Grandkids Gun

[Hook]

I've got 5 grand kids coming alone. I want to instill in them the love of hunting...particullary turkey hunting. One is left handed and 3 are right handed and the one on the way is yet to be known. My delimma, should I go ahead and buy an ambedexterous 20 mag....OR use my old Stevens 16 gauge single barrel, until ther grow into a 12 gauge?
WHICH HAS BETTER KNOCK DOWN CAPABILITIES? WHICH HAS THE MOST RECOIL?
No. Buying 5 or even 2 is not an option.
Thanks in advance
Hook

[barefoot]

On one hand, the 16 would put more shot downrange, but ammo is much harder to find. I think it would be good to teach them that they need to make the first shot count, and the 16 single shot would do just that. But, on the other hand, the 20 ga ammo is readily available and in more loads. The 20 is a magnum, so the shot # differential is probably negated. You can teach the first shot thing. The recoil between a 16 and a magnum 20 is about the same. You might also want follow-up shots in deer, duck, rabbit, squirrel, or dove hunting. So, all things considered, I think I'd go with the 20.

[Shawn Perkins]

id go with the 20

[kingvjack]

Id get a single shot 20 guage... they can be both left and right handed.. New England firearms makes a 3 inch single shot you can get for 80 bucks.

[Shawn Perkins]

can you put a choke in them though?

[kingvjack]

ORIGINAL: Shawn Perkins

can you put a choke in them though?

No its a built in modified, and that does reduce your range... are you expecting these kids first time out to actually get a bird close enough to kill with a 20 anyways? This is my old one that I'm saving for my kiddo... It'll kill anything that walks in front of it

[wis_rifle_hunter]

I would go with 20.

[halfrack VIII]

i would go with kingvjack's idea about the new england singleshot i learned on the same gun in 410

[gmil6184]

get a youth model 870 in 20 gauge. It is the perfect starter gun for kids. You can use it to take anything from rabbits to deer, its rugged, easy to clean, and reliable. If you want to make sure they understand the importance of making one shot count you can always just give them one shell at a time. As far as the difference between the 20 and the 16 as far as power and recoil, its pretty much negligible. The 20 gauge has been vastly improved over the years and the 16 gauge has been largely forgotten by the outdoor industry. 20 gauge shells are much easier to find and will likely be less expensive then 16 gauge shells as well. An 870 is fairly inexpensive too, you can get a brand new one for between 200-300 bucks, and you could probably even find a used one for even less. I know you said the one little guy is left handed, but for learning purposes he could shoot a right handed 870, or you could give him the single shot 16 you already have. Anyways, have fun teaching those guys hunting and shooting, i'm sure it will be a rewarding experience!

[Shawn Perkins]

yes my friend has the youth 870..its nice for the money