Female 12 gauge

MShymka said:
Thanks. I’ll take a look at that.
Click to expand...
https://store.theshootingcentre.com/beretta-a400-xcel-sporting-kick-off-shotgun/

I’d suggest something like this. I’ve got an a400 xtreme plus and do a lot of sporting clays. Whenever we bring our misses’ they typically prefer my shotgun. A 3” chamber and setting it up properly so the center of gravity is back a little further, taking out the LOP extensions, etc would make it even better for a smaller statured shooter.
 
My daughter started shooting trap and skeet at 13 and we went with an 1100 remington as I did not have unlimited resources back then. Correct fit was essential and I had the stock shortend by a friend and she did pretty well with it winning a couple ladies and non classified trophys in her teens. Now with the funding I have going down that road Beretta a 400 with kick off and 2.5" shells probably has less recoil than a 28g. Just my .02 oh and she still shoots the 1100 but we had to put some stock spacers in it.
 
MShymka said:
Hey Anthony. Not necessarily set on 12 gauge. I was actually thinking 20 gauge originally because she’s pretty petite (5’7”/120) and new to shooting. But her female firearms instructor suggested 12 gauge with recoil reducer. She will just be shooting skeet’s with me.
Mike
Click to expand...
12 gauge Remington 11-87 with a ported barrel
 
Rob! said:
You say she'll just be shooting skeet with you. That takes out short barrels which are not permitted at some clubs. There are competing issues with weight. A small frame gun is easier to hold up and swing. It does lack the weight that soaks up recoil though.

Not sure why your instructor was recommending 12ga. Many skeet shooters would argue that 28ga is no handicap at all for skeet. 3/4 oz loads at a moderate 1200fps are very soft even with a light weight gun - and if you reload are cheaper than 12ga. 28ga pretty much requires reloading as factory is pretty pricey. If you start her right, this will most assuredly not be her last gun. ;)

Though we may disagree on much, I think we'd all agree it's a good idea to try a variety before buying. To that end, it might help to fill out your profile so we know where you live and shoot. I shoot mostly at Silver Willow North of Calgary and I have a variety of 12ga and 28ga, gas semi, pump and O/U - most of them with shortened LOP that she'd be more than welcome to try. (Most shooters are more than happy to show their guns and to help a new shooter on their journey.)

Best of luck to you both.
Click to expand...
Thank you very much. That’s a lot of good information. I’m north of Edmonton so could make a trip out your way. I’m new to the group and will get my profile filled out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: C10
Get some AA® Low Recoil/Low Noise Target Loads and it probably won't matter much what kind of gun she's shooting.
Barring that a gas operated semi is best because they are fairly light but don't have as much felt recoil as a break action gun. Having said that remember that no matter what kind of gun it is if it doesn't fit pretty good then she may get more recoil than she wants.
 
Having 3 granddaughters who are quite (petite 5 feet 110 pounds) finding a shotgun for them has been a challenge. No matter which firearms you choose starting with good pad and or recoil system is a plus. Having the shotgun fitted for length of pull is another good idea. The issue with 12 or 20 or 28 is the size of the piece. 12 gauge shotguns may be too physically big or heavy for small shooters. The advantage of 20 or 28 gauge is the smaller frame size. Semi autos may reduce recoil better than other types. All considered a fitted medium not light weight 20 or 28 gauge with a good pad or recoil system which functions with target shells would go a long ways to be what you are looking for. If hunting ducks or geese use not steel but the next shells up before bismuth cant remember what they are called. My one granddaughter went from knocking off feathers to making some triples with these premium shells. Downside the shells are incredibly expensive but how many boxes are going to be use in a year.
 
.45automatic said:
Definitely not a Kel Tec. I'd recommend a Mossberg Mariner with the 20" barrel or a 14" barrel Mossberg Shockwave with a stock. There are pistol grip stocks. Knoxx has a springing recoil reducing one, but it's pricey. Not much recoil with a normal OEM butt or ATI AR style one, even gen 1 old ones. Open loading gate is easy on the fingers, especially in the cold. Quicker to top off.
Click to expand...
To short if she wants to shoot clays.
 
Falconflyer said:
Get some AA® Low Recoil/Low Noise Target Loads and it probably won't matter much what kind of gun she's shooting.
Barring that a gas operated semi is best because they are fairly light but don't have as much felt recoil as a break action gun. Having said that remember that no matter what kind of gun it is if it doesn't fit pretty good then she may get more recoil than she wants.
Click to expand...
Most semi guns have issues with light target loads. O/U
 
Remington 1100 is my go to gun for new shooters. Gotta love a gas gun for taming recoil and won’t break the bank.
Look for an older 2 3/4 chambered 26” ribbed barrel gun with a more open choke, IC preferred for skeet, or modified will make you be a little more precise.
Get the stock shortened by somebody who knows what he is doing, too many new shooters experience pain from recoil because the stock is too long and forces them into an improper gun mount. My guess would be somewhere around 13 1/2” LOP.
If that is too heavy look for a Remington 11-87 Compact in 20 ga. to get you going. Most girls and kids of smaller stature can lift that sweetheart with comfort and after a couple of months they will have built up the strength to handle a 12 ga.
Have fun on your journey!
Jim
 
Do you plan on doing any shotgun shell reloading?
If you are you can make lower recoiling 12 guage or 20 guage rounds to take the sting off in order to get her used to shooting the gun and then can work your way up to full power loads
If you go this route you will have to get a pump or break action as weaker loads don’t work as good with a semi auto
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom