Starter shotgun?

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amolkapoor

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Hello Everyone,

I shot a shotgun for the first time yesterday, it was a Remington 870 with 12ga buckshot, I gave up after 5 shots at a paper target, and am still sore. I still like the action of a pump action shotgun, is there any way or any model that does not hurt to play with? I would love one, just don't want to be tortured by it every time.

Thanks for your time and advice.



Amol
 
amolkapoor said:
Hello Everyone,

I shot a shotgun for the first time yesterday, it was a Remington 870 with 12ga buckshot, I gave up after 5 shots at a paper target, and am still sore. I still like the action of a pump action shotgun, is there any way or any model that does not hurt to play with? I would love one, just don't want to be tortured by it every time.

Thanks for your time and advice.



Amol
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If the gun is too long or too short it will have more felt recoil.
Also, there are many good recoil pads on the market that can be installed to reduce recoil.
Lastly, the loads you were shooting were likely very heavy , target loads are not nearly so heavy in the recoil department.
Holding the gun properly is also a factor in reducing recoil.
Cat
 
catnthehatt said:
If the gun is too long or too short it will have more felt recoil.
Also, there are many good recoil pads on the market that can be installed to reduce recoil.
Lastly, the loads you were shooting were likely very heavy , target loads are not nearly so heavy in the recoil department.
Holding the gun properly is also a factor in reducing recoil.
Cat
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Thanks Cat,

I will try to look into sizing an practice holding it better next time. Does a smaller gauge like 20 in general mean less recoil? Use would be target and maybe clay shooting.
 
amolkapoor said:
Thanks Cat,

I will try to look into sizing an practice holding it better next time. Does a smaller gauge like 20 in general mean less recoil? Use would be target and maybe clay shooting.
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Well, that can be in certain certain instances, as wit a 20 gauge built on a 12 gauge frame, but generally speaking, the lighter gun will recoil more with the same shot charge and velocity.
A 7/8 oz load in a 12 gauge generally ius pretty easy on recoil, but for years I couldn't shoot a 12 because of the mass of the guns, so shot the lighter 20's instead.
These days i am, back shooting some 12's but keep with lighter shot charges and slightly lower velocity.
I still prefer a lighter weight gun however.
Cat
 
go try a rem 870 20g or a mossy 500 in 20g ,thy are a joy to shot and it is all I use for deer hunting works great ,,Dutch
 
A 12GA 870 with target loads...barely notice recoil, too focused on clays. Just maybe get someone to teach you how to shoot one properly and keep the high power loads to a minimum.
 
dutchhunter said:
go try a rem 870 20g or a mossy 500 in 20g ,thy are a joy to shot and it is all I use for deer hunting works great ,,Dutch
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Do you notice lower recoil on the 20gauge? I'm kind of limited on options so far as the RCMP is sitting on my application for now, and just have what Target or Silverdale will give me, which is mostly 12ga 870.
 
There are several ways to reduce felt recoil. Lighter ammo, recoil pad, heavier firearm, porting, et al. However, if the recoil is just more than you want to play with, look into a gas operated semi-auto.
In any case, how you shoot matters too. Lean into the shotgun a bit. Lets your whole body absorb the recoil vs standing upright and it being absorbed by your shoulder.
 
XTGUN said:
A 12GA 870 with target loads...barely notice recoil, too focused on clays. Just maybe get someone to teach you how to shoot one properly and keep the high power loads to a minimum.
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Could you please tell me which particular ammo you use? I'd like to go try it if I can.
 
XTGUN said:
A 12GA 870 with target loads...barely notice recoil, too focused on clays. Just maybe get someone to teach you how to shoot one properly and keep the high power loads to a minimum.
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Do you know of any ranges around Thunder Bay that welcome new unlicenced shooters?
 
amolkapoor said:
Could you please tell me which particular ammo you use? I'd like to go try it if I can.
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Any brand of target loads will do. Generally 7.5 and 8 shot is what I use when I shoot at clays. You can buy these in bulk too. Challenger bulk, Federal, Winchester, I have used all without any issues. If you go out shooting a 12 GA a couple of times you will get better at handling the recoil and it will not be a problem for you. 12GA is nice because I find it tends to be cheaper on ammo, and most places will have a bigger selection of 12GA ammo. Birdshot is good for high volume shooting. Buck and Slug is good for tacticool guys and disintegrating misbehaving printers, etc.
 
i 2nd the semi auto recommendation. recoil will be lessened due to it cycling the action. also, consider shooting target load (lower velocity will be better for you too), not buckshot. you shoulder will thank you.

good for you knowing when to stop and not hurting yourself! they sure are fun though.
 
wd123 said:
i 2nd the semi auto recommendation. recoil will be lessened due to it cycling the action. also, consider shooting target load (lower velocity will be better for you too), not buckshot. you shoulder will thank you.

good for you knowing when to stop and not hurting yourself! they sure are fun though.
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I am going to try for that next time, yesterday it seemed like they were limited with options, or maybe their stuff was just up for repair or something, as I was the only one shooting at the time in their range besides another guy who brought his own firearms.

