My recoil-sensitive wife started out with a Benelli Nova Youth in 20 ga. It's light, and the stock fits her. Unfortunately, it wasn't but a couple rounds of trap and borrowing a 12 ga 11-87 and she'd "outgrown" it and wanted a 12 for herself.

Her 12 ga 11-87's stock has been cut down to fit her, and the Nova's been in the safe ever since. One day, it'll come back out when the youngest is ready to start shooting.

She didn't find the recoil of the 20 ga much different than that of the 12. The auto certainly reduces some of it, but she's since used one of my 870s as well, and didn't find it objectionable other than the stock being too long for her. Knowing what I do now, I'd probably have been better off just starting her out with the 12 ga auto.

I passed on a forty year old Model 870 Wingmaster in 20 gauge to my son at Christmas. It will serve him well for squirrel,dove, and deer hunting for a while. I love 20 gauge shotguns for doing a lot of shooting. I have a box of 2 3/4" #3 buckshot for him to deer hunt with, but will probably move him to a 243 before the next deer season.

Id go with a 20

I got a couple of 1187 20 ga for my boys for hunting. I borrowed one and put a rifled barrel on it for deer hunting. It is a great little deer gun with plenty of oomph to get the job done no problems at all!!!

I'd go with a 12 for waterfowl and turkey.

Bunnies and deer 20 (rifled barrel and slugs for deer).

Home defence the 20 as its nice and light and short.

HA