Youth shotgun recommendations.

[Ken 45LC]

My son expressed an interest in going turkey hunting this spring, and since he didn’t get a deer this season I thought I’d try to get him setup for turkey. I’m faced with two major problems trying to pick out a suitable shotgun; he is small in stature so I don’t think he could handle much recoil. The second thing is that he has decreased upper/lower body strength ( he has muscular dystrophy) and needs something light weight. He had to use a shooting stick to help hold the front of his deer rifle, so I’m sure he’ll need it for a shotgun too.
I’m not a big shotgun guy, and I’ve only ever used 12ga. So should I be looking for a 20ga or 410? So far I’ve only been looking at the Henry single shot at 6.7 lbs, and I saw a Stoeger over/under at 6.9. Whats the effective range of a 410 turkey load? I’m sure it’s pretty obvious that I’m ignorant about this subject. I’m open to any and all suggestions.
Thank you for your help.

[GhostHawk]

I would say 20 ga for sure. I started out with a couple of .410's and had some very frustrating days afield until I moved up to a 20 ga pump gun.
Rem 870 wingmaster that the local sporting goods store owner cut the stock down to fit me.

If weight is an issue and for turkeys a single shot lighter weight gun should do fine. Should not need a real long barrel.
At reasonable range a load of 4's or 2's should rip a turkeys head to pieces.

Whatever you can find reasonable that will do the job.

He will either love it and learn to handle it or he won't. Either way better not to spend 500$ or up for a really good shotgun.

By the time I bought mine I was in my early 20's and bought it for myself.
I still have it, and still prefer it for slugs and deer hunting as it is shorter, lighter weight, easier to carry all day. And I have had several very good years hunting with it. Everything from ducks, geese, grouse, partridge to deer. Best I ever did was 3 deer in one year. I only tagged one, the other 2 went to other party members who did not get one that year.

[badwolf]

With tungsten super shot a 410 is good to 40 yds or more. Started my grandson at 6 with a 410 h&r, sumtoy choke and red dot tungsten #9 shot hammers turkeys. I switched to an escort youth 20ga with tungsten shot. 6 lbs and recoil less due to gas operation. They also make a 410. Mine was $300 2years ago. I've seen Charles daly 410 single shots for $200. Good luck.

[country gent]

The in between 20 and 410 is the 28 gauge and would be looking into for him. Having the length of pull fit to him would help with the recoil also. weight he can handle and recoil will be a problem. Recoil is related to gun weight.

If you could get together with a friend and have him try a 20 gauge and a 410 in different types of shotguns would also be a big help in deciding.

[725]

I'd opt for an H&R 20, 28, or a .410. I've had, at one time or another, all of those and they have been just great for what they are. Easy to shorten the stock and instal a good recoil pad and/or insert a recoil reducing mercury tube. Fit to the shooter is an important aspect. My son had a "trap shooter's" version of the 12 ga. with a full length raised rib and it was a nice gun to shoot. Time & money spent on fitting is well worth it. Altering an H&R isn't as foreboding as messing around with a higher grade shotgun, especially if the kid is going to grow over time.

[ulav8r]

Check out this link posted by Milky Duck in another thread on this forum. See what it says about geese at 70 yards with a .410.

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co.nz/f53/quality-everlasting-410-shells-63170/

[Milky Duck]

hehehehehe its funny seeing myself quoted.....I love the wee .410 as have shot so much game with them over the years...unfortunately it is now pretty much out for waterfowl as finding viable non toxic loads is a handload only proposition and plurry expensive over here.
you guys have the option to use that super stuff..go for it,keep with .410 for a year of three then switch directly to lighter 12ga loads.... a full choked .410 is VERY VERY effective gun at 25-30 yards..its all about patterning different loads till you find what works.

[poppy42]

I agree with milky duck! I’m in the process of redoing the stock and re-blueing the barrel on the first gun I bought my son, a NEF 410, for his daughter, my granddaughter. She’s 9. I will tell ya start looking for shells now! They are not always readily available. I’ve yet to see anything but tungsten Locality! Oh and 5 shells $50! Forget about 28 gauge, at least here. 20 gauge is cheaper but has more recoil. Do some research on fitting the gun to the person. It makes a difference in felt recoil if the gun fits! The first shotgun I bought 45 years ago, when I new nothing about shotguns, use to turn my shoulder black and blue! now with a proper fitting gun I can shoot all day long cause the gun fits me. Remember with a 410 you’ll have less pellets than a 12 or 20 gauge so practice is important. Also pattern the gun so you know poi. Oh and please don’t call it a 410 gauge! 410 is a bore size not a gauge lol. Sorry pet peeve of mine I can’t help it lol. Anyway hope you find so of my rambling useful! Good luck! Let us know how you make out!

