Youth Shotgun for Deer??? Help.

Redcoat3340 · Aug 3, 2021

My grandson will be hunting for the first time this fall. He's 10 and, of course, quite the clever kid! (He's been out with his dad "spotting" the last two years and he's eager now that he can hunt.)

His dad is thinking a 20 gauge youth sized shotgun for slugs. I haven't hunted deer in a long time, and when I did it was with long guns (mostly .30-06).

He's also thinking mounting a scope if possible or having at least a type of rear sight.

I know zip about shotguns (pistols, revolvers, and rifles, yes, shotguns, no).

So what would folks recommend...is 20 gauge enough? Single shot or pump? Sights or scopes?

And brand and or model, new or used, and anything else I'm not clever enough to ask.

My other grandson got his first buck at 10 a couple of three years ago, but he was hunting rifle. Both dads get their bucks each year and they both hunt black powder and rife, one boy also bow-hunts. They get their does if they have a tag, but elk (we're in the Pacific Northwest) have eluded both my boys. Someday. We all hope.

troy fairweather · Aug 3, 2021

A 20ga slug will kill any deer on earth, I'd look for a older pump gun like a Mossberg 500. Rifled barrels are available and easy to change, there's some nice shotgun scopes.

Armored farmer · Aug 3, 2021

My suggestion is a savage 220. Its a bolt action rifle that shoots shotgun slugs. Two of my boys have them. Both in 20ga. They are tack drivers. Your grandson would be set for life.
I dont know if they make a youth model, but speaking from experience....those kids grow up fast. He may have to stretch for a couple of years...then it will be fine from then on.
Get the good gun, the good scope, help him sight in......he's 85% of the way to tagging a deer this year.

Here is a pic of one of my boys savage 220 next to my H&R.

troy fairweather · Aug 3, 2021

Armored farmer said:
My suggestion is a savage 220. Its a bolt action rifle that shoots shotgun slugs. Two of my boys have them. Both in 20ga. They are tack drivers. Your grandson would be set for life.
I dont know if they make a youth model, but speaking from experience....those kids grow up fast. He may have to stretch for a couple of years...then it will be fine from then on.
Get the good gun, the good scope, help him sight in......he's 85% of the way to tagging a deer this year.

Here is a pic of one of my boys savage 220 next to my H&R.View attachment 1015694

I Totally forgot about the savage, so ya if I had to use a shotty that would be it.

bassjam · Aug 3, 2021

A lot depends on what range he intends to hunt at. For 70 yards and under a smooth bore and rifled slug are plenty like a Mossberg 500, and the ammo is much cheaper than sabots. Maybe even a gas gun to help with recoil, a 20 ga slug still kicks pretty good.

If you go out further though, the Savage 220 isn't a bad idea. Everyone I've talked to who has one says they flat out shoot.

Howland937 · Aug 3, 2021

If he doesn't own a shotgun and it may see use for other things besides slug hunting, I'd go for the 500 youth 20ga combo.
I've killed a bunch of deer with a 20ga smooth bore slug barreled 500 youth model. Mostly on drives, where I was walking a lot and opted for lighter weight, but also all within 60 yards +/- ... Deer didn't know the difference.
If it's to be a dedicated deer gun, then the 220 is a great option.

Armored farmer · Aug 3, 2021

Choose wisely.
The savage is the cream of the slug guns, but it is worthless for shotshells.

Some of the combo guns are a better choice if upland hunting is on the agenda. Or clay pigeons..

Hugger-4641 · Aug 3, 2021

A lot depends on the boy. If he can handle the recoil, a single shot 20ga is all he needs. I killed several deer with one in my youth as well as with 12ga slugs. My cousin couldn't handle the recoil and he hunted with a .410. and then moved to a. 243 and still hunts with a .270. My grandson is only 7, but in a year or two my plan is for him to start with the Stevens 20ga single I bought for him, then the Maverick 20ga pump, and by then he may be ready to move right up to 30-30.

bassjam · Aug 5, 2021

Hugger-4641 said:
A lot depends on the boy. If he can handle the recoil, a single shot 20ga is all he needs. I killed several deer with one in my youth as well as with 12ga slugs. My cousin couldn't handle the recoil and he hunted with a .410. and then moved to a. 243 and still hunts with a .270. My grandson is only 7, but in a year or two my plan is for him to start with the Stevens 20ga single I bought for him, then the Maverick 20ga pump, and by then he may be ready to move right up to 30-30.

Even as an adult a slug out of a singleshot kicks! I might not notice it while hunting, but as someone who believes in a lot of practice before shooing at an animal there's no way I'd do that to a 10 year old.

Hugger-4641 · Aug 5, 2021

bassjam said:
Even as an adult a slug out of a singleshot kicks! I might not notice it while hunting, but as someone who believes in a lot of practice before shooing at an animal there's no way I'd do that to a 10 year old.

