Recoil...20 gauge vs. 12...my take

[Grunt]

Ok, so I grew up shooting nothing but 12 gauges and 12 gauges only. Recently I got my son a Remington 870 in 20 gauge for him to grow into when he's old enough to handle one. Now I did want to take it out and test fire it for function as well as see how it would pattern with some #3 buck as well. During lunch today while our class was off the range, I fired a few rounds through it as well as a few rounds through my Mossberg 590 firing 00 buck. The 20 gauge was Federal 2 3/4" #3 buck with 20 pellets. The 12 gauge loads were Federal 2 3/4" 00 buck with 12 pellets. Mossberg is listed as weighing about a half pound heavier than the Remington although the numbers escape me at the moment. What I found was what I expected, the 12 gauge had a little more recoil to it than the 20 gauge. However, (probably due to the lighter weight of the Remington) the 20 gauge had a more snappy recoil than the heavier 12 gauge that was more of a heavier shove. I guess you could say that in the handgun world, if the 12 gauge was a .45 ACP, the 20 gauge level of recoil would have been similar to that of a .40S&W round would be a good comparison. A little heavier recoil than I was expecting from the 20 gauge but I would think that if all else was equal, the 20 gauge would have a lot less recoil than the 12 gauge. Sure things could have been different depending on the loads (trap loads, reduced recoil loads, slugs, etc.) but I wanted to stick with a round that is a common defensive round with respect to their gauges. Well, if nothing else, it's good to now know what my boy can expect when he's ready to start shooting.

 

[ArmedBear]

if all else was equal

It's not.

The 20 Gauge 870 is a good deal lighter than the 12 Gauge version.

 

[MCgunner]

It certainly depends on the platform. The H&R I thought would make a good 20 gauge beginner for my daughter turned out to have more recoil than my Winchester 1400 gas gun in 12 gauge which is the gun I started her on clays with. That little H&R weighs MAYBE 5 lbs, maybe. LOL The gas gun is sweet for a 12, really light on the shoulder, no need for any sort of recoil pad even with heavy steel shot waterfowl loads.

 

[gorthaur25]

In my experience especially teaching people to shoot shotguns it is more important to get a gun that fits them well and they can handle properly rather than worrying quite so much about gauge. For example I have been teaching my girlfriend to shoot shotguns and the guns she shoots best are my brothers 870 youth 20 gauge and my 590 12 gauge. What she can't handle is my 20 gauge 500 with a full size stock and 26" barrel. The 500 is to big and long and she has a hard time keeping the muzzle up without leaning back. With the 590 which has a slightly shorter stock an much shorter barrel she is able to set her feet well and get the gun tight into her shoulder and she absorbs the recoil well. A smaller gauge is not any better if the gun does not fit the shooter.

 

[Virginian]

I agree gorthaur25. Also, don't try to start them out holding the gun up for a long time aiming. Throw it up, shoot, and drop it. As soon as they start to feel the strain they start that backward lean, and it's hard to break.

 

[oneounceload]

It is easier to teach someone to shoot with a stock that is too short versus one that is too long. That being said, a stock that FITS is the best way. For young shooters, where I used to live, we supplied 28 gauge guns, NOT 410's.

A heavy gun, if properly balanced can be much easier to swing than a gun that is not - leading to more success on clays or birds

 

[Youngster]

The standard 9 pellet 00 12 gauge load is the lightest buck load available other than reduced recoil stuff, while 20 pellet #2 buck in 20 gauge is a heavy load for the gauge and throws almost as much lead as the above.

I know the OP was trying to compare the most commonly used buck loads in each gauge but if you loaded the 12 gauge with a 27 pellet #4 buck, 12 pellet 0 buck , 8 pellet 000 or especially a 16 pellet #1 buck load, there'd be a noticable difference.

 

[oneounceload]

I know the OP was trying to compare the most commonly used buck loads in each gauge but if you loaded the 12 gauge with a 27 pellet #4 buck, 12 pellet 0 buck , 8 pellet 000 or especially a 16 pellet #1 buck load, there'd be a noticable difference.

IF the payloads and velocities are the same, then the recoil will be also. If one load is faster or heavier, then results will be different

 

[Daniel]

You know, it'd be good if the single shots, in addition to the repeaters, were heavier than what they are.

It just boggles the mind that they make small and light 20 gauge shotguns and market them for "small" or "recoil sensitive" people, when in fact they actually have a similar level of recoil to a 12 gauge due to the prior 20's lesser weight.

I do agree that the buckshot loads tested were on the extremes of the two bores, but still.... A 5 pound 20 is just...silly (which H&R make. The Tamer is a little better at 6).

My little 12 coach gun at 6.5 pounds puts out about 30 to 35 pounds of recoil with run-of-the-mill slugs, which is in the "Magnum" rifle class. It bruises.

 

[oneounceload]

Daniel - that would depend on the usage. I have seen and shot many fine 20 gauge double guns meant for bird hunting that weigh 6# or less - some as low as 5.25. They are a joy to carry all day while chasing wiley grouse, chukar, quail, etc. With hunting clothing on, the few shots taken with those mild loads aren't that bad, even on an old man like me. It's when something made for that gets turned into a HD weapon and is now firing heavy buckshot or slugs where the real pain comes from.

If all I had was one of those single shots and I was determined to use buckshot, I would be adding lead weight in the butt stock and lead tape under the forearm or a barrel weight to add at least 1-2 pounds if I could

 

[Blue Line]

all ammo considerations the same, I believe that a gas operated gun has less recoil than a single shot or pump.