is a bit cheaper than .410 as well.
Plus you get a bit more in the pellet department for game or clay birds.
( Bias...the 20 gauge is my favorite...
)
Recoil isn't bad if the gun fits...a poor fitting gun will have more felt recoil than a proper fitting gun.
That said...something to keep in mind here...
Some of the single shot 20 gauge shotguns are light..as in 5 - 5 1/2 pounds...and anything but a light trap or light field load can be stout in the recoil department.
Andy
Easier to find guns and ammo in that gauge.
Ammo is a bit cheaper than .410 as well.
Plus you get a bit more in the pellet department for game or clay birds.
( Bias...the 20 gauge is my favorite...
)Recoil isn't bad if the gun fits...a poor fitting gun will have more felt recoil than a proper fitting gun.
That said...something to keep in mind here...
Some of the single shot 20 gauge shotguns are light..as in 5 - 5 1/2 pounds...and anything but a light trap or light field load can be stout in the recoil department.
Andy
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Seems like non-toxic .410 might be spendy and short on power.
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Waterfowl requires non-toxic shot. .410 non-toxic shells are very expensive. You will flinch every time your kid pulls the trigger.
.410's are also very difficult to hit a flying target with. The NSSA skeet classification tables reflect this. Effective ranges are shorter and effective pattern diameters are smaller because they just don't have enough shot in the shell. For bird hunting its more of an experts gun than a beginners gun.
As others have said, a 20ga is a better choice. There are low recoil shells (3/4 oz) available for clay target practice that are very easy on the shoulder as well as a wider and cheaper array of duck loads. 20 ga Target Shells For Sale - 2-3/4" 3/4 oz Low Recoil Target Shell Ammunition by Fiocchi
.410's are also very difficult to hit a flying target with. The NSSA skeet classification tables reflect this. Effective ranges are shorter and effective pattern diameters are smaller because they just don't have enough shot in the shell. For bird hunting its more of an experts gun than a beginners gun.
As others have said, a 20ga is a better choice. There are low recoil shells (3/4 oz) available for clay target practice that are very easy on the shoulder as well as a wider and cheaper array of duck loads. 20 ga Target Shells For Sale - 2-3/4" 3/4 oz Low Recoil Target Shell Ammunition by Fiocchi
I agree with 20 over 410 also. 410s can have more recoil than many expect, plus the reduced downrange effectiveness.
Another thought to consider: 12 gauge. The Mossberg 500 Youth Bantam line includes a 12 gauge and the availability of reduced recoil shells is good. The downside is that the gun is a bit heavier, so may be difficult to control the forearm with the outstretched hand. You'd have to try it. If it worked, the opportunities to grow with the gun are increased. Regardless, the Mossberg Youth Bantam line has a lot of good options.
Another thought to consider: 12 gauge. The Mossberg 500 Youth Bantam line includes a 12 gauge and the availability of reduced recoil shells is good. The downside is that the gun is a bit heavier, so may be difficult to control the forearm with the outstretched hand. You'd have to try it. If it worked, the opportunities to grow with the gun are increased. Regardless, the Mossberg Youth Bantam line has a lot of good options.
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I'm on the side of the 20g because that is what my father got me when I was twelve. Apparently, the .410's best use was that of a club, or so I was told.
Edit: as a matter of full disclosure, my grandmother's favorite squirrel gun of choice in O.K. was a .410
Edit: as a matter of full disclosure, my grandmother's favorite squirrel gun of choice in O.K. was a .410
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20ga for the win!!
Longtime duck, pheasant, and upland bird hunter.
When trying to hit moving targets, there is a "shot string". This exists because not all the shot comes out of the shell at the same time. The shot string of a .410 is much more strung out than a 20ga due to the length of the shells, and has MUCH LESS shot in the string, thereby leading to ducks escaping due to not leading the bird enough, or gaping holes in the shot string as the distance increases.
A 20ga, rather than being a specialty gun that is good for squirrels or sitting wabbits, or as a club, can easily be used for grouse, hungarian partridge, quail, pheasant in close with a dog, or ducks over decoys.
A 20ga is my preferred upland bird gun. I owned two o/u and one SxS in 20ga. But for recoil mgt I would second the suggestion of a quality autoloader. Esp if used in a duck blind/boat where the kid doesn't have to carry the extra weight all morning/afternoon. Dad can always pack it out to the duck blind, right?
Longtime duck, pheasant, and upland bird hunter.
When trying to hit moving targets, there is a "shot string". This exists because not all the shot comes out of the shell at the same time. The shot string of a .410 is much more strung out than a 20ga due to the length of the shells, and has MUCH LESS shot in the string, thereby leading to ducks escaping due to not leading the bird enough, or gaping holes in the shot string as the distance increases.
A 20ga, rather than being a specialty gun that is good for squirrels or sitting wabbits, or as a club, can easily be used for grouse, hungarian partridge, quail, pheasant in close with a dog, or ducks over decoys.
A 20ga is my preferred upland bird gun. I owned two o/u and one SxS in 20ga. But for recoil mgt I would second the suggestion of a quality autoloader. Esp if used in a duck blind/boat where the kid doesn't have to carry the extra weight all morning/afternoon. Dad can always pack it out to the duck blind, right?
When I first read this I thought gas guns might be too heavy for younger kids, but I was wrong. I see that the Weatherby SA-08 Compact in 20 gauge and the Mossberg SA-20 Bantam in 20 gauge are both under 6 pounds (the Remington 11-87 also fits the bill, but is a little heavier). And either could be had for less than $500. Not bad options.
If someone wants to loan me a .410 to kill a turkey with next season, I'll have an opinion to offer. Done it with a 20ga once and a 12ga many times. Couldn't tell you the difference in the kill, but the recoil was obvious. I like lots of pellets.
BUT if I were just shooting for grins and giggles and I were a 9 year old boy, a .410 would get the job done, I'm sure.
BUT if I were just shooting for grins and giggles and I were a 9 year old boy, a .410 would get the job done, I'm sure.
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Most people don't shoot clays with a .410 and not just because of cost
It is a heck of a lot harder to hit what your aiming for
It is a heck of a lot harder to hit what your aiming for
OK. Duck hunting can be grins and giggles too. OP was talking about duck hunting... we don wanna be wounding cute lil duckies!! Clean kills please...
IMO .410 is only good for sitting game, not moving game, for the reason I mentioned. Clays... almost impossible unless the clay is sitting on the ground.
BTW, turkey is a sitting target, so it wouldn't apply to duck hunting. Unless you are a "ground sluicer" of ducks sitting on the water.
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So, in this case I'll serve as the gadfly. 16 gage...
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To paraphrase CPL. Hicks in Aliens...
20 gauge flintlock fowler....Its the only way to be sure...
Andy
20 gauge flintlock fowler....Its the only way to be sure...
Andy
