17-Sep-2026
Twenty years ago the 20 bore was a gun for children, ladies and the occasional eccentric. Today it is the fastest-growing bore in British game shooting, and on a smart driven day you may see as many 20s in the line as 12s. The reasons are practical rather than fashionable: a 20 bore weighs a pound less than the equivalent 12, carries beautifully through a long day on the hill, and with modern cartridges gives away far less in the air than the old wisdom suggested.
That popularity has brought choice. Every major maker now offers its core models in 20 bore, often on a genuinely scaled action rather than a 12 bore frame with smaller holes, and the second-hand market has followed. So the question is no longer whether a 20 bore will do the job, but which one to buy.
This guide sorts the 20 bores UK shooters search for most on Rightgun.uk into budget brackets, explains who each one suits, and finishes with the questions buyers ask before they commit. Prices are broad brackets because grade, condition and barrel length change the figure considerably; the linked listings show what is actually available today.
Under £1,000: Turkish over-and-unders and the value semi-autos
The Turkish makers have done for the 20 bore what they did for the 12: made a well-finished, reliable over-and-under affordable. The Yildiz SPZ and Pro are the most searched-for guns in this bracket, and the SPZ in particular has built a reputation as a light, quick game gun that punches well above its price. Both come with multichokes and single selective triggers, and Yildiz offers youth and lightweight versions that make a good first gun for a younger shot.
Lincoln, an Italian-made brand sold widely in the UK, sits a little higher in finish, and a used Lincoln Premier or No. 2 in 20 bore is a sensible step up from Turkish guns for not much more money. Older Baikal IZH-27 20 bores are heavier and plainer but nearly unbreakable.
For a semi-auto at this price, the Hatsan Escort is the budget option, though most buyers looking for a 20 bore semi-auto save a little longer for the guns in the next bracket.
Who it suits: first guns, younger and smaller-framed shooters, anyone who wants a light 20 bore for rough shooting without worrying about scratches.
Browse: Yildiz SPZ · Yildiz Pro · Lincoln Premier · Lincoln No. 2 · Yildiz shotguns
£1,000 to £2,500: Beretta 686, Browning B525 and the best semi-autos
This is where the 20 bore market really lives. The Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I in 20 bore is built on a properly scaled action and is, for many shooters, the ideal walked-up and driven game gun: light, low-profiled and lively. The 687 Silver Pigeon III and V add better engraving and wood, and the 687 EELL in 20 bore is one of the most searched-for shotguns on Rightgun.uk, a sidelock-styled boxlock that many consider the prettiest gun Beretta makes at any price.
Browning’s B525 Game in 20 bore is the obvious alternative, with a slightly deeper action and the steadier feel Browning owners prefer. A used B425 or a Browning Heritage in 20 bore does the same job with more character. Miroku’s MK60 game gun is another Japanese-built option that undercuts both.
For the semi-auto buyer, this bracket holds the two best 20 bores on the market: the Benelli M2 and Montefeltro, inertia-driven, light and almost maintenance-free, and the Beretta A400 Xplor in 20 bore, gas-operated and noticeably soft in recoil. Winchester’s SX4 20 gauge and Franchi’s Affinity are strong value alternatives.
Who it suits: the serious game shooter buying a 20 bore as a main gun, the clay shooter who wants a lighter second gun, and anyone who values resale.
Browse: Beretta 687 20 gauge · Beretta 686 · Browning B525 · Benelli M2 · Beretta A400
£2,500 to £6,000: Lightweight game guns and round bodies
Above £2,500, the 20 bore becomes a connoisseur’s gun. Beretta’s Ultraleggero and SL3 are built specifically for the walked-up shooter who wants to carry a gun all day and barely notice it; the Ultraleggero uses a lightened action that keeps a 20 bore well under six pounds. Browning’s B725 Game in 20 bore is the refined version of the B525, and Blaser’s F16 in 20 bore brings the low-action German design to the game field.
