Semi-auto over a pump due to less recoil. Twenty gauge over .410 because the .410 is not a good gun for beginners. Harder to hit your target with a .410 which leads to discouragement. Remington used to make a "Light Twenty". When my boys were small, I bought one and had the stock cut. Then I found a 23 inch barrel to replace the 26 inch barrel. Sometime later, Remington stole my idea and came out with their Youth Model. I'm not sure they still make it nor do they make Light Twenty but you may be able to find one on Gunbroker.

As far as a 8 year old being too young for a 20 gauge shotgun, my son at 7 years killed his first deer-a doe that he shot at 80 yards with my .270 Ruger #1, at 8 he killed his first buck-a spike with a Ruger #1 in 7mm mag. As for teaching kids to shoot moving targets with a shotgun start them out shooting a frisbee. At first going away shots to build confidence, then increase the angle as the child gets better. A frisbee can take a bunch of abuse before it becomes unusable. Once the frisbee is mastered move on to hand thrown clays, same drill, straight away then increasing angles. Folks are less likely to notice recoil when shooting at a moving target versus a stationary one.

I have an older model Benelli youth shotgun, I no longer see this on the website but do see this compact 20 gauge Montefeltro:

Montefeltro Shotgun - Compact 20-Gauge 2-3/4" and 3"
10866
26″ Satin Walnut, Compact 45.6″ 5.4 lbs. $1,139
10868
24″ Satin Walnut, Compact 43.6″ 5.3 lbs. $1,139
Additional Specifications

Magazine Capacity: 4+1

Chokes: Crio® IC, Crio® M, Crio® F

Type of Sights: Red-Bar Front

Length of Pull: 12-1/2″

Drop at Heel: 2″

Drop at Comb: 1-1/2″

Minimum Recommended Load: 2-1/2 dram, 7/8 oz. loads

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
I have an older model Benelli youth shotgun, I no longer see this on the website but do see this compact 20 gauge Montefeltro:

Montefeltro Shotgun - Compact 20-Gauge 2-3/4" and 3"
10866
26″ Satin Walnut, Compact 45.6″ 5.4 lbs. $1,139
10868
24″ Satin Walnut, Compact 43.6″ 5.3 lbs. $1,139
Additional Specifications

Magazine Capacity: 4+1

Chokes: Crio® IC, Crio® M, Crio® F

Type of Sights: Red-Bar Front

Length of Pull: 12-1/2″

Drop at Heel: 2″

Drop at Comb: 1-1/2″

Minimum Recommended Load: 2-1/2 dram, 7/8 oz. loads

That inertia driven cycle in a super light package will kick like damn donkey too, tread carefully for beginners.

My first gun was a break open 410 shotgun at 10 years old. I quickly learned to hate that gun. Pellet pattern & number make it difficult to hunt flying birds with a high degree of success!

However, it works ok if you sneak up on birds feeding on grain you have spread out on the ground!

Rent a shotgun and take your son to a trap or skeet range. Let him choose. Just like a pistol selection.

We went through this with my son, ~10 years ago or so.

We tried:
.410 Topper
28ga 1100
20ga 11-87 youth
20ga A390 youth
20ga 870 youth
20ga Mossberg pump

What ended up working best for my son, as a 1st shotgun around that age, was a Stoeger Condor youth 20ga (O/U). It wasn't on my radar at all, but it actually worked very well. We cut down the stock to an appropriate length, and added a limb saver recoil pad. Dropped it off at Briley and had them slick up the action a bit and verify that it would "switch barrels" with lighter shells. We used Fiocci low recoil "Lite" shells.

It was heavy enough to dampen the recoil, but light enough for him to manage. The recoil pad and lite shells helped as well. It was possible to shorten the stock enough for a small kid. It was pleasant to shoot, and was capable of breaking clays or knocking down birds. It is pretty simple to understand/teach how it operates, and it's easy to visually tell when it is "safe" (broken open).

A season or 2 later he moved up to a cut down Beretta A391 20ga.

At this point, there are at least 5 other kids (family, friends and co-workers children) that have started on that Stoeger. It seems to constantly be "on loan" to someone, ever since my son outgrew it.

My son is 9 and about 110 pounds not sure on height but maybe 4-6. He can shoot my 870 youth 20 pretty well with birdshot target loads. Haven't tried magnum Buck or slugs yet. Personally I love the 20 youth for upland birds. It's so quick and light to swing around with the 21 inch barrel . The inch shorter length of pull doesn't bother me. I can always get a 'normal' stock for it. I'm 6-1 with 35inch arms. I assume he will grow to be at least my size.

If possible I'd go with an 1100 youth model but it's hard to find a gun that's really going to fit someone that young. Don't go with the H&R single shot. It's way too light and kicks like a mule. I tried one with both of my sons and they hated it.
They're harder to find but an 1100 in .410 has hardly any recoil at all.

My son started with a Mossberg 510 .410 pump with a fixed modified choke. He knocked down the first dove he swung on this season. It's a sweet little shotgun being just a sized down Mossberg 500. Heft is perfect. LOP is perfect ... and adjustable with the included 1" spacer. Mossberg also provides a coupon for 50% off a future replacement stock if you get that far before he goes bigger. It even comes plugged as a single shot until he grows into the discipline and safety of the sport.

A lot of the single shots available (Rossi, etc) kick like hell for a .410 and aren't made very well to start with.

So, my advice, check out the Mossberg 510 mini.

After that, my little guy will go 20 gauge semiauto and probably a Remington V3 (when it's made), Weatherby or something similar.

28 gauge would be perfect but no one makes a youth / compact model. I dont see the sense for my son developing bad habits and getting shoved around with a 20 pump or single shot until he's more comfortable and skilled in the art.

I don't remember how old my son was, but he started with a 20 gauge, 870 express youth model. He still uses it, and still thanks me to this day. He is 6' 3", and over slightly 200 lbs. It's short, light, capable, and carries through the woods nice...I use a youth, 20 gauge, double barrel, side by side, awesome brush guns...

quote:

Originally posted by coloradohunter44:
Try a 28 gauge. Mild recoil and fun to shoot. So what if the shells do cost a bit more.

Yes, this is a better choice than a .410 bore. Look at a Franchi 48AL. It's also available in 20 gauge, but recoil might be a little too much.

28 gauge isn't bad at all, and the Franchi 48AL is lightweight, 5.2# and compact and trim. I find the it is a pleasure to carry in the field and shoot. I love my Franchi 48AL.


ARman

I still have the H&R single shot 20 gauge my father gave me.

It’s not too much for him

I do recall wasting dozens of rounds trying to reload fast enough get a second shot off... only to be behind the bird....