beginner shotgun - 12? 20? .410?

12ga all the way .... It's the first "shotgun" caliber (and now that I think of it the only one) that I have ever fired, and the only shotgun caliber that resides in my safe.

I would recommened a Rem 870 ... It's a solid design, lots of accesories out there, ready supply of parts in the unlikely event that something breaks (I don't personally know anyone whom has ever broken one however). Also with a manual action you don't have to worry about what brand of ammo you buy, unlike semis which can be finnicky.
 
Start off with a 12 Ga but use light load at first and then move up to buckshot and slugs. The 12 Ga is a good choice because ammo can be sourced easily. 20 Ga would be my next choice.
 
BP7 said:
hey all,

ok, so i was talking to a coworker of mine who has been shooting since he was old enough to walk, and he pointed out that shotgun shooting is a great way to develop speed, reaction time, and ability to track a moving target.

since in handguns everyone-n-their-fish recommends starting with .22LR to develop the core skills, what's the recommendation in the world of shotguns? this would be only to learn those skills, which eventually would be used in handguns and possibly in home defense (NOT in canada, cuz i DO plan on moving eventually so the skills will come with me while the laws will stay behind)

so, am i OK to start with a 12? or is the .410 the cheap-n-easy way to do it? or will something like a 20 or 16 cover all the bases?
Click to expand...

Asking out of curiosity, would you mind elaborating a bit more on those statements? :)
 
4Horse said:
Asking out of curiosity, would you mind elaborating a bit more on those statements? :)
Click to expand...

what exactly do you want me to elaborate on? oh, i suppose he did say specifically "skeet shooting" as opposed to just "shotgun shooting", so maybe that clarifies things a bit?

on the second one? um, well, i have no intentions of learning how to stalk ducks or birds and shoot them. the line right after kinda explains it, though - for eventual home defense. and the part after that clarifies it some more - i don't plan on living in canada forever, so wherever i do move to may allow such use of firearms - so, i'd like to have some skills! perfectly OK if i never have to use them, though!

no, i don't plan on going hunting-for-humans, and "reaction time" and "speed" are also psychological blocks that i have elsewhere in my daily life - so getting my system to react faster to something is a good thing (i tend to hesitate & over-analyze before acting, so this could also help me shake that off)
 
I just bought my first 12 gauge a couple months ago. Also my first ever shotgun. I just shoot the lighter loads from wallyworld.

The thing about shotguns as opposed to rifles is that shotguns can shoot really light or really heavy loads, all depends on what you want.

Just wear earplugs and make sure the recoil pad isn't trying to make a passing imitation as a brick and you'll have a blast.
 
I agree with the 12g camp... The most versatility and largest selection of ammo. If your not really small you should be fine with the recoil if you get a decent pad and learn how to hold the shotgun correctly at your shoulder. Note that factory recoil pads are essentially useless. I have fired 50 slugs and 50 00buckshot rounds out of my 590A1 in about 10 minutes and with the Limbsaver it was not a problem. I am not a fan of recoil (nor does it bother me unduly...) and not particularly macho when it comes to hard kicking firearms...

Jeff
 
I think you should look for an old 8 gauge... And don't forget; hold it about an inch away from your shoulder or it's really going to hurt.





Heheheh.
 
12ga is the most useful and light trap loads should be ok for most people. I wouldn't recommend less than 20ga for general use.

I would agree with those who say that the 410 and even the 28ga are specialty guns for experts or special purposes. Seen too many beginners get frusterated trying to hit anything with a 410 and just give up.
 
there is always the option of going with a combo gun. ie the stoeger condor combo. comes with barrels for 12 and 20 gauges. about twice as much money as a basic 870 express, but does give the option of using 20 gauge when you want it. I guess for the same coin you could pick up an 870 in 12 gauge and one in 20 gauge.

As for shells, both 12 and 20 can be had at walmart for thirty some dollars per hundred shells. can't lose with either.
 
12 guage, everyone's got ammo for it, contrary to what people say, they don't kick like a raped ape, especially if you've got a decent recoil pad on it, but more important is a proper stance when shooting. Lean into it, elbow up to create muscle padding on your shoulder, etc...
I'm a pretty skinny dude, 6'2" and 145 lbs, and I've been shooting 12's since I was 12 years old, only after 100+ rounds did I really feel it the next day back then.
Buy something that shoulder's nicely, and that fits your price bracket. Then go have fun.
 
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