Do 12 gauge shotguns have a considerably greater kick than 20 gauge shotguns?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

There are too many variables. The main one, is projectile weight, followed by its velocity, and then many other variables in the gun like bore size, forcing cones, action type, recoil devices, etc..

As an example, a 2 3/4 dram load with 7/8oz of shot (any size shot..that has nothing to do with recoil) in a 12 ga will recoil less than a 2 3/4 dram 1oz load from a 20ga.

Remember physics, everything has an equal opposite reaction. The heavier the projectile going out the barrel, the more recoil. The faster it accelerates, and the faster its going, the more recoil. Bore size comes into play because the forcing cones "squeezing" the projectile down makes additional felt recoil. Many competition shooters (who may shoot 1000 rnds a day) have larger bore 12ga (up to .800), or have long forcing cones to reduce felt recoil.

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RE:

Do 12 gauge shotguns have a considerably greater kick than 20 gauge shotguns?

12 Gauge Vs 20 Gauge Recoil

Too many factors to consider. A 2 3/4 inch 12 gauge round will not kick like a 20 gauge 3 inch turkey magnum. :)

Then there's the recoil pad, etc.

Why would anyone named "Fang" be concerned about a little recoil??!!

The 12 guage will recoil more than a 20 guage. Remember that recoil for a shotgun is more of a push as opposed to the sharper jolt of recoil from a rifle.

A properly fitted shotgun stock will reduce recoil quite a bit.

Here's a little trick: Seat the butt of the shotgun firmly into your shoulder (but not on the shoulder joint); place your cheek lightly against the butt stock when you aim, do not lay your cheek bone against the top of the stock; take a step (or half step) forward with your weak leg (if you shot right handed, your weak leg is your left leg); lean forward slightly; be sure you are balanced (adjust your feet or angle you are leaning); Fire the gun; as it recoils your upper body will move back from its leaning position like a shock absorber. As you shoot more often, the position becomes more natural.

Start off shooting some #9 stuff (almost no recoil) then move to #6 and #4 shot (moderate recoil); then try the Buck Shot and Slugs (heavy recoil).

Good luck "Fang". . .

Depends on whether it uses full-bore or a choke. I had a 16 gauge long tom shotgun when I was a kid and it kicked worse than a 10 gauge shotgun

Generally yes, since 12ga loads on average weigh 50% more than a 20gauge and weight of payload and velocity, versus gun weight is what recoil is calculated from.

However a heavier gun recoils less than a light gun, and a lot of 12gauges are built heavier to soak up recoil.

Choke and barrel length have nothing to do with recoil, except if they increase the weight of the gun as already mentioned.

Different sized pellets make no difference either. 1 oz of #7 shot recoils just the same as 1oz of buckshot or a 1 oz slug if they are launched at the same velocity by the same amount of powder.

Hi...

... Oldfuz has some excelent points for yo...fitting a gun to the shooter is one of the most over looked options ...

A 12 or a 20 or even a 16 are softer kicking than most large calaber rifels are..but the choke on the shotgun deffinatly affects it's recoil..so do the fitting, ..you will appreciate your shooting experiance much more if you do.

One more thing ..in case you are new to the sport... HOW you shoot will also affect the guns recoil...positioning the butt to sholder...yor body...and yor grip..all will bear on recoil. It's a matter of ballance through the line of sight relitive to your absorbson of inpact.

A shooting lesson or two and practice are as important in shooting..as in any other sport.

Blatantly yes, but it depends on how heavy your shotgun is, percieved recoil reductions etc. My 12 gauge kicks less than 20's I have fired and one other 12 gauge.

with slugs, yes the kick is quite different, with a birdhsot pellet, like 6 or 7, the kick isnt too much different. IT also depensd on shell size- 2 3/4'' 3'' or 3 1/2''.