20" barrel is pretty short for shooting buckshot, your pattern will be so spread out by the time it gets out there 20 yrds. Being such a short barrel you'll find that you can shoot slugs accruately up to 100 yrds. Now that brings up another question, why buy a shot gun for shooting slugs when you can get a rifle? I don't know what rifle your looking at for $1000.00 but you can go down to the pawn shop and pick up a rifle for 2 to $300.00. Another good thing about the 870 is you can always change out barrels if you want to go turkey or duck hunting, in which you will need a longer barrel to reach out and get them. Good luck, Bobby