Too much emphasis here on Gauge. A 12 ga 1OZ load at 1200fps is producing the same recoil energy as a 20 ga 1 OZ load at 1200fps. The extra weight of the 12ga frame will soak up more of the energy, so perceived recoil will be more in the 20ga. (assuming same action)
Female 12 gauge
- Thread starter MShymka
- Start date
Most 12ga shotguns are simply too big & heavy for lady shooters.
My wife chose the 20ga Beretta Vittoria because it is designed as a lady's shotgun and lighter than a 12ga.
I do agree with you that a heavier 12ga will soak up more recoil, but I think proper fit is much more important.
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The AA low recoil/low noise loads I refer to are 26 gram at 980 fps and shoot very soft, if you/she goes for a 12 gauge then I'd highly recommend these. If you hand load then there are lots of published low recoil loads to chose from.
As Rob mentioned above, 12 gauge 1 oz loads at 1200 fps stll produce as much recoil as 1 1/8 oz loads at a slightly slower velocity so don't get fooled by the payload, you have to look at the speed too. The Winchester Super Target 1 oz 1145 fps loads are some of the softest target loads available too.
You will have to show your wife a bunch of different guns and have her try them out and it's important that you let her decide which gun to go with. An o/u or a 12 guage may be too heavy but maybe not, let her decide that.
My wife is 5' 5" and weights 130 lbs and she handles a 12 gauge Beretta 682 o/u very well and has done for years. She shoots regular target loads without any complaints but these guns mitigate recoil quite well. I've seen lots of other smaller women handling o/u guns very well too so again... let her decide.
I started out my daughters on a Remington 1100 20 guage LW and that was a good choice. These guns are fairly heavy and the gas systems mitigate recoil well. Now that my grandkids are just about big enough to shoot I wish that I hadn't gotten rid of that gun.
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
Yes, especially for recoil shy folks. The 20 be plenty good for grouse & quail along with clay busting.
Ok, thanks I appreciate the response. But, this is also why I’m getting confused. You are saying the same thing as my wife’s recent firearms instructor. However, I’m hearing many differing opinions which say that the 20 gauge has less recoil. The shotgun that I’ve started looking at for her is a Franchi Affinity Catalyst in 12g or 20g semi auto. About 1lb difference in weight.
Thanks again for the response. I’ll let her decide for sure. Just want to narrow down some options for her. As for action, can you share your opinion please on semi auto vs o/u? It seems to me that a semi will absorb some more recoil and seem to be less expensive. O/u may add some weight but maybe more reliable. Am I on the right track?
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
You are precisely on the right track.
A gas system in a semi spreads the recoil pulse over a longer period of time than a break action or pump action gun giving the impression of reduced recoil but I find that women will soon dislike semi auto's if they aren't 100 percent reliable and frankly I can't blame them. There's a reason why the majority of shooters who shoot several thousand rounds per year gravitate toward over and under guns.
Thanks. I’ve thought a lot about weight but and LOP but never really thought about overall length. That’s something I’ll have to consider.
A well fitted medium to heavy weight 20 or 28 gauge with a good pad or recoil system would be my best suggestion. It would be helpful to try different gauges and shotguns if at all possible. Nothing wrong with having both a sub gauge and a 12 gauge either. My son had a Winchester pump in 20 gauge that for whatever reason kicked like a mule. It isnt just the gauge that reduces recoil it is the configuration of the shotgun. An example of a softer recoiling piece would be a Remington 1100 autoloader in 20 or 28 gauge.
Four pages, and yet no one has listed an affordable ladies gun.
I always thought there would be a little marketing niche in the shotgun world for ladies.
And no, I am not some squirmy Liberal. I am thinking Ka-Ching in shotgun marketing.
Meanwhile, what sort of stock dimension's are required for a female shooter.
Has anyone ever asked that beautiful lady Susan Nattress what a girl requires? I met her when I was 14 years old. She is one smart person.
Just wondering.
I always thought there would be a little marketing niche in the shotgun world for ladies.
And no, I am not some squirmy Liberal. I am thinking Ka-Ching in shotgun marketing.
Meanwhile, what sort of stock dimension's are required for a female shooter.
Has anyone ever asked that beautiful lady Susan Nattress what a girl requires? I met her when I was 14 years old. She is one smart person.
Just wondering.
So Syren, Franchi, Fausti, Beretta Vittoria even Mossberg builds ladies guns .But who can afford that (except the mossberg) on a whim. Used guns offer more of a chance that if it goes sidewards you could probably get your money back. Don't know how long or if you could sell a gun specifically built for women.
bdft
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
A lot of the reason that women lean back when shouldering a shotgun or rifle is the weight out in front of their support arm. Women in general have less upper body strength than men and have more difficulty holding up a long barreled gun.
Challenger Target #8, 20Ga, 7/8Oz. is $19.99/25.
Comparable Winchester Super-Target is $18.99
Similar 12Ga ammo (1 or 1-1/8 Oz.) is usually $15.99
Occasionally, it goes on sale for $12.99
Sample pricing is from Cabela’s, and you might get a better deal elsewhere.
Comparable Winchester Super-Target is $18.99
Similar 12Ga ammo (1 or 1-1/8 Oz.) is usually $15.99
Occasionally, it goes on sale for $12.99
Sample pricing is from Cabela’s, and you might get a better deal elsewhere.
Speaking strictly with my own daughters exp. she had an issue with eye dominance it would alternate hence having to close one eye which took her a while too master. I'm saying this as a friend of mines daughter gave up with shooting because of I believe the same thing,and looking into it further it is not uncommon in women more so than men.
Used would be great. Seem impossible to find though.
