RE: 20 gauge too big?
 

Your 20 shoud be fine for you. When I was your age I was a lot lighter and I shot a 12 ga SxS with double triggers. And being lefty, I sometimes shot off both barrels and occasionally had to pick myself back up off my butt - seriously.
For practicing, stick with the light loads. You can use the heavier loads for hunting and honestly you won't feel the recoil too much.

RE: 20 gauge too big?
 

My son started shooting my 12 gauge at 10 years old. He was a good size kid but not a giant and he handled the recoil just fine with 2 3/4" shells. Can you find someone who will let you shoot a 20-16 and 12 gauge before you buy?

RE: 20 gauge too big?
 

Funny storey about a .410 and how it was the worst shoulder busting I've had before or since . The gun was just plain to short for me and in the heat of a rabbit hunt I swung it around a bout an inch or so off my shoulder in a tee shirt . BAM black and blue from my collar bones to at least my arm pit .

I would suggest that a 20 would be an excelent choice .

My kids all started off with a 20at the range but hunted with 12s all along . they are of slight build my youngest is the brute at 5'7" 135 his "big " sister whom hunted alot untill joining the Navy is 5'10" and just 135 the oldest of the bunch6'2" 155 .

the deal is just to pick your loads wisely and don't jump into the uber mags .I've killed geese just fine at 40 yards with a 1oz 2 3/4 inch shell and is all I shoot these days .

RE: 20 gauge too big?
 

Your 14 Get a 12 Gaugeim 13 going on 14 in september i been shooting my uncles beneli with 3 inch loads since i was 11 man im 5'5 and 130 u should be able to at least handle a 12 gauge with 2 3/4 loads and then when u get use to it go to the 3 inch loads......Or if that dont work out im sure u wont have any problem shooting the 20 gauge with 2 3/4 is has about as much kick as a 270 win and with the 3 inch loads man they kick like a 12 gauge with 2 3/4 loads.......No problems

RE: 20 gauge too big?
 

20ga is perfect.....and kind of your only option really, you can get a 28ga or a 410 but those really step down in power....

May consider a semi-auto.......if kick worries you, not certain but I would suspect semi-auto's kick less? also just use lighter loads in a 20ga 2 3/4" etc....

20ga is more versatile than a 28 or 410 IMO too, so probably a better start.

Can always consider a 28ga, though I think performance it is very close to a 410, not sure which ammo costs more either, I know both are more than 20ga......

RE: 20 gauge too big?
 

I started with a 20, and I still love it. Once you get used to shooting guns, which you probably already are, you'll be fine with a 20. They're perfect for pheasant, quail, dove, and grouse hunting...if there were more ammo choices then they'd be up there with the 12s for ducks, but it's a lot easier to get a good steel load for 12s. I always thought 410s and 28s were a waste of time because of ammo availability/price as well as the small size of the shell, so I would never bother with them...hope you get the gun and have some fun with it :)

RE: 20 gauge too big?
 

You"ll be fine jr. Don"t let the gun scare you, just respect the gun and know it"use and be safe with it and you will do fine. My boy has been shooting a 12 gage since he was 12 years old, keep it hard on your shoulder, and be safe.

RE: 20 gauge too big?
 

if your sons 14 he should have no probs with a 20 gauge, my sons 11 yrs old, 95 lbs and loves his REM 870 in 20 gauge he'll stay out longer then i will huntin down quail. i say go for it

RE: 20 gauge too big?
 

Was out to the range today getting tuned in before spring bear with my 15 year old son who doesn't weigh 80lbs.He wanted to try the Marlin carbine in 45-70 and he had a blast shooting 300 gr HP loads.He has a H+R 20ga he's been shooting since he was 12 or so.With 7/8oz loads it's real user friendly...............Harold The 28ga is an upland sweety as well

RE: 20 gauge too big?
 

you are pretty tiny for a 14 year old. last year when i was 14 i was 5' 9'' 150lbs, but i could handle a 12 guage fine. I have had a 200 since i was 10 but i upgraded last year toa 12 gauge im 15 now.