Recoil & Questions:

Silver_wlf

Silver_wlf

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Hi!

Okay - so I was reading about recoil and how it's more noticible in pumps than semis... which I understand since some of the gas is used to cycle the action.

So then I figured that the recoil on an o/u is less than a pump because it's a heavier gun. Is this correct or is recoil basically the same for both these types?

Sorry - I'm researching types and guns hoping to find the right fit for me and I was having this conversation with a friend and we couldn't come to a consensus on this. I knew you guys would know.

Thanks!
 
Gun fit is everything, Silver ... recoil is a combination of the amount of lead and acceleration of that lead in the barrel.

Generally, O/U target guns are heavier, which will absorb felt recoil. Most times people shoot the bottom barrel of an O/U. As a result the recoil tends to come straight back into the body as opposed to a top barrel, which tends to go up into the face.

Trap shooters tend to shoot heavier loads in rapid succession. As a result they tend to have more recoil issues than other clay sports. Hence the development of the release trigger. I know trap shooters that have spent huge sums of money on custom stocks to get that perfect fit.
 
Silver_wlf said:
So then I figured that the recoil on an o/u is less than a pump because it's a heavier gun. Is this correct or is recoil basically the same for both these types?
Click to expand...

O/U shotguns are not necessarily heavier than pumps. There are some really light O/U shotguns out there. The recoil will be the same if they weigh the same.
 
Silver_wlf said:
Okay - so I was reading about recoil and how it's more noticible in pumps than semis... which I understand since some of the gas is used to cycle the action.
Click to expand...

Generally that's true. Not ALWAYS in every case, but generally yes. Of course some semis are much easier in recoil than other semis...they are not created equal. If you buy a high dollar Benelli with the advanced recoil buttstock, it will be smoother to your body than say a Remington 1100, or a Browning Auto-5.


Silver_wlf said:
So then I figured that the recoil on an o/u is less than a pump because it's a heavier gun. Is this correct or is recoil basically the same for both these types?
Click to expand...

The gun's MECHANICAL recoil velocity will be affected most by the weight: if they weigh the same, and the same shells are used, and neither taps gas from the action, then the mechanical velocity of the recoil will be the same.

But there is that other factor: the shooter. Some are more sensitive to recoil than others. The way the stock fits when you are holding it on a clay, is a major part of how much recoil you feel, and can also affect your ability to get a good score at Trap or Skeet. Then there are the cushions: a nice rubber buttpad can do wonders for your shoulder over 5 games of trap (125 rounds in an afternoon), and a large number recommend "Limbsaver" buttpads. Also, if you want to have the fancy Benelli soft cheekweld onto the stock (beneficial if you shoot Magnum loads at all, or do lots of Trap/Skeet at a time) then Kick-Eze makes a cheek pad to stick on any typical shotgun stock. My buddy has that and the Limbsaver on his Remington, and it's MUCH nicer after a couple of games!


Silver_wlf said:
Sorry - I'm researching types and guns hoping to find the right fit for me and I was having this conversation with a friend and we couldn't come to a consensus on this. I knew you guys would know.
Click to expand...

Find a busy but relaxed Trap club, talk w the members about what choices you should look for. Some may let you try theirs. This past Sunday I got to try a Beretta Urika and some newer Browning semi that felt nearly recoilless.
 
Recoil is proportional to the weight of the firearm. Given that a round is equal in two different weights of guns, it will have more recoil in the lighter gun. Gas operation does take away some kick, but its more noticeable in a lighter gun than a heavy one.
 
You haven't said what your gun will be used for, but for skeet and upland hunting, perhaps a 20 ga would be a better match for you than a 12 if you are overly concerned about recoil. Semi-automatic gas guns produce less felt recoil than any others, but their recoil or inertia operated counterparts tend to produce recoil similar to a pump. A stock that is too long for you will increase the felt recoil, to the extent that even gentle field loads can be objectionable for some people. Your shooting position also has an effect on felt recoil. If you assume a boxer's stance, with your forward knee bent and lean forward slightly, this allows the recoil impulse to travel across your chest and down your rearward leg, minimizing the amount of recoil you feel.

Controlling recoil is 90% mental and 10% practical. You should be able to overcome a reasonable amount of recoil, but that's not to say you should start with a 12 ga 3.5" magnum. But choose your gun with the type of shooting you want to do as the criteria, rather than choosing a gun for it's ability to control the recoil impulse. When you get you gun begin with skeet or field loads, then work up to high velocity shot loads, and finally slugs and magnum loads as your resilience to recoil increases. When you are shooting, take a brake now and then to prevent the gun from hurting you. Once it has hurt you, flinching is only a shot away. Wear hearing protection as ear pain is a greater concern for most people than recoil discomfort.
 
I was concerned about recoil too when i started.... then I shot my uncles cooey single shot 12ga shooting old goose loads...(we were told to go use up those old shells)

shooting stationary targets it hurt... shooting moving targets (pop cans filled with water, then thrown) it seemed the recoil was cut in half.

personally I dont notice any difference between my semi and my pump in terms of recoil... but that single was light and had a metal butt plate.
 
There are plenty of women shooting 12 gauge O/U, Pumps and Semi's. Just make sure the gun fits you and that you get a proper sight alignment every time you shoulder it. Like someone else says if you have not shot shotgun too much play with a 20 gauge for a bit and then move up when you feel the recoil is not a problem. PS. I've had 20 gauge guns that didn't fit well and kicked me harder than a 12 gauge.

Recoil will be non existent while hunting because adrenaline kicks in. And for regular range or fun shooting sticking to 1 1/8 oz loads to get used to how your gun shoots and how the recoil operates.

Get out to the range and borrow a few guns or maybe a friends close to home.
My wife just told me she will start coming out shooting with me again as long as my dad does not come, he is bossy and thinks he knows everything about everything. Don't get a teacher like that it is annoying.

Just don't go and pattern 3.5" turkey loads out of a 7 lb semi... I'll tell ya that hurts.
 
As been said, fit-fit=fit. Try guns of some friends. Go to the range, bring some shells, ask to try some of the guns the skeet shooters are useing. Recoil while hunting,to me, is less important then it is while shooting skeet. I have shot o/u that kick the hell out of me. That is only do to fit. All things being equall an auto will be less.
 
I agree with fit, but it also has a bit to do with holding the gun properly also. If I shoot a gun like a Remington 870 pump action, and shoot a Browning Silver semi auto using the exact same loads, I don't find much of a difference in recoil. In fact, I had a really nice limbsaver recoil pad on my old Rem 870, and I actually thought that it had less recoil than my buddies Browning silver, with a factory original recoil pad.
 
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