[GregLaROCHE]

It would be best if you could let him try several gauges and see what he thinks. Some states let you shoot Turkeys on the ground with a rifle. Would that be an option for him?

[Ateam]

410 works fine for youth as long as the gun fits. For non toxic shot I have found the BOSS shotshell company to be a good solution for the small bores and old fixed choke guns.

https://bossshotshells.com/

My 9 year old putting the boss 3" bismuth 410 shells to work this duck season.
320887

[MrWolf]

With tungsten super shot a 410 is good to 40 yds or more. Started my grandson at 6 with a 410 h&r, sumtoy choke and red dot tungsten #9 shot hammers turkeys. I switched to an escort youth 20ga with tungsten shot. 6 lbs and recoil less due to gas operation. They also make a 410. Mine was $300 2years ago. I've seen Charles daly 410 single shots for $200. Good luck.

I was always small growing up (under 5' at 16). I used a 410 trap shooting and was pretty good. With his stature and medical issue, a 410 should be fine plus he will gain confidence with a gun he can handle vs a "shotgun" which may intimidate him more. Hope everything works out for both of you and yea I grew 1' in a year. That was fun.

[Texas by God]

I’m a fan of the 67-1/2 gauge shotgun - ever since I dared myself to dove hunt with one.
I did well with it and I’ve kept at least one .410 around since then!


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[Mk42gunner]

Find a gun and load that patterns well, then make it fit him.

I've never shot a turkey with a .410, but I distinctly remember shooting a goose with mine when I was a kid. Yes it was still legal to use lead shot for waterfowl then.

I came up over a pond dam intending to jump shoot a duck that I had seen, when the goose was right there. I put a pattern about the size of a softball (11/16 oz of #6 shot) centered in his breast and he kept flying. I decided that #6's were too light and a .410 was not a goose gun.

The problem with most of the older single shots will be stock fit, especially with heavier loads.

Good Luck,

Robert

[poppy42]

I’m a fan of the 67-1/2 gauge shotgun - ever since I dared myself to dove hunt with one.
I did well with it and I’ve kept at least one .410 around since then!


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Oh Texas by God thank you so much for referring to the 410 by its proper gauge size 67 1/2! I know it’s a little anal but every time I hear somebody calling it a 410 gauge it’s like running fingernails on a blackboard to me and it’s obvious they have no conception on how the gauge is measured. thank you so much!!!!!! Lol

[poppy42]

I’m a fan of the 67-1/2 gauge shotgun - ever since I dared myself to dove hunt with one.
I did well with it and I’ve kept at least one .410 around since then!


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Oh Texas by God thank you so much for referring to the 410 by its proper gauge size 67 1/2! I know it’s a little anal but every time I hear somebody calling it a 410 gauge it’s like running fingernails on a blackboard to me and it’s obvious they have no conception on how the gauge is measured. thank you so much!!!!!! Lol

[Milky Duck]

and be aware there are some really BAD shells out there..rio make a 2 1/2" that has 7/16th of an oz..its a pitiful payload..... some guns prefer different shot sizes to a huge degree...all Ive ever used like #4 and hate #7 and by far our best results is with mixed sizes in shell a few small8-9s majority 4-5 and a few big #3 just cause can...and its really easy to make sure shell is full properly by adding a couple of larger shot.
if its made by winchester it will be great....gamebore not bad fiocci make a good magnum load of #6s
winchester make a target load of #9s in 2 1/2" under 30 yards..actually make that 20 yards it might be ideal....full choke is your friend.

[Shawlerbrook]

My wife is only about 5’1” and a little over a 100# and has taken a few birds with her NEF Pardner 20 ga full choke that I cut the stock to fit her. She shoots 3” but if the recoil is too much 2 3/4” will do.

