20 Gauge
The smart upland and starter choice — carries light, hits plenty hard, and modern loads have erased most of the old excuses for defaulting to a 12.
Family
Shotshell
Introduced
1870
Origin
British and American gunmakers, 19th century
History
The 20 gauge grew into the clear second-place shotgun bore by offering most of the 12's field capability in lighter guns with softer recoil. It's the traditional starter gauge for young shooters and a favorite of upland hunters who count ounces. Modern loads, including strong turkey and slug offerings, have narrowed the gap to the 12 considerably.
What it's used for
Iconic platforms
Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 youth models, Benelli Montefeltro, Beretta A400 in 20, and countless doubles.
Common load types
Lead and steel birdshot, buckshot, rifled and sabot slugs, and target loads.
Reference only — not loading data, not ballistics advice, and KitID links to no ammunition sellers. Know your local law before you buy anything that goes bang.