For young shooters interested in trap and skeet, the 20-gauge shotgun is often the ideal starting point. With less recoil than a 12-gauge but enough power for competitive shooting, the 20-gauge offers a perfect balance for youth shooters. This guide explores the key considerations when choosing a 20-gauge shotgun for youth trap and skeet, provides recommendations for different age groups, and discusses how to manage recoil and improve performance.
Age Categories for Youth Shooters
When selecting a 20-gauge shotgun for a young shooter, it's important to consider the shooter’s size, strength, and experience level. Here’s how age and size may affect your choice:
Ages 10-13 (Younger Youth Shooters)
Considerations: At this age, shooters often benefit from compact and lightweight shotguns that are easier to handle. Reduced recoil is especially important to help young shooters focus on learning the fundamentals without being intimidated by the gun's kick.
Barrel Length: A shorter barrel (24-26 inches) will make the shotgun easier to maneuver and keep the weight down.
Stock: An adjustable or youth-sized stock ensures the shotgun fits smaller shooters more comfortably.
Recommended Model:
Mossberg 500 Youth Super Bantam: This pump-action shotgun features a short barrel, youth stock, and adjustable length of pull, making it a great choice for smaller, younger shooters.
Ages 14-17 (Older Youth Shooters)
Considerations: As shooters get older and more experienced, they can typically handle a heavier shotgun with longer barrels. Older teens may benefit from shotguns that more closely resemble the models used by adults, while still maintaining manageable recoil and weight.
Barrel Length: A barrel length of 26-28 inches provides more accuracy for trap and skeet without adding excessive weight.
Stock: Full-size stocks or adjustable stocks help accommodate growth while maintaining proper fit.
Recommended Model:
Remington 870 Express Compact Jr.: This shotgun is lightweight and versatile, with a compact build and manageable recoil, making it a great transitional option for older youth shooters.
Key Features to Consider for Youth 20-Gauge Shotguns
Weight
For youth shooters, shotgun weight plays a critical role in reducing fatigue and ensuring comfortable handling during extended shooting sessions. A lightweight shotgun is easier to hold steady and allows for better control when transitioning between trap and skeet stations.
Ideal Weight for Youth: Shotguns weighing between 5.5 and 6.5 pounds are ideal for most youth shooters, as they provide enough stability without causing fatigue.
Example:
Weatherby SA-08 Youth: Weighing just 6 pounds, this semi-auto shotgun is designed to offer easy handling and reduced recoil for youth shooters.
Recoil Management
One of the main advantages of the 20-gauge over the 12-gauge is its reduced recoil, but it’s still important to consider additional recoil management features that can help young shooters stay comfortable and focused.
Recoil Pads: A well-padded stock with a built-in recoil pad can significantly reduce felt recoil, which is particularly important for younger shooters.
Semi-Auto Action: Semi-automatic shotguns naturally absorb more recoil than pump-action models, making them a great choice for those who are sensitive to recoil.
Example:
Beretta A300 Outlander: This semi-auto shotgun is known for its soft recoil and smooth cycling, making it an excellent choice for older youth shooters.
Adjustable Stock
As youth shooters grow, having an adjustable stock or a shotgun designed specifically for youth can make a big difference in comfort and performance. Adjustable length of pull, comb height, and cast help customize the fit, which can improve accuracy and shooting comfort.
Example:
TriStar Viper G2 Youth: This semi-auto shotgun features an adjustable stock and gas-operated action to reduce recoil, making it suitable for young shooters with room to grow.
Trap and Skeet-Specific Features
Barrel Length
Trap Shooting: In trap shooting, longer barrels (26-28 inches) are preferred to provide better balance and smoother tracking for targets moving away from the shooter.
Skeet Shooting: For skeet shooting, shorter barrels (24-26 inches) allow for quicker target acquisition and improved maneuverability for crossing targets.
Example:
Browning Silver Field Micro Midas: With a 26-inch barrel and a compact, youth-friendly design, this semi-auto shotgun offers excellent versatility for both trap and skeet.
Choke System
Interchangeable choke tubes allow shooters to adjust the shot pattern, which is important for switching between trap and skeet.
Trap Shooting: Modified or full chokes provide a tighter shot pattern for longer-range trap targets.
Skeet Shooting: Improved cylinder or skeet chokes produce wider shot patterns, making them ideal for hitting closer, crossing targets.
Example:
Benelli Montefeltro Youth: Known for its lightweight design and interchangeable choke system, this semi-auto shotgun offers great versatility for young shooters learning both trap and skeet.
Top Recommendations for 20-Gauge Youth Shotguns
Here are some of the best 20-gauge shotguns designed specifically for youth shooters who are learning trap and skeet:
Mossberg 500 Youth Super Bantam
Best Use: Younger Youth Shooters (Ages 10-13)
Features: Short barrel, adjustable stock, and lightweight design.
Why It’s Great: The Super Bantam is an excellent starter shotgun for young shooters due to its adjustability and ease of use.
Remington 870 Express Compact Jr.
Best Use: Older Youth Shooters (Ages 14-17)
Features: Lightweight build, shorter barrel, and manageable recoil.
Why It’s Great: This versatile pump-action shotgun helps older youth shooters transition to adult-sized models while maintaining a manageable weight and recoil.
TriStar Viper G2 Youth
Best Use: Both Trap and Skeet for Older Youth Shooters
Features: Adjustable stock, semi-auto action, and lightweight design.
Why It’s Great: With its recoil-absorbing semi-auto action and adjustable stock, the Viper G2 Youth is perfect for older teens ready to advance their trap and skeet skills.
Beretta A300 Outlander
Best Use: Both Trap and Skeet for All Ages
Features: Semi-auto action, soft recoil, and versatile design.
Why It’s Great: This shotgun is suitable for both younger and older youth shooters due to its reliable performance and reduced recoil, making it easy to handle for extended shooting sessions.
Selecting the right 20-gauge shotgun for youth shooters involves balancing weight, recoil management, and overall fit. By choosing a shotgun with the right features for trap and skeet, young shooters can develop their skills with confidence and comfort. Whether starting with a compact model like the Mossberg 500 Super Bantam or moving up to the more advanced Beretta A300 Outlander, a well-chosen 20-gauge shotgun can provide years of enjoyment and learning.
Looking for the perfect 20-gauge shotgun for your young shooter? We can get top models from Mossberg, Remington, Beretta, and more. Explore what we've had inquiries on here and text to let us know about any make and model you may be interested in regardless of whether it's listed.
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