[Ken 45LC]

Thanks everyone for all the replies, I’ve been learning a lot. My neighbor just mentioned that he has a 410 that my son can try, I just have to find shells for him to shoot. I didn’t realize they were so scarce. I might as well try to find 20ga as well. A friend thinks he has an old 20ga single shot H&R that he could try just to see if he can handle that recoil.
Does anyone shoot a semi in either 410 or 20ga? I was trying to think of ways to cut recoil since he would need a light gun. I appreciate the recommendations on shotguns that you use, please keep them coming.
Thank you,
Ken

[Shawlerbrook]

If the only thing he can handle is a 410 then go for it, but you would have to have very close shots with very little margin for error. A 20 ga would be best. Start out with 2 3/4” target loads in 4’s or 5’s. If he can handle the recoil move up eventually to 3”. I would think that most semi autos might be too heavy for the lad.

[Duckiller]

I am old and don't like recoil. I recently got a Pointer 28ga over and under with screw in chokes. It is light to carry and has light recoil. The down side is ammo is expensive.

[Texas by God]

A good recoil pad helps as he won’t be concentrating on the recoil.
Limbsaver slip on works great.
I have a youth model Maverick 88 20 gauge and like it very much. You might check those out.


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[Minerat]

I have a older 1950's Browning A-5 in 20ga that uses 3" . Not much recoil with 2-3/4" number 4 or 5 shot. My grandson started shooting it when he was 10 years old. Kind of a small kid then but never complained shooting game loads. It will get late season pheasant out to 40 yds no problem. Never used it on turkey. I'd only consider a semi auto in 20 or above. Even a single shot 20 can be unpleasant to a small guy or gal.

[dverna]

410 is expensive to purchase, has few loads, and can be difficult to source. Hulls are $15/100 and reloading them can be challenging.

20 ga can be loaded down if desired, and hulls are cheap or free. It is an easy hull to reload. There are 3/4 oz loads all the way up to 1 1/4 oz. Your son will be able to get cheaper practice with tge 20 ga.

I like the 28 ga, but hulls are expensive and there are fewer guns in that gauge.

IMO, the 20 ga is the best choice.

[MostlyLeverGuns]

Mossberg makes a 'Bantam' line of shotguns, based on the Mossberg 500. Shorter barrels and shortened stocks with spacers. Come in 20 Ga and .410. I would try a 20GA with the Boss Shotguns(internet direct, the 410 can work with some of the high tech shells, but the 410 shells are $5-7 each. I have both a 410 and 20Ga Bantam, the 410 is a little lighter but the 20Ga has much wider variety of shells available at a much lower cost. Very light 3/4 oz loads can be loaded for the 20Ga with no more recoil than the 410's available.

[jimb16]

ATI has O/U shotguns in both 67 ga. and 20 ga. both with choke tubes. Both are reasonably priced and either will do the job. HOWEVER; as an instructor with 37 years of experience, I recommend the 20. You can start him off with light loads and as he progresses, you can go to heavier loads. The reason I don't care for the 67 is that the payload is so small that it can be unforgiving of even small errors. I shoot skeet with an O/U .410 so I have no problems using one, but for a young shooter, it can be more challenging than necessary. It hits just as hard as a 12 ga. just with a much smaller pattern. If he can handle the 20, it gives him a much higher chance of success.

[BLAHUT]

20 ga..... put some lead in the stock ? Or a Breako mercury system in it.....

[Ken 45LC]

I went down to the farmhouse and mentioned to my father what I was looking for, here he had an old 20ga single shot with a variety of old shells. Heck some of the shells are cardboard I believe. I’ll shoot it first to make sure it holds together, and if it does and the recoil is descent I’ll let my son shoot it to see if he can handle it. It’s been my experience that these single shot shotguns and rifles can kick fairly hard. I don’t know if it’s the angle or what, but some of them are punishing.
At least I still have a few months to figure out what to get him. But finding out what he can handle will be a huge help in narrowing down which gun.
Thanks for all the help.

[ulav8r]

Many of the older single shots had excessive drop which combined with their light weight made for excessive recoil experiences. The same weight gun with less drop will have the recoil but the recoil will mainly be backwards. A stock with greater drop will cause the muzzle to come higher and the stock comb will hit the cheek harder and make the overall recoil seem greater.