[2] A 20-gauge shotgun is more suitable for hunting certain types of game or for some hunters because it may have less felt recoil than an identical shotgun in a larger gauge, [5] and guns may be smaller and weigh less, though this has changed since the introduction of the 3-inch magnum shotshell.

[7] 20-gauge shotguns are especially suitable for hunting game birds such as quail, grouse and mallards when using lead-free birdshot.

A 20-gauge buckshot load would most commonly be utilized in close- to mid-range self-defense scenarios.

[citation needed] While slug loads are ballistically less accurate than rounds used in rifles, powerful, high-grain slug loads can provide improved ballistics for hunting deer when paired with a rifled barrel.

Loads for waterfowl will tend to produce more felt recoil in a 12-gauge shotgun than in a 20, but this may not be the case depending on the gun used.