I missed all of last season due to back surgery and have been thinking about using a 20 gauge shotgun this season for duck season. Was told it would be easier on my back and arthritis in my hands and wrist. Do any of ya'll use the Winchester SXP Waterfowl Hunter 20 gauge? I've been a 12 gauge man all my life and having questions in my mind on the 20 gauge and ducks. Thanks for any help.

I have used a 20 for waterfowl a lot. 3" 1 1/4 oz steel #2's or #3's out of a modified choke will stone a big duck at 45 yards. For decoying birds a 20 is not much of a handicap if you can center up.

Edit to add: #5 hevishot on geese is almost unfair.

I use the sx3 20 with a 28" barrel. I love it!!!

I use a Win 101 o/u --20ga------ never had a problem killing ducks.

Used a A400 Xplor on teal a couple years ago with #6 shot they were dead when they hit the ground. I just bought a Franchi Affinity in 20 and will use that this year, the A400 was just too pretty to take to the mud. The Affinity is black. If your back is still sensitive spend the extra bucks on the A400.

I use a Beretta Whitewing in 20 gauge for dove, pheasant and some quail.

I got a Franchi 20 SA a couple of years ago. I love it and it was under $900 I think. I don't feel handicapped with it for upland/doves but I would still pack a 12 for ducks. But that's just me.

Once you move to a light, responsive gun, it's hard to go back to your old heavy one.

I used to own an sxp 12 gauge and never had a problem with it as far as functionality. My wife shoots a 20 gauge(different gun) for dove and ducks and has no issue killing birds.

I’ve always hunted with a 20. When I lived in east Tx and started duck hunting I didn’t care for it. I bought a damn 1187, 12ga and liked it much better with the steel shot. I can shoot but the 20 with cheap steel didn’t have any range. If I had health issues and had to shoot a 20, I’d buy the heavy shot or shoot lead and pay the fine when the time came, whichever one I thought would be cheaper.

thanks for the info. I'll be buying the 20 gauge before Teal Season.

I have a 391 Utica and love it. very little recoil and it shoulders and swings great for me.

I have had both neck and back surgery.

I’d point you to the browning silver or it’s winchester counterpart. Very low recoil. About 6.5lbs.

I’ve found the number of doubles and triples goes up significantly when I shoot a 20ga.

You may also want to start reloading HW-13 6s of about 1 ounce to 1 1/18 ounce at a moderate speed of 1250fps if you would like a load that every bit as effective as 12ga loads with a fraction of the recoil.

If you are worried about recoil then the only way to go is with a gas operated 20ga semi-- A400 is a great option as is the Browning Silver-- the franchis and benellis are inertia driven. And going to a pump even in 20 won't give you what you want if you're really looking to reduce felt recoil because they are so light.

Remington 1100 has pretty low recoil.

Benelli Córdoba.