first shotgun

A

andhen2003

New member
Hi gents. Good forum. At the ripe old age of 42 I am looking to purchase my first shotgun. I recently went sporting clay shooting a few times and absolutely loved it. I used a loaner Remington semi 12 ga and really enjoyed shooting it. I've only shot a few times and used a pump once before (no idea of make, or even i it was 12 or 20 gauge!). Prior to that it was shooting at squirrels with a .22 when I was 16 years old...so it's been a while.

I'm also looking to try some upland game hunting (particularly pheasant, which is quite yummy).

Recognizing that I need to try various guns to gauge fit, but also that I'm new, not sure how much I will be able to get out, want a versatile and reliable gun, and don't want to spend too much on my first, I was thinking of getting a pump 12 ga like a Benelli Supernova. The person I shot clays with last time, who gave me lessons, sort of poo-poo'ed pumps and recommended I get a semi, but I'm the kind of guy who feels you should learn to drive stick before automatic. And the pricetag is attractive. I figure if I really get into it, THEN I'll spend a couple of thousand on a good semi auto or maybe an O/U.

Any thoughts? Thanks!
 
I started duck hunting 35 years ago with a pump gun, so it's second nature to me to pump for a second shot, kind of like driving a stick. If you can pat your head and rub your stomach at the same time, you can figure out a pump. I have a 20 gauge Nova, that is a nice little gun, much more lively than the 12 gauge. You might consider a 20 gauge, and add a 12 gauge semi or O/U later. Mark
 
Well I think I can pat my head and rub my stomach at the same time, but I'm not going to try, because I'd hate to find out I can't. :)
Forgive my ignorance, but wouldn't a 20 gauge give me less versatility? I'd like a gun where I can perhaps try turkey or duck hunting, something that's a real "all arounder" so I can try different hunting and clay sports with it. I figured since I felt pretty comfortable with a 12 ga, that's what I'd go with, but I haven't thought about a 20 ga.
 
You mentioned Sporting Clays and pheasant hunting. A 20 gauge would work well for these. If you want to do trap, skeet, sporting clays, turkey hunting, duck hunting, and upland bird hunting, then we need to reconsider. I would compare using one gun for all of those like trying to do all your wrenching with an 8" crescent wrench. You will probably get it done, but it's not the best choice. You may want to start out with a 12 gauge pump, but you will soon want to replace it with something more appropriate to the task. Then, do you keep the pump, or sell it to get another gun? A12 gauge pump really isn't the best tool for any of the options. A light 20 gauge might fill a niche, and you could keep it for upland hunting. Very few shotgunners only own one gun. Mark
 
Thanks Mark I appreciate it. Is the 20 a little better suited for upland just because it's lighter? Or is the amount of pellets you're hitting the bird with better suited for birds that size?
 
The 12 is definitely more versatile than the 20. If you want a softer shooting gun than the 12, you can shoot 12 gauge shells with light loads mimicking a 20. The 12 may even shoot softer, if it weighs more than the 20.

Depending on what you use it for, you may not want the livelier gun. I vote going with a 12 gauge pump and then deciding what you want in a good semi, which can easily cost 3 to 5 times what you will pay for a pump.
 
Mainly it's a lighter, more lively in the hands, when you swing on a bird. Some people would also consider it more sporting, not overkill. When hunting it's 90% walking and carrying, and 10% shooting. Shooting sports, it's the other way around. You want a heavier gun to absorb the recoil of many shots. I also have a 12 gauge Nova, that is a tank. Its' a great duck/goose gun, but I wouldn't consider using it for pheasant. Mark
 
Thanks. I shot clays for about 2 hours last time and the recoil pain didn't bother me too much, but yeah that sucker was feeling pretty heavy by hour #2. Guess I'll reconsider. Thanks again for the advice.
 
Where the "pooh-pooh"ing of the pump comes from for sporting is with the necessity to work the action for your second shot. Many folks, especially new ones, cannot keep the gun smoothly on the target line, thus dropping birds they might have normally hit using a semi, O/U, or even a SxS.