Like I said, a lot depends on the boy, or the adult for that matter. I started with a sears and roebuck double 12ga. I wasn't superman, just a typical 7 year old. If dead set on a 20ga, then a heavier pump might be better and a slip on recoil pad will help either way, even if it already has a pad on the stock.

somethingbenign · Aug 5, 2021

I'd definitely recommend the Mossberg 500 combo or really any shotgun that has both a rifled and smoothbore barrel with removable chokes. The benefit of the Mossberg is it is so common getting a longer or shorter stock for it as needed will be much easier than say a Browning BPS. It will allow the boy to chase whatever game that catches his attention for the rest of his life or until he wants a more dedicated setup. I can't imagine a more versatile gun.

somethingbenign · Aug 5, 2021

Wanted to add that a pump gun is definitely a good idea. While a single shot is definitely fun not having a follow up shot can be very frustrating especially for wing shooting. Give the kid some advantages while he learns the ropes. Since I mentioned the Browning BPS it might be worth a look if the boy shoots left handed. The gun ejects straight down and is truly an ambidextrous gun. My wife uses one for her shotgun hunting since she is left eye dominant. The aftermarket isn't as good as the Mossberg but it may be easier than trying to find a left handed 500 depending on what is available in your area.

d2wing · Aug 6, 2021

I had a Mossberg 20 guage with a cut down stock for that. I also like red dot sights on slug guns. If legal I would use a centerfire. Single shots do kick hard.

EMC45 · Aug 6, 2021

I would say an older Express 870 20ga with Remchokes. I bought my wife one years ago and I shoot it frequently. I have put Remington Slugger foster style slugs through the IC choke and can make them touch off a bag at 50y. Recoil is manageable and has been said, they will slam any deer that walks North America with a well placed shot.

My barrel is a bead sight barrel as well. You can get the clamp on adjustable Williams fire sight sets that have a front fiber optic and a rear 2 dot fiber optic that clamp to the vent rib.

EMC45 · Aug 7, 2021

I moved groups up and they were centered.

I wish my Lyman handcast slugs and hand loads shot this well!

GooseGestapo · Aug 8, 2021

I’ve got a Savage M220. Everything said here is correct.
I’ve used the Federal 3/4oz Sabot slugs. (their economy version of sabot slug(. Effective to 100yds plus.
The Remington AeroTip slugs are far away the finest, but a $3+ each aren’t for practice or plinking.

Three decades of off-on testing by trial and error (mostly ERROR) has lead me to my final iteration of home loaded slugs:

I use the Lee .590” REAL bullet in a 7/8oz wad with a filler to raise slug tip to even with top of wad. I then place filler (corn grits, cream-of-wheat, fine ground corn cob) to cover top of slug / top of wad. ( important as it keeps forward lips of wad against the bore and force’s wad to peel open evenly exiting the bore.
12.5gr of GreenDot yields a 1,000fps subsonic load that is tack driving accurate. 17.5gr of LongShot near duplicates the Federal load (1,300fps) and is nearly as accurate.

50yd group with GreenDot load. Fired from Savage M220

red rick · Aug 8, 2021

At 10 years old LOP , weight and recoil are going to be a big factor . I have a savage 220 and I MO it will be to long for him and that is going to bump up the recoil and it does have a stout recoil . I would try to find a youth gas shotgun . Buckshot if legal also gets the job done at 40 yards . That is mostly what I use . A youth model muzzleloader might be a good option also if legal . I would be worried about putting a scope on a shotgun because of the recoil at his age .

welldoya · Aug 11, 2021

At age 7 I bought my son a H&R Pardner youth model .410. A couple of years later he moved up to a Remington 1100 youth model 20 gauge with screw-in chokes. He used it for quail, doves and squirrels.
When he wanted to hunt deer I got him a Remington Model 7 youth in 7mm/08. Fit him perfectly.

armedwalleye · Aug 12, 2021

I took the advice of Armored Farmer in post #3. Although mine is left handed, and black, it's still the 220 with a scope. I bought a Vortex Diamondback in the 3-9 flavor. After doing my own research on the ballistics, the Remington 3" Accutip appear to be the slugs this gun was designed for, or vice versa. a 20 ga seems to do everything a 12 ga can do at reasonable distances, and, over longer distance, appears to be ballistically superior to the shorter wider 12 ga slug. FINDING the darn things is the greater issue, but, rest assured, a 20 ga is plenty enough for whitetails.

jmr40 · Aug 12, 2021

Unless limited to a shotgun by law I'd be looking for a low recoiling rifle in 243, 6.5CM or 7-08. Any of those 3 will recoil less than a 20 ga with slugs and be more accurate. Not that a 20 ga won't do the job, but a shotgun seems an odd choice unless mandated by law.

Youth Shotgun for Deer??? Help.

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