I actually asked them for lower recoil shotgun ammo, but they said they only use buckshot. Go figure, options are limited when you don't have your licence. I hope the RCMP gets done with it soon!
 
amolkapoor said:
Do you notice lower recoil on the 20gauge? I'm kind of limited on options so far as the RCMP is sitting on my application for now, and just have what Target or Silverdale will give me, which is mostly 12ga 870.
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Hey amolkapoor~nobody has asked you what you plan to do with the shotgun you end-up with...so I will! :) Sounds as though you're just getting started, and, the guns/loads you've exposed yourself too are both pretty heavy. Buckshot is a heavy hitter with very few hunting applications in Canada, so keep that in mind. Punishing yourself with buckshot if you plan on only shooting clays (trap/skeet/sporting clays, etc.) isn't necessary.

If by "Target" you're referring to "Target Sports", chances are (being an indoor range) they only let you shoot that...or slugs so that you're not peppering other shooter's targets. As a new shooter, you may have come to the conclusion that all 12ga. guns kick like a mule if that's all you've ever tried. Not the case at all. The 870 is a heavy gun and with proper hold, actually reduces felt recoil over a much lighter gun, so that's one thing to consider. I've seen new shooters with a less-than-ideal hold look shocked by the recoil...then..hold the gun slightly away from their shoulder on the next shot (understandable)...not realizing that makes recoil feel 10x worse. If you're an adult-sized shooter, holding a 12ga. pump properly, recoil with slugs or buckshot is substantial...but shouldn't be punishing. Remember too~they're not "target" loads either. Nobody (I know) sits for an afternoon shooting slugs or buckshot. It's kind of purpose-made stuff...and that purpose is rarely targets. At least, not allot of targets. :)

20ga vs. 12ga~2 main factors (outside of proper hold) governing recoil is the weight of the projectile(s), and the gun's weight. Heavy load/light gun=higher recoil. Heavy gun/light load=lower recoil. That same 12ga. 870 shooting #8 target loads~I bet you could do that all day.

Lastly...to try and answer the question you asked at face value~semi auto (auto-loading) shotguns tend to feel a little lighter in the recoil dept. Some more than others. I own a few 870s, but got a chance to shoot a Remington Versamax Tactical last summer. Semi auto, heavy gun, but the softest-shooting 12ga. I've ever shot.
 
Shooting a heavy load like buckshot with a shotgun you aren't accustomed to probably did not help with your recoil issue.

Stick with 12g, and shoot lighter loads designed for clays.
Also practice your stance and how you hold the gun. Lean forward a bit, least dominant foot forward, own it...
 
Thanks for the detialed information .22LRGUY, I am just getting started, hadn't handled a firearm in 16years before this February 2015. My idea is to target shoot indoors and outdoors(yes, it was Target Sports in Gormley yesterday), and maybe gradually on to shooting clays.

I quite like the pump action of the 870, and was trying to hold it as good and snug in the fleshy part between chest and shoulder, but still got kicked around a bit :(
So basically I need to figure out a way to shoot not hundreds, but hopefully still tens of rounds without getting punched each time :p

Do the recoil pads from Remington help much?

.22LRGUY said:
Hey amolkapoor~nobody has asked you what you plan to do with the shotgun you end-up with...so I will! :) Sounds as though you're just getting started, and, the guns/loads you've exposed yourself too are both pretty heavy. Buckshot is a heavy hitter with very few hunting applications in Canada, so keep that in mind. Punishing yourself with buckshot if you plan on only shooting clays (trap/skeet/sporting clays, etc.) isn't necessary.

If by "Target" you're referring to "Target Sports", chances are (being an indoor range) they only let you shoot that...or slugs so that you're not peppering other shooter's targets. As a new shooter, you may have come to the conclusion that all 12ga. guns kick like a mule if that's all you've ever tried. Not the case at all. The 870 is a heavy gun and with proper hold, actually reduces felt recoil over a much lighter gun, so that's one thing to consider. I've seen new shooters with a less-than-ideal hold look shocked by the recoil...then..hold the gun slightly away from their shoulder on the next shot (understandable)...not realizing that makes recoil feel 10x worse. If you're an adult-sized shooter, holding a 12ga. pump properly, recoil with slugs or buckshot is substantial...but shouldn't be punishing. Remember too~they're not "target" loads either. Nobody (I know) sits for an afternoon shooting slugs or buckshot. It's kind of purpose-made stuff...and that purpose is rarely targets. At least, not allot of targets. :)

20ga vs. 12ga~2 main factors (outside of proper hold) governing recoil is the weight of the projectile(s), and the gun's weight. Heavy load/light gun=higher recoil. Heavy gun/light load=lower recoil. That same 12ga. 870 shooting #8 target loads~I bet you could do that all day.

Lastly...to try and answer the question you asked at face value~semi auto (auto-loading) shotguns tend to feel a little lighter in the recoil dept. Some more than others. I own a few 870s, but got a chance to shoot a Remington Versamax Tactical last summer. Semi auto, heavy gun, but the softest-shooting 12ga. I've ever shot.
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