I want to get a 20 ga semi but know nothing about semi’s, I had a sxp 12ga, and liked it, but the recoil was a little much for my injured shoulder, what would you suggest would be good for clay targets, rabbits, a close shot at a deer. Just a good all round walking in the woods 20 ga semi. Gas vs inertia? What brand, I was thinking mossberg sa20? Thanks in advance for all replies.
Help, I am looking for a 20ga semi??
- Thread starter hank2
- Start date
My semi auto waterfowl shotgun is a Winchester SX3 in 12ga...
Why not look at another Winchester if your SXP fits you?
I would not hesitate to recommend the SX3, and they now have an SX4 model in 20ga...
Cheers
Jay
Why not look at another Winchester if your SXP fits you?
I would not hesitate to recommend the SX3, and they now have an SX4 model in 20ga...
Cheers
Jay
If you are protecting an injured shoulder from recoil, pick a heavy gun and shoot lighter loads, as in a lighter load of shot like 1 oz, not 1 1/8” oz. And pick a load that is slower, more like 1200 fps, not 1400 fps.
Recoil has nothing to do with gauge and everything to do with weight of the gun, weight of the ejecta and the speed it’s accelerated to. Obviously, some recoil is soaked up by the reloading mechanism in semis.
Recoil has nothing to do with gauge and everything to do with weight of the gun, weight of the ejecta and the speed it’s accelerated to. Obviously, some recoil is soaked up by the reloading mechanism in semis.
I recently picked up a Charles Daly 601 compact on the EE and because of the length of pull i added a limbsaver slip on recoil pad on to lengthen the buttstock out to fit me a bit better.
The combination of the 20ga, gas semi and extra limbsaver really makes for a mild recoil, even less than most other semi 20ga's i've shot.
I grabbed the 601 because i wanted the shorter 22" barrel, but after shooting it that would be my suggestion, whatever you get get a youth/compact version or second shorter buttstocks and an extra slip on pad and/or one of the PAST pads you put on your shoulder under your shirt.
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Shooter_01
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Durham Region, Ontario
If the 12-gauge weighs more and the shells are the same, the 12-gauge recoils less.If the shells are the same and the 20 gauge weighs less, it recoils more.
If you reload yourself, try making up some 7/8 shells, or try a short shell with a 5/8 load. Most times even a slip on recoil pad helps quite abit.
If you reload yourself, try making up some 7/8 shells, or try a short shell with a 5/8 load. Most times even a slip on recoil pad helps quite abit.
leveractionjunkie
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Kamloops, BC
For light recoiling shotguns you simply can’t beat a gas operated auto. Two of the softest are the A400 and the Versamax. I own the versamax and it is the softest shooting shotgun I’ve ever used. It’s ridiculous really. I am at 1200rnds since last cleaning and it still cycles 3/4oz reloads which to me is nuts for a 3.5” gun. They are a bit sluggish but recoil is non existent. 7/8oz reloads cycle the action same as any other load.
I’ve shot an A400 in the field and it too is a very soft shooter but haven’t tried it with target loads.
The issue with some 20’s is as mentioned they’re light and therefore can feel as if they recoil more like a 12 in a fixed breach gun.
I’ve shot an A400 in the field and it too is a very soft shooter but haven’t tried it with target loads.
The issue with some 20’s is as mentioned they’re light and therefore can feel as if they recoil more like a 12 in a fixed breach gun.
huntingfish
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Quebec City
Before I sold my 601 20ga (standard version, not compact version) and my 12 year old could shoot it. Recoil was very mild.
My beretta a400 xplor 20ga is extremely soft shooting. The lighter trimmer gun helps with bad shoulders as its lighter to carry and easier to swing. Another option is the same gun in 28ga depending on its use. For upland and small game the 28ga is even lighter and softer shooting. Waterfowl loads can be an issue in 28ga however
I picked up a Charles Daly N4S bullpup...not the best for clays, but i love carrying it in the woods. short, so not getting hung up on branches or bumping fallen trees when its hanging at your side. I put 500 shells through without cleaning before the first FTE. Cleaned it and am now another 250 shells in without a failure. so far so good.
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
I shoot a Super X3 in 20ga. Wonderful gun, just the right amount of weight for a 20 capable of shooting 3" ammunition if you think you might? My wife has a Beretta A400 Xplor in 20ga and it is a full pound lighter than my SX3 and is much more lively a gun when fired. Muzzle jump and felt recoil are very noticeable compared with the SX3. With 2 3/4" field loads both guns are extremely light recoiling. I've never had any cycling issues and I shoot the gun a fair amount as I use it exclusively for all my hunting and skeet shooting. I put up to about 2000 rounds a year through it and I clean it maybe every 500-750 rounds and it just hums along fine.