The Italian round-body guns are the aesthetes’ choice: Caesar Guerini’s Maxum and Rizzini’s round-body models are hand-finished, scroll-engraved and beautifully balanced, and in 20 bore they handle like the best guns of a previous century.
For the side-by-side traditionalist, this is also where the good Spanish guns live. AYA’s No. 4 boxlock in 20 bore is a classic, and the sidelock No. 1 and No. 2 are within reach on the used market. Beretta’s 486 Parallelo brings a modern side-by-side to the same bracket.
Who it suits: the driven shooter who wants a gun to keep for life, and the walked-up shooter for whom every ounce matters.
Browse: Beretta Ultraleggero · Browning B725 · Blaser F16 · Caesar Guerini Maxum · AYA No. 4
£6,000 and up: Best guns and competition 20s
At the top, the 20 bore is either a best gun or a competition gun. Perazzi’s MX20 is the competition 20, built on a scaled MX action for the shooter who wants to compete in 20 bore classes or simply prefers the lighter gun on sporting layouts. Krieghoff’s K-20 does the same job in German style, with the K-80’s sliding top-latch action scaled down.
For game, the sky is the limit. Beretta’s SO5 and SO6 sidelocks are offered in 20 bore, the Browning B25 grades can be ordered in 20, and the London and Birmingham makers all build 20 bore pairs for those who can wait and pay. On the used market, an AYA No. 1 or a good English boxlock in 20 bore is a realistic way into a best-quality gun.
Who it suits: collectors, competitors, and shooters commissioning the last gun they will ever buy.
Browse: Perazzi MX20 · Krieghoff K-20 · Beretta SO5 · AYA No. 1 · Browning B25
Choosing a 20 bore: What actually matters
Three things decide whether a 20 bore will suit you. First, action size. The best 20 bores are built on a true 20 bore frame, which is where the weight saving comes from; a 12 bore action with 20 bore barrels gives you the smaller cartridge without the handling benefit. Ask, or look at the width of the action compared with the maker’s 12.
Second, chamber length and cartridge. Most modern 20 bores have 3in (76mm) chambers, which lets you use heavier loads for wildfowling or high birds, but 2¾in (70mm) cartridges are the everyday choice and older guns may be chambered for them only. Check the proof marks before buying second-hand.
Third, fit and balance. A 20 bore is light, which makes it quick but also easier to stop mid-swing. Longer barrels, 30in rather than 28in, help many shooters keep the gun moving, and stock fit matters more on a light gun than on a heavy one.
Browse: Beretta shotguns · Browning shotguns · Benelli Montefeltro · Winchester SX4 · Miroku MK60
FAQ
Is a 20 bore good enough for driven pheasants? Yes. With a 28g or 30g load of No. 5 or No. 6 shot a 20 bore will kill any normal driven bird cleanly. Very high birds and wildfowl are better served by a 12 bore or by 3in 20 bore loads.
What is the difference between 20 bore and 20 gauge? Nothing. “Bore” is the British term and “gauge” the American one; both describe the same cartridge and the same barrel.
Can I shoot 12 bore cartridges in a 20 bore? No, and you must never mix them in the same pocket. A 20 bore cartridge dropped into a 12 bore barrel can lodge in the bore and cause a burst when a 12 bore cartridge is fired behind it.
Is the Beretta 687 EELL worth the extra over the Silver Pigeon? If you value looks and finish, yes: the EELL’s engraving and wood are a class apart, and it holds its value well. Mechanically, the two are very close, so a shooter buying purely for performance can save the money.
Find your 20 bore on Rightgun.uk
Rightgun.uk lists new and used 20 bore shotguns from registered dealers and private sellers across the UK, from a first Yildiz to a Beretta EELL or a Perazzi MX20. Compare over-and-unders, side-by-sides and semi-autos in one place, filter by bore and chamber, and contact sellers directly. Browse shotguns for sale today.
Further reading: The 20 bore comeback, Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon III, Best game shotguns UK by budget, Shotgun chamber lengths explained, and Shotgun fit explained.
