armedandsafe
New member
This is one of the few places on which you will get the proper answer to that question. The argument over gauge has been going on for years and shows no sign of abating.
Let's look at the physics first: A standard load, 2 3/4" for the 12 gauge can be aproximated as 1 oz at 1250 fps. This generates X footpounds of recoil.
A standard load, 2 3/4" for the 16 gauge can be aproximated as 1 oz at 1250 fps. This generates X footpounds of recoil.
A standard load, 2 3/4" for the 20 gauge can be aproximated as 1 oz at 1250 fps. This generates X footpounds of recoil.
The 12 gauge shot string is this long:
..........
The 16 gauge shot string is this long:
...............
The 20 gauge shot string is this long:
....................
Now, let's look at the practicality question: There are far more load choices in 12 gauge than the others, although the 20 is catching up.
The lighter the weapon, the more of that recoil goes into your shoulder, faster. The better the weapon fits YOU, the less the recoil affects YOU.
The 20 gauge can, generally, be more often found in versions which fit a woman's physique with few modifications.
What it boils down to is that you should choose a gun which fits YOU, with amunition which fits YOU, which YOU can shoot comfortably, and complements YOUR sense of esthetics. No man would say, in front of his buddies, "I think it's PRETTY." Women aren't that dumb.
Pops
Let's look at the physics first: A standard load, 2 3/4" for the 12 gauge can be aproximated as 1 oz at 1250 fps. This generates X footpounds of recoil.
A standard load, 2 3/4" for the 16 gauge can be aproximated as 1 oz at 1250 fps. This generates X footpounds of recoil.
A standard load, 2 3/4" for the 20 gauge can be aproximated as 1 oz at 1250 fps. This generates X footpounds of recoil.
The 12 gauge shot string is this long:
..........
The 16 gauge shot string is this long:
...............
The 20 gauge shot string is this long:
....................
Now, let's look at the practicality question: There are far more load choices in 12 gauge than the others, although the 20 is catching up.
The lighter the weapon, the more of that recoil goes into your shoulder, faster. The better the weapon fits YOU, the less the recoil affects YOU.
The 20 gauge can, generally, be more often found in versions which fit a woman's physique with few modifications.
What it boils down to is that you should choose a gun which fits YOU, with amunition which fits YOU, which YOU can shoot comfortably, and complements YOUR sense of esthetics. No man would say, in front of his buddies, "I think it's PRETTY." Women aren't that dumb.
Pops