My son just went through this. He was in a car accident, that causes some of your problems. What he did is get a good automatic shotgun. He got a Browning Silver Hunter 20 gauge, 28 inch Barrels, recoil pad. The only mistake he made is the Silver Hunter will not take a "Shell Catcher" and one cannot be made for it. He needs that shell catcher for shooting Trap. So If you are going to shoot clays make sure your gun has a shell catcher made for it. They only cost about $10.00. I am old and have old age problems. I shoot a Remington 11-87, 20 gauge at Trap. Same 28 inch barrel for a smooth swing. I got the Premier Model and I got a Shell Catcher for it at Wal-Mart $9:00. I must say that 11-87, 20 gauge has less felt recoil than my 28 gauge O/U ........Bob

We shoot geese here with 20ga but you want to make sure you are on them.

I would make sure that you get a good gas powered automatic. Inertia drives like the Benelli's still have some bite. Also, look up the limb saver, as that pad is relatively cheap and very good. Between those two items you can probably even fire a 12 gauge, I was amazed what the limb saver did for a pump 12.

You could get away with a 20ga for geese, but as Hillbilly mentioned, you better be right on them. I'd look into some of the other suggestions and try to go to a 12ga. Just my 2 cents.

I disagree, you can get 20 gauge, 1 ounce loads that go out at about 1300 FPS and you can get them shot that will bring down geese. Those in an automatic will not chew up your shoulder. Just don't get a Benelli they have no recoil reduction. Only your gas operated auto's will give the recoil reduction you desire...........Bob

Beretta 391 Urika last I checked is gas-operated. I shoot a 12ga in the Beretta 391 Teknys (sister gun to the Urika) and I use the 12 for goose without problem. They make shell catchers for the Beretta 391. About 1700, but it's a nice gun that doesn't fall apart easily.

Only thing I would suggest would be to keep the gas operated guns CLEAN. After 200 rounds of ATA State Trap last year my gun was dirrrrtyyy! Keep some steel wool on hand for the piston area beneath the forestock for cleaning to get the rest of the gunk/excess dirt out. It'll cement up if you let it sit during most of the year if you don't plan on shooting a whole lot. (I figured this out the hard way during the 5-Man State shoot last year. )

Good luck hunting!

Finding out the hard way always sucks don't it.

yes it does.