20 Gauge or 12 gauge with lite target loads

D

dirtbos

Inactive
My wife and I are going to try a little clay shooting. Something to do together. I am looking at the Mossberg pumps as starter guns. She has shouldered a 20 gauge Bantam model and it feels good to her, but we can't find a 12 gauge Bantam for her to try. The 20 gauge is about 3/4 of a pound lighter than the 12, according to their catalog. The barrel is a little shorter on the 20 also. I don't want her to get discouraged if it is more difficult to break clays with the 20 though.

Any input would be appreciated. I would like to know how the recoil compares between a 20 gauge with standard loads and a 12 gauge with light target loads. Also, is there a great deal of difference in the shot patterns with a given choke. I would assume that the shot count would be less dense with the 20. Is the 20 a real handy cap?

Thanks

Mike
:)
 
Mike, I shoot a 20 on clays and have good success. Key here will be a lack of recoil for her. Everybody has different tolerance for kick and it's hard to predict for someone else.

Has she shot any rifles? This may give us a clue as to what to recommend.

I'd keep the 28 ga in the back of my mind. Melos had the same concerns and chose an 870 in 28 - seemed to work for him.

Strongly suggest you do a search for "recoil" or "kick" - several more knowledgeable posters have posted lots of information on this subject. Dave McC has covered the subject in some detail - far better than I could.
 
Excelant suggestion

GIZMO99

I had not noticed the “Search” feature and had no idea how successful it could be. Looks like I’ll be reading for hours! Thanks for the help.

Mike
:D
 
I have shot tons of different shotguns, and for a new shooter that might be recoil sensitive (man or woman, makes no difference) I drag out the Remington 1100 in 12 gauge EVERY time. The 1100 is the softest of them all as far as I can tell.

For a new shooter that might be recoil sensitive a 20 gauge pump is a handload ONLY proposition. Load 3/4 oz and load it slow, like 1050 or so with a slower powder. The "game load" you buy on sale at the wally world in a 20 gauge pump is no powderpuff where recoil is concerned. In 12 gauge you can buy extra light loads ready made, no such critter for the 20. 12 is usually heavier too, soaking up some more recoil.

The most efficient way I have ever seen to turn someone away from shooting is to give them a gun that kicks before they know how to handle it. Make sense too, if it cracks you don't do it again.

The 20 on clay targets is no handicap whatsoever when you work up to the 7/8 and 1 oz loads, if you missed it with a 20 the 12 would not have gotten it.

All the above is just my opinion, hope it helps.
 
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