The 20 is good if stock fits , i use a 12 ga. with a shortened stock for my boys and a 20 ga. youth model , they shot both with out problem , we used 7/8 oz loads for dove and skeet . The 12 kicked a bit less because the gun was a bit heavier ! for buck we used 23/4 or reduced recoil loads , try ear plugs and muffs at first the noise can be more trouble than the kick !