20 or 12 ??? more kick
- Thread starter Camper
- Start date
southwest maddog
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Narrow Ranch
I have an youth 870 in 20 gauge and I feel like it kicks harder than my twelves. It feels like more of a short sharp recoil to me. 
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
12 gauge is the larger shell, launching more shot, and therefore it recoils more. Considerably more actually... I shoot 12's, my 5'2" girlfriend's shotgun's a 20 for instance.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I have an youth 870 in 20 gauge and I feel like it kicks harder than my twelves. It feels like more of a short sharp recoil to me.
More likely than not just gun fit and firearm weight. 12's recoil more, period.
1bigrn
CGN Regular
12 All The Way
THE 12 HAS FAR MORE ENERGY.
All factors being equal the 12 would have more kick.
the only exception would be if the 12 g was significantly heavier.
For example my 10g at 9lbs kicks less than my 12g 6lb gun.
THE 12 HAS FAR MORE ENERGY.
All factors being equal the 12 would have more kick.
the only exception would be if the 12 g was significantly heavier.
For example my 10g at 9lbs kicks less than my 12g 6lb gun.
They recoil the same all else being equal. The laws of physics are the laws of physics.
The weight and speed of the ejecta and the weight of the gun all combine to create recoil no matter which gauge is being shot. A 1 ounce load in an 8lb 12 gauge is going to kick less than a 1-1/4 ounce 3" magnum in a 6lb. 20 gauge.
The speed of the recoil matters too. A gas-operated semi-auto has the same total recoil as a pump except the semi-auto lengthens the recoil pulse so it feels softer. Also gun fit matters. A poorly fitting gun will feel like it is kicking harder.
Moving to a 20 gauge to reduce recoil often makes the problem worse if the gun is lighter and the shot weight and speed are the same.
The weight and speed of the ejecta and the weight of the gun all combine to create recoil no matter which gauge is being shot. A 1 ounce load in an 8lb 12 gauge is going to kick less than a 1-1/4 ounce 3" magnum in a 6lb. 20 gauge.
The speed of the recoil matters too. A gas-operated semi-auto has the same total recoil as a pump except the semi-auto lengthens the recoil pulse so it feels softer. Also gun fit matters. A poorly fitting gun will feel like it is kicking harder.
Moving to a 20 gauge to reduce recoil often makes the problem worse if the gun is lighter and the shot weight and speed are the same.
Yes, listen to grouseman (anyone with that CGN handle HAS to know what he's talking about).
Felt recoil, as in the energy felt in the shoulder, is a factor of:
Even the smallest gauge shotgun can kick like a mule, if the gun is too light for the loads being used. A load that is perfect on a below freezing day, could be too hot on a summer day.
To reduce recoil:
Felt recoil, as in the energy felt in the shoulder, is a factor of:
- the weight of the shot
- the amount and burn rate of the powder
- the weight of the gun
- mitigating factors such as recoil pads and reducers
- the weather
Even the smallest gauge shotgun can kick like a mule, if the gun is too light for the loads being used. A load that is perfect on a below freezing day, could be too hot on a summer day.
To reduce recoil:
- go with a lighter load - 7/8 oz shot instead of 1 oz., 1 1/8 oz rather than 1 1/4 - 1 1/2
- use shells with a lower charge - less powdwer or slower burning (applies mostly to hand loads)
- add weight to the gun (care should be taken not to add too much weight, or to add it all to one end so that the gun's balance is adversely affected)
- add a recoil pad or recoil reducer mechanism
- use loads that were selected for and tested in the same kinds of conditions that you're shooting under
