My son has a 20ga nova. Perfect gun for kids. Great for doves, but the ducks have to be within 25 to 30 yrds. It shoots 3" shells and he's been shooting 2's. Ran out of shells and he grabbed my 870 12ga and it was a big difference. That's all he uses now. He's 14. If your buying a waterfowl gun I would suggest a 12 ga unless you have money to purchase another gun next year. As for the 20ga, that's now my 9 yr old daughters gun, she'll be shooting skeet this summer for her 1st hunting trip next Sept.