fun shotgun for newbie

You need to shoot some shotguns in 12ga and 20ga ...with light loads at 7/8 oz or maybe 1 oz ....and see what these guys are talking about....

A good semi-auto vs a solid breech gun ( like a pump ) is also a very good way to go ....and a lot of us shoot "light loads" these days ...especially if we want to shoot 150 - 300 shells a week ...

shooting heavy loads ( like slugs ) in a light gun ...whether its a 12ga or a 20ga ...is not a lot of fun..../ but if you want one gun that will do all of that ...with the lightest recoil ...go with a gas operated semi-auto ...like the new Browning Silver series or the Winchester SX3's / one of the Beretta semi-auotos / maybe a Remington 1100 or 11-87 ... there are lots of them on the market - both new and used...( and make sure it has changeable screw in chokes ...so you can do a little of everything with it ).
 
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Unfortunately, there is no chance in getting to try out either a 12 gauge or 20 gauge. I am in a position of buying to try. All I really have to go by is what I can gather from the forums, and until I jumped into this thread, everything pointed to the 20 gauge as being milder to shoot. It’s a smaller shell, so as an example, I’ll use #4 buckshot. With the 20 gauge shell being smaller than 12 gauge, would not the charge and the amount of buckshot both be less than the 12 gauge? Would the 20 gauge shotgun be that much lighter than a 12 gauge to negate the recoil?

Also, I hear the term light loads, but in looking at ammo online, I can’t recall the term “light load”. 2-3/4" shells. 3" shells? Why the two different lengths of shells? Most modern shotguns seem to shoot both. Are the 2-3/4 shells considered light loads?

You can tell I really know nothing about shotguns. I don’t need one, but I want one, but not if it’s not going to be fun to shoot. I will not use it for HD. That roll is filled by a .45 ACP, and in the tight corners and halls of my house, wielding a long heavy gun wouldn’t work.
 
Unfortunately, there is no chance in getting to try out either a 12 gauge or 20 gauge. I am in a position of buying to try.
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Unless you are immobile or a total butthead... you can "try" guns by meeting up with folks at places such as skeet fields or even public open ranges where shotguns get used...

All I really have to go by is what I can gather from the forums, and until I jumped into this thread, everything pointed to the 20 gauge as being milder to shoot. It’s a smaller shell, so as an example, I’ll use #4 buckshot. With the 20 gauge shell being smaller than 12 gauge, would not the charge and the amount of buckshot both be less than the 12 gauge? Would the 20 gauge shotgun be that much lighter than a 12 gauge to negate the recoil?
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Most typical production guns are built on a 12 gauge frame or the 20 gauge frame... The weight difference can be significant and a trip thru some spec pages at "buds guns" can show you. Realize the additional % of barrel thickness, mag tube and spring diameter on a 12 and it adds up.

An 870 20 will weigh more than the mossberg 500 20 as the M-500 is alloy frame.

Also, I hear the term light loads, but in looking at ammo online, I can’t recall the term “light load”. 2-3/4" shells. 3" shells? Why the two different lengths of shells? Most modern shotguns seem to shoot both. Are the 2-3/4 shells considered light loads?
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3" is for more specialized use where more shot or powder or both is needed... I never need them. 2 3/4" are standard. but they can be loaded with less shot, powder or both for specialized use where max payload and charge are not needed and reduced recoil is a substantial benefit.

You can tell I really know nothing about shotguns. I don’t need one, but I want one,
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Asking is one way to learn... And wantin' one is all the reason you need...
but not if it’s not going to be fun to shoot. I will not use it for HD. That roll is filled by a .45 ACP, and in the tight corners and halls of my house, wielding a long heavy gun wouldn’t work.
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With a $45 recoil pad... Even a light little single shot is pretty light hitting on the shoulder.
Brent
 
I can’t recall the term “light load”. 2-3/4" shells. 3" shells? Why the two different lengths of shells? Most modern shotguns seem to shoot both. Are the 2-3/4 shells considered light loads?
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I can load a 2-3/4" that will thump you more than a 3"

Power determines recoil. Light loads are typically those used for clay target shooting as it doesn't take much to break a target - 7.5, 8, 8.5 or 9 shot running at 1200 fps or LESS will still break clays and not be too harsh in the recoil department - all other factors considered

Winchester, among others, has a training load that runs about 980fps - VERY soft shooting, but it will NOT work the semi auto type of shotgun
 
what about the 28 gauge? a buddy told me its in the gap between .410 and 20gauge. Would this be a good choice for me?
 
IMO, the 28 is more for an experienced shot than a new one, though absolutes are rare in Shotgunland.

I suggest hanging out at clays ranges and asking polite questions. A well spoken novice will get lots of advice and some shotguns to try.
 
A 28 gauge Remington 1100 is perhaps the BEST gun to start new shooters (assuming it fits)

The performance is WAY better than a 410, the weight and gas action are wonderful for keeping recoil low
 
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