You didn't say what your budget is, but you can find a lot of good semi's without the need to drop a few thousand for your first one - think USED -

No matter what type of gun, get the target version IF your focus is mostly targets with some pheasant thrown in. Target models tend to be somewhat heavier to help mitigate the recoil. OTOH, if your plan is more walking for birds with a little clays once in a while, the field version will be your friend

Note there are various stock versions as well, especially in the target models
 
Last edited:
The 12 gauge is much more versitile. I've always owned remingtons and ithacas being from upstate ny. However new ithacas are a little pricey for what they are and well new remingtons are not what they used to be as we all know. I just bought my first winchester shotgun and I love it! Winchester makes the fastest shotguns in the world. They are reasonably priced as well. You might also look at the browning BPS. Bad things about these guns...foreign made.:rolleyes:
 
This will not be an easy decision! I'm a bit leery about buying a used semi from what I've read, but I also see Cabela's has some decent guns on sale once in a while so I will consider that too when my FID comes in (hopefully) in the next couple of weeks.
 
If you want more of a challenge, load your 12 gauge with 7/8 ounces of shot. I hear you on holding the gun for too long, but you get used to it. Your musculature simply needs to adjust. Even BigJim can usually shoot a couple of rounds.

I like the "challenge" of shooting 7/8 ounce loads in my 12 gauge as it gives me another excuse for low scores.

As for buying used on line, I don't know, but ask around your club and check online for sale notices, such as the ones on the firing line and shotgunworld, for a deal from a private party who may be local to you.
 
TKM

Your scores should be going UP from shooting 7/8oz loads as the lighter recoil will not take its toll on you after several rounds. I break 55 yards sporting targets with 7/8oz load

It ain't the arrow, it's the Indian...;)
 
Last edited:
ha, take it outside gents!

actually, i'm a competitive weightlifter, and my shoulder was still burning from holding up the barrel for a few hours!
 
A heavy gun will get to your arms after a while, but it isn't as bad as the bruising your shoulder gets (nor as long-term in the damage department)

Those of us who have been shooting targets for a while know that HEAVY gun plus LIGHT load = LOW recoil and more time shooting, with less possibility of nerve/tissue damage in the shoulder area

When the Olympics went to 24 gram loads, (basically 7/8), after the whining subsided, they found their scores were going UP.......;)
 
i'm not too worried about the shoulder. like i said last time i just got a lasting bruise. i already have some nerve damage from the time I blew out my bicep in that arm, and had it reattached.
 
Your scores should be going UP from shooting 7/8oz loads as the lighter recoil will not take its toll on you after several rounds. I break 55 yards sporting targets with 7/8oz load

It ain't the arrow, it's the Indian...
Click to expand...

Don't spoil my excuses, oneounce. My fragile ego needs needs each and every one.
 
i'm not too worried about the shoulder. like i said last time i just got a lasting bruise. i already have some nerve damage from the time I blew out my bicep in that arm, and had it reattached.
Click to expand...

That is another big plus for a semi auto or shooting 7/8 loads.:( Some people who shoot a lot over the years have to have shoulder surgery. Just don't buy anything expensive and get something used that is easily resold with little loss. If you go the 7/8 route, it can be expesive unless you reload.
 
I would recommend an autoloader, second-hand quality piece.
Great stuff available in the $500-$600 range.
Gas-operated guns absorb more recoil than intertia-driven, and certainly more than a pump(no absorption!)
I'm better at field shooting than I am at clays, and I love my transition from 12ga to 20ga.
I am shooting a Browning Silver Hunter, 20ga autoloader.
Light, quick, and the pheasants don't realize I'm only shooting 20ga.
I have no desire to shoot waterfowl, so no penalty there.
I find that fit is more important than the payload, and this Browning and I are in love with each other.
Winchester SX2 and SX3 are very similar.
Contact your local shotgun club for ideas and people are always trading.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top