27-Jul-2026
Walk any driven line or browse the gun racks at a country show and you will notice something that would have surprised shooters twenty years ago: the 20 bore is everywhere. Once dismissed as a lady’s gun or a boy’s first shotgun, the twenty has become the fashionable choice for experienced game shots across the UK, and the search data agrees, with interest in 20 bore shotguns for sale rising season after season.
This guide explains what is driving the 20 bore revival, how the twenty genuinely compares with the 12, which models dominate the UK market from Beretta, Browning and others, and what to look for if you are buying one, new or used.
Why the 20 bore is booming
The twenty’s appeal starts with weight. A typical 20 bore over-and-under weighs noticeably less than its 12 bore sibling, and on a walked-up day or a long driven season that difference is felt in the arms and shoulders, not just on the scales. Lighter guns mount faster and swing more naturally for many shooters, which is why so many seasoned guns who have shot 12s all their lives describe moving to a twenty as rediscovering the fun in their shooting.
Modern cartridges closed the performance gap. Today’s 20 bore game loads throw dense, consistent patterns that give away little to a standard 12 bore load at sensible game-shooting ranges. The old argument that the twenty was under-gunned for driven birds has largely evaporated for all but the most extreme days.
There is also an element of refinement. A well-made twenty is a slim, elegant thing, and the great makers reserve some of their prettiest work for small bores. That combination, lighter to carry, lovely to handle, more than capable over decoys or driven birds, explains why demand for used twenties consistently outruns supply.
20 bore vs 12 bore: The honest comparison
The 12 bore still wins on versatility. Cartridges are cheaper and available everywhere, heavy loads for wildfowling or high birds are plentiful, and a 12 will do everything from clays to geese. The twenty asks you to accept a slightly smaller payload and marginally dearer cartridges in exchange for a lighter, faster gun.
Recoil is more nuanced than the folklore suggests. A very light 20 bore firing stout loads can be snappier than a heavier 12 with standard loads, recoil is about gun weight as much as bore size. The sweet spot is a twenty of sensible weight shooting well-matched cartridges: carried like a feather, shot like a gentleman’s gun.
For clay shooting, the twenty gives up little on sporting layouts and skeet, though serious high-volume clay shooters generally stay with the 12 for its stability and cheaper ammunition. If you are choosing your first gun, our guide to buying your first shotgun in the UK walks through the decision in full.
The models that dominate the UK market
Beretta owns a large share of the UK twenty market. The 686 Silver Pigeon in 20 bore is arguably the default recommendation, proven action, lively handling and strong residuals; our Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon buyer’s guide covers the family in detail. Step up the range and the 687 Silver Pigeon III and the higher-grade 687 EELL in 20 bore add finer wood and engraving; the EELL Classic in 20 bore is one of the most searched-for small bores in Britain, and used examples on Beretta 687 20-gauge listings attract immediate attention.
Browning is the other volume player. The B525 in 20 bore is a favourite first twenty, slightly deeper-actioned than the Beretta, with the back-bored barrels and robust build the marque is known for; see our Browning B525 and B725 guide for the range. The B725 20 bore adds a lower-profile action and refined trigger.
Beyond the big two, the twenty is well served at every price: Miroku’s 20 bores offer Browning DNA at friendlier money, ATA and Yildiz cover the budget end (the Yildiz being famously featherweight), and at the top of the tree the London and Continental best guns, including 20 bore side-by-sides from the great English houses, represent the small bore at its most exquisite.
Buying a used 20 bore
The used twenty market is competitive, so a little preparation helps. Check the usual over-and-under fundamentals: tight lock-up with no looseness at the hinge, clean bores free of pitting, no dents in the barrels, and chokes that turn freely. On lighter small-bore guns, pay particular attention to stock condition around the head and wrist, since light guns are sometimes paired with enthusiastic loads.
Ask what the gun was used for. A twenty that has lived as an occasional game gun will typically have led an easy life; one used hard for clays may show more action wear. Fixed-choke guns are common among older twenties, know what constrictions you are buying and whether they suit your shooting. And as with any shotgun purchase in the UK, you will need a shotgun certificate, with transfers handled through the proper channels.
Cartridge choice deserves a final word: pattern your gun with a few brands, because twenties can be pleasantly particular. For clays, 24–28 gram loads through a quarter and half choke cover most sporting layouts; for game, modern 28–30 gram loads have made the twenty a genuine driven-day gun.
FAQ
Is a 20 bore powerful enough for pheasants? Yes. With modern 28–30 gram game loads and sensible ranges, a 20 bore is fully capable on driven pheasants and partridges, which is exactly why so many experienced game shots now carry one.
What is the difference between 20 bore and 20 gauge? Nothing; bore is the traditional British term and gauge the American one. A 20 bore and a 20 gauge are the same thing.
Is a 20 bore a good first shotgun? It can be excellent, particularly for younger or slighter shooters, thanks to its lighter weight. Just pair it with appropriate cartridges, as a very light gun with heavy loads can be surprisingly lively.
Do 20 bore shotguns hold their value? Generally very well. Demand for quality used twenties, especially Beretta and Browning over-and-unders, consistently outstrips supply in the UK.
Find your twenty on Rightgun
Whether it is a Silver Pigeon, a 20 bore B525 or a best English side-by-side, the right twenty is out there. Browse shotguns for sale across the UK on Rightgun, including dedicated Beretta 687 20-gauge listings, and if you are trading up, listing your current gun on Rightgun puts it in front of a targeted audience of UK shooters already searching for their next shotgun.
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