Need advice, wife interested in Skeet

T

tlm225

New member
You could have knocked me over with a feather the other day, my mostly anti-gun wife let me know that she has been interested in shooting skeet for a long time. Now I'm well versed in defensive use of guns, hunting with rifles and pistols and the use of shotguns as defensive tools. The problem is I've never shot skeet and know very little about it.

This will be my wife's sport/hobby. Fortunately the Remington gun club is only 15 miles down the road from us (in Lonoke AR). In the end it will be her decision on what gun and gauge she will use but can someone give me some suggestions for her to consider? My main concerns are fit and recoil. She's 58, 5'04" with a medium build and very little shooting experience. I can handle the gun safety aspect with her but need to tap into the knowledge base of others to assist her in her getting a good start.
 
Take her to that range that's only 15 miles away,,,

Head on out to the Skeet range,,,
Ask some people what they are shooting,,,
I'll bet ya they will be more than willing to let her shoot.

No substitute for some practical experience.

Aarond
 
See if the club offers an introductory lesson to get your wife off on the right foot. The coach may be able to recommend some guns for her. Then shoot as many guns as possible before deciding on one. Its nice that the Remington Cun Club furnishes free guns, which I expect will be Remingtons. Just remember that there are other manufacturers and you may wish to try some other brands and types. Veteran shooters are often more than willing to give new shooters some pointers and may even offer to let you try their guns.

(PER BELOW, the Remington Gun Club you are talking about is part of Remington and it supplies free instruction.)
 
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hmmmmmmmmmm

Has she ever fired a shotgun?

My wife also wanted to shoot skeet and I got her a 20ga semi-auto...ported barrel, back-bored it, etc. Almost no noticeable recoil.
She hates it! Can't hit a thing and says the recoil is too brutal.

My wife is about 5'4" @ 120 lbs and shoots a 1911 (Colt) with no problem whatsoever.
Go figure.
 
Hopefully your local club is a well run operation ....and I'm sure they can help you out ...maybe some rental guns, etc...even a local instructor ...

A couple of points....( for any new shooters - ladies, guys, kids, etc )...

a. no matter what / make sure she has fun ....
b. make sure she shoots a gun that doesn't beat her up ...( maybe a gas operated semi-auto in 20ga or even a 28ga )....
c. let her say when she's had enough ....and don't talk her out of it...
d. since you are not a "skeet shooter" ...learn together .../ you should pick whatever gun suits you - gague, weight, etc....and let her do the same ! Don't make her shoot /or expect her to shoot some fixed breech, light weight 12ga pump gun or something...especially with heavy loads...

Its way too soon for you to be picking out guns to buy ....don't go down that path for awhile...
 
Important point to remember,the LOP on most guns is going to be way too long for her. I stand 5'4" and run 13 1/4" LOP on my guns. Find what she likes then after you get it, have it professionally fitted to her; no bubba the gunsmiths. I'm sure you can get some solid recommendations at the range. It will have a big effect on her shooting quality, fatigue factor, and recoil acceptance. The extra money spent on fitting is money well spent. If for some reason she wants a garden variety gun, see if that make/ model is offered in a youth size; for a rack gun it will come closer to fitting her properly.
 
Most of the women who shoot sporting clays us the 12 ga. All kinds of ammo is available .Some people assume a lighter 20ga is the way to go but that ends up with the same recoil that the 12 ga has ! Any recoil will be accentuated with a poorly fitted stock !!!
 
Thanks for the input fellows, all good advice. Keep em coming. I intend for her to get the instruction by someone far better qualified than me. Hopefully she can try a few different guns to determine what works for her.
 
Over/Under

When you get to the Remington Gun Club, you may find that the only shot guns it has are pumps and autoloaders. Remington no longer makes an over/under or, for that matter, a side by side double barrel shotgun as far as I know. Someone will correct me if I am wrong.

BigJim is right that she should put off getting her own gun for now (and especially as long as you can shoot guns for free from the local club) but your wife should probably try some o/u guns before buying.
 
I've competed with some women (and men) 5'-4", and under, who were scratch shooters. In Skeet, the shorter shooters may have a slight advantage because they can see more of the target's bottom.

Typically, the clubs with NSSA Skeet tournaments attract the better area shooters, and you'll learn more from experienced shooters. The Remington Club doesn't host NSSA tournaments, but the Blue Rock Sportsmens club, just west of Remington, does.

As far as gun safety issues are concerned, the shotgun sports have their own specific safety rules. They may seem excessive to some. I've seen new shooters storm off the field because they didn't feel they needed, nor wanted, the mandatory ear and eye protection.

For many years Remington's 1100 was the quasi-official Skeet autoloader; but, it was put out of business after Beretta introduced their soft recoiling 390 series gas guns. For youngsters and other short shooters, Beretta's promotionally priced 3901 Target RL offers a lot of bang for the buck. However, most serious skeeters prefer a Skeet specific O/U gun.

Like having a new suit altered, it's not unusual to have a new gun custom fit. Typically, factory gun stocks are sized for the average shooter. If you're not average, you may not find an off-the-shelf gun that fits. If you're going to shoot a gun that doesn't fit, why not wear shoes 2 sizes too small to compound your discomfort?
 
I have a Rem 1100 that I cut the stock shorter on so I could add a nice, thick recoil pad to. I bought a Browning O/U a few months later. The Browning has a spring-loaded recoil system that was added to it. Well, the Browning actually has much less recoil than the Rem, both shooting the identical ammo (12g # 7 1/2).

The recoil system on the Browning costs as much as the Rem. You get what you pay for. I don't think 20g is any softer-shooting than 12g, I have a Rem 1100 in 20g also, feels the same as the 12g, just lighter.
 
Go to that club and let someone experienced in skeet to do the instruction. Just set in the clubhouse and cheer and drink coffee. Stay out of the way.
 
If they still have the Remington 1100 Youth - 20 Gauge it will likely be close and shoot about as soft as any common off the shelf shotgun.
 
Thanks for the additional advice. Trust me, I'm a cheerful cheerleader in this endeavor:). She's supported me in my hobbies and I'll support her. She will be getting what I hope will be professional instruction and hopefully get to try several different guns.

Langenc don't worry I'll stay out of the way, I am in no way qualified to tell her what she needs and I like drinking coffee:D
 
When she starts having more fun than should be allowed, you will want to join in as well, so it wouldn't hurt for both of you to get a lesson or three. Breaking clays is a lot of fun, enjoyed by millions, and is just one more way folks can enjoy guns without it always having to be for zombies or HD.......

Embrace her hobby and learn to enjoy it too
 
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