what shotgun should I get?

S

springmom

New member
Hey, all;

Finally, after several handguns and a rifle, I'm looking at asking for a shotgun for our 25th anniversary in December. I can shoot my .45 without a blink...but I have WEENIE shoulders :rolleyes: and a day of sighting in and shooting my .243 today has left a nasty bruise on my right shoulder and pain that I KNOW is going to give me fits tomorrow. (Among other things, I have arthritis, so recoil against my shoulder is not a happy thing.)

But I have my eye on a Beretta Silver Pigeon IV in 28 gauge. I have also looked at a couple of .410s. I hope to finally get out for dove season here in Texas, and of course there's spring turkey season...and I'd like to shoot trap and skeet with the hubster and my youngest son.

I've read sm's thread the "little critters" but I'm opening it up to you all: which can I do the most with, and still manage the recoil?

Thanks, I look forward to hearing from you.

Springmom
 
Springmom--

28-gauge sounds like a good choice for you, and a 20-guage might give you somewhat more versatility.

I have a 12-gauge double that would always bruise my shoulder after 100 rds. at the trap range. I took it to a good gunsmith, and he installed a recoil pad and changed the length-of-pull by +1/2" at the same time. Made a world of difference.

My field-grade SxS 12-gauge double is plain-jane, and it will bruise my shoulder after just one box of shells.

Go try a 20-gauge if you can. That might be best for you.
 
here is my suggestion.

forget the .410 for now. it has such a small payload that the pattern thins out quick and is more of an experts gun at closer range than anything else, plus ammo is $$$

ammo is $$$ as well for the 28 gauge, but 28 gauges are nice.

I'd suggest a 20 gauge, though not a 12 gauge in ammo selection, its close and for target loads, which you would also use for dove, its the same price for 12 or 20 gauge.

Weight in the gun is your friend for recoil, minus adding recoil pads ect.

I'd say get a 20 gauge, that is built on a 12 gauge frame, for example one gun that is like that is the 1300 series from winchester. 12 gauge frame will be heavier sucking up the recoil, and then put on a limb saver recoil pad and you should be good to go.

also they make low recoil/reduced recoil target loads, at least they do for 12 gauge, i'm sure a few companies make them for 20 gauge as well. SOme target loads def have a lot more recoil than others for sure so try a few out.

remember it can be either velocity or payload that will give you the recoil. many times you are best off w/ a lower velocity load, some 'light' 1 oz loads from say a 12 gauge are screamers for target loads like 1300 fps or so and others are a few hundred less which greatly reduces the felt recoil.

also remember that its diminishing returns w/ higher velecotiy stuff. in laymans terms if you take one load at 1k FPS and the other at 1300FPS all else being the same, 1300 is going to recoil a good deal more. however if you measure the speed of the lead at a distance, the velocities will be similar. THis is physics b/c every time you double speed you quadruple wind resistance. so the advantage to the higher velocity shell is much more noticeble at short range than longer ranges.
 
I'm with bandit. a nice 20ga for easy and cheep ammo availability. and for being married for 25 years you deserve it. here are my suggestions

pump wingmasters are the one of the nicest and the most reliable pumps being made today.

auto gotta go for the gold, browning gold that is:D . you could get one in 12ga because the kick is so minute

over under i like the winchesters alot but sadly winchester doesn't make an o/u 20 ga so ill have to leave that one up to you. though the browning citori lightning is a nice gun
 
I'll agree with the 20, but I suggest a semi-auto as the felt recoil is reduced because some of the gases are used to open the bolt to reload a new round. The semi-auto is a little heavier than most pumps, which will also help reduce recoil.

I don't know what your budget is, but I would look at Berreta, Benelli, or Franchi as all three are owned by Beretta. The Franchi is the least expensive of the three, but it uses the same basic operating system as the other two.
 
I also agree with a semi auto 20 guage. A heavy 12 with mild loads in semi auto may not be as bad as you may think, but with light loads some autos will fail to feed. If you have a good relationship with a gun shop owner you may be able to try an auto 12. But yes, I think the 20 guage advise is sound. the 28 gauge is very pricey for ammo, and a .410 is , i believe a specialists gun. Lot of fun mind you.
 
Shoot more. When I first started shooting trap I would get a bruise the size of a football on my shoulder. After a while, you quite bruising.

I don't know if all the blood vessels are ruptured at that point so bruising is no longer possible or they just get tougher but it does improve with shooting.

You might want to try a 12 gauge that is set up to shoot light loads. Shoot some mild 1 oz loads and see how it goes. Otherwise, I think the semiautomatic 20 gauge is worthy of consideration.
 
Get you a NEF single shot 10 guage and shoot it a couple times. Then, go get you a 20 guage and you'll think your in heaven.
 
The 28 guage is probably my favorite guage for skeet and hunting,, within range of course. I would suggest a Remington 1100 in 28 guage, It will have less noticible recoil then the Beretta which recoil seems to be your problem or concern. The 28 isn't usually a hard recoiling round, but in the 1100 it is almost non existant. Great luck in your choice and future shooting.
 
One more thing- get as heavy a gun as you can tote. A lightweight 20 guage will have more felt recoil that a heavy solid 12 gauge. I shake my head at the number of folks who start shooters with lightweight guns, which can be punishing for the novice.
 
I agree. get a 20 gauge. they are great for trap shooting and are very versatile for other things. if you want to hunt then get one with screw-on chokes for more. versatility.
 
Currently I have a 12 ga Mossberg 835 Ulti Mag. If I could have afforded it at the time-and it was available- I would have bought a Benelli Super Black Eagle II or a Browning Cynergy. Although I believe these are only made in 12 ga. I think I would prefer a 20 ga. now.
 
Springmom,

Listen to Steve. Get the 28 ga. that fits you best. It's a .550, not that much bigger than a .410, but has a great reputation in the field and on the range. Just get that turkey in close...

lpl/nc
 
thanks, all

OK. The anniversary isn't until December, but I'd miss hunting season if we waited that long :D So today, Bass Pro Shop in Katy had their Fall Hunting deal going, and we went out after church. And I came home with a 20 gauge Beretta AL 391 Urika. I really was pleased to be able to talk to one of the factory reps from Beretta (who was there for the Fall Hunting expo) and he was extremely helpful. He suggested the 20ga in the semiauto, saying I'd experience less recoil with that than with a 28 in the over/under (and he could have sold me a much more expensive over/under than what I paid for the Urika, not that it was exactly a week's lunch money either of course).

It fits me well. I'm very excited at having another tool for hunting as well as for just-for-fun trap and skeet. I want to thank all of you who wrote to share your experience and advice, and just let you know that I found a good one.

Now to clean it and get out there and shoot :D

Springmom
 
You got the right gun. The gas guns are best for low felt recoil. An 1100 20 ga sporting would of also been a good choice. Have fun with your new toy.
 
:o :( i bought a mossberg maverick 12 guage very cheap from walmart but hey i have had no probs with this gun and i hit everything that moves. All these idiots that pay loads for a shotgun what muppets as the saying goes 'it aint the tool its who uses them' thats my opinion anyway bono estende!:eek:
 
gee, I'm sorry

But that made NO SENSE. What the heck did that have to do with anything? Are you saying I'm an idiot for getting a nice shotgun? :eek: If you ever read the whole thread you'd know I'm not up to a 12 gauge, and I really don't need some twit on the Internet telling me to buy a Mossberg or be an idiot.

Springmom
 
I would suggest a 28 ga in a gas operated semi. Should be pretty soft shooter and the 28 ga has a good shot string. For turkey I just can not see anything less than a 20 ga at short range.
Hope you find what you want.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top