Experiences with 12ga mini shells

Suther

Suther

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I'm wondering what sort of experience people have had with 12ga mini shells. Last weekend I took my kids out for their first try at shooting a shotgun, we used my Sinsinati single shot 18" barrel paired with a turkey choke. First we tried 410 through an adapter, but it wasn't very effective - I wasn't paying any attention to what orientation the adapter was installed so in hindsight I feel like that was part of the issue.

Then we switched to federal mini shells. 5/8 oz lead (vs 1/2oz in the 410 loads); the kids definitely felt the increase in recoil but it was still tolerable for them. But the good part is it was FAR more effective for them. I want to try out some other chokes and see how these shells pattern with more open chokes, but I'm thinking the current combo is likely to put a few grouse in the cooler this fall.

Here's my daughter busting a clay on a stand at like 15yds:

https://imgur.com/a/tLgqYXp


So what is everyone else's experience with mini shells? Have you patterned them? Killed anything with em? Compared them head to head with 410?
 
Very little recoil. Ideal for novice shooters, women and kids. Pleasure to shoot at close range. Don't try in semi-auto.
 
The two birdshot choices I've shot are federal #9 and Challenger 7.5 (5/8, 1200 fps). I find they patterned well, even out of my 14 inch Sinsinati. The #4 buck and slugs pack quite a wallop for recoil in the lightweight singles so try them first yourself before the kids. The birdshot loads are super light recoil.. awesome.

I have the Opsol adapter for my 88 and they feed beautifully. Incidentally they feed in the Winchester 120/1200 for some reason, at least the ones I had. Might be a fun next gun for the kids.
 
For feeding I've discovered it's hit and miss, depending on who makes your pump. My 870 defender had few issues, but my mozzie 500 had an issue of them partially turning during the feeding.
 
I had a 590S, and still have a 590A1, first they work flawlessly in a Mossberg 590S, the 590A1 with just the polymer adapter, not so great, so unless it's a single/double, or a pump set up to be reliable say no to mini shells.

As for how they shot, #4 buck Federal, Challenger #4 buck and #4/1 buck Aguila, nice and light for recoil due to the smaller payload, slugs a bit stiffer, more like reduced recoil/LE.

Can't comment on the birdshot as I never shot any, but as usual the Federal buck shot patterned the best.
 
sillymike said:
For recoil sensitive shooters, AA Light Recoil 12 ga 7/8 oz. worked well enough
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2/3 of my kids are under 100lb. I think right now the 5/8oz loads are as much as I want to use, I don't want to create bad habits or turn them off shooting.

Keep in mind they're also using a single shot that weighs less than 5.5lb and doesn't have the softest recoil pad. I have other shotguns that are heavier but a 28" barrel is comically long and front heavy in the hands of a sub-5ft 12 year old.
 
Arcosdad said:
Maybe get a cheap, slim, slip on pad off Amazon to help the felt recoil. Those are great little guns to learn in.
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That would make the LOP too long. It's already on the long side for them. I actually have a slip on pad - I use it to make my sks and Enfield LOP more reasonable - but it wouldn't be a good option in this scenario.

The suggestion is appreciated though.
 
My buddy uses federal and agilua minis in his sulun 211 for street sweeping grouse. When used with the full chokes it works great. The cylinder chokes he had to keep walking up while reloading but he's working with 9.8" barrels.
I've used the Aguilar minis for skeet and it didn't effect my scores much at all except I found out there's only 20rnds per box instead of 25
All in all I just reload a roll crimped 2.5" shell with 7/8s Oz at 1100fps. Recoil seems identical and I get better patterns from every gun used

Hard to tell with her hair blocking the view but if her head was above the stock that would allow it to slap her cheek.
 
For me it's about the gun and the end goal. I love 410s and my daughter is almost long enough in the arms to start shooting them. A scaled 410 offers a trim light weight gun with a wrist of narrower diameter which is better for smaller hands. Match the load and choke and the 410 can reliability kill quite well
A 12ga will throw a wider less dense pattern which offers a better chance of hitting a moving target for newer shooters.
There's pros and cons of both. Mini shells are still cheaper than current 410 prices but in the last couple months that gap has closed.
 
brybenn said:
For me it's about the gun and the end goal. I love 410s and my daughter is almost long enough in the arms to start shooting them. A scaled 410 offers a trim light weight gun with a wrist of narrower diameter which is better for smaller hands. Match the load and choke and the 410 can reliability kill quite well
A 12ga will throw a wider less dense pattern which offers a better chance of hitting a moving target for newer shooters.
There's pros and cons of both. Mini shells are still cheaper than current 410 prices but in the last couple months that gap has closed.
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Yeah the shell price is very similar. I bought the mini shells on sale so they were cheaper than the 410, but regular price it's a wash.

I've thought about getting a 410 many times. I wanted to try out what I've got first though, and I'm not upset with the results. I do have a spare stock for the single shot 12ga I have, the tang inlet isn't quite right so I need to get out the rasp and sandpaper (maybe the dreaded dremel too) at some point and see if I can make it fit. I bought the stock on a whim for cheap to get free shipping from CanadaAmmo a few years ago, so if I screw it up no real harm done.

That said, for the right price I might still get a 410. Gotta find the right gun for the right price though, something with a short LOP preferably...
 
Intersurplus had some euro 410 singles for around $250. Tiny Lil frames and narrow stocks. Some were side lever some were top lever while others were bolt action
 
Arcosdad said:
The two birdshot choices I've shot are federal #9 and Challenger 7.5 (5/8, 1200 fps). I find they patterned well, even out of my 14 inch Sinsinati. The #4 buck and slugs pack quite a wallop for recoil in the lightweight singles so try them first yourself before the kids. The birdshot loads are super light recoil.. awesome.

I have the Opsol adapter for my 88 and they feed beautifully. Incidentally they feed in the Winchester 120/1200 for some reason, at least the ones I had. Might be a fun next gun for the kids.
Click to expand...

I’ve read this too about the Winchester 1200, and just myself a couple boxes to try, if the rain ever stops.
 
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