Mainly a Mainer
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No offense, but a 28ga is a bad choice as a starter gun for someone new in shooting clay targets. It'd work fine for relatively close-in targets perhaps from a small thrower, but don't waste your money on one, as it'll be too limited in comparison to something much more well rounded like a 12ga gas gun. For clay targets, it and the .410 should really be considered more "expert guns" than "starter guns". Ammo is more expensive and less common, too.
A much, much better choice would be a gas operated 12ga with screw-in chokes using the lightest loads, such as a nice used Remington 1100 or better yet, a Beretta 390 or 391. A brand new synthetic Beretta 390 can be had in the vicinity of $500-$550, and a used one even less.
Try to stay away from the over/unders and pumps, too (any gauge). They'll beat her up more and it'll just be a less enjoyable experience.
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I think a good 20 gauge in a 870 pump or 1100 auto would be great. There are light field loads and she could work up to heavier stuff after she gets used to it. If a 10 year old kid can shoot one she can
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| Posts: 121 | Location: Sugar Land Texas | Registered: December 30, 2007 |  |
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interesting. We already have a mossberg 20ga. pump (500?) Maybe some reduced loads would work. I just thought getting the reward of hitting the clay, without the fear of felt recoil was a good reason to go 28ga. I'm glad I asked. Any other opinions?? Thanks.
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"There are over 550 Million firearms in worldwide circulation, that's 1 firearm for every 12 people on the planet. The only question is......... How do we arm the other 11??" -Lord of War
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| Posts: 678 | Location: Vermont or Mass. | Registered: January 07, 2006 | |
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100% Pure Evil
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Clayshooter is on the right track. Skeet loads are pretty mild. A smaller bore will just make her frustrated with missing.
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Yes, I am an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial.
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| Posts: 10866 | Location: Manassas, Virginia | Registered: October 12, 2002 | |
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Don't throw out the option of a quality shoulder pad, either.
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Remington makes a "field" grade 870 pump in 20 gauge. They are parko and have kind of bargain basement wood, but shoot well. My brother got two of them for his kids to abate the 12ga. recoil factor. Now he uses them for most of his hunting other than ducks and geese. Much lighter and less obnoxious in recoil that the 12 gauge. Just a thought.
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Resident BoneCrusher
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Remington 870 12 gauge with a "Limb Saver" recoil pad with light loads.
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Little ray
of sunshine
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Gas guns. No pumps. Gas guns, like the Berettas or an 1100, are the softest shooters. I would prefer to have her use the 12, because more pellets are more pellets, but if she is truly recoil shy, then the 20 is a good choice. The 20 doesn't give away too much to the 12 at close (skeet) ranges. At more than 25 yards the difference becomes more noticeable, and the higher pellet count in the 12 begins to be more significant. No to the 28 and the .410. They are expert's guns.
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Ohhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
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| Posts: 8811 | Location: Texas | Registered: February 10, 2004 | |
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I Wanna Missile
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You can find Remingtons and Mossbergs, and I assume other makers, in "youth" models that might fit her better as well. There's a 20g Remington 870 Express youth model in a local pawnshop here for $300.
"I am a Soldier. I fight where I'm told and I win where I fight."
GEN George S. Patton, Jr.
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| Posts: 4678 | Location: Colorado | Registered: January 25, 2006 | |
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We bought my wife (5'3") a Rem 1187 20 ga. Youth model. She does quite well at trap with it. Ammo is reasonably priced. Now, we just need to make sure she's getting a good cheek weld. I would recommend the 20-ga 1187.
Don't shoot, I'm with the science team!
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| Posts: 4663 | Location: Arizona | Registered: July 30, 2003 | |
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Member
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Try a Charles Daly 20 ga auto shotgun ; good gun + great price, IMO. Also be sure to use 3/4 or 7/8 ounce loads at modest velocity to reduce recoil to the minimum. They will still shred clay just fine. Good on you for introducing a new shooter to the sport.YMMV
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| Posts: 400 | Location: Colorado | Registered: May 25, 2007 | |
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Member
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I am in the same position. My wife can shoot only about 20 rounds with our 870 (pump) 12ga and then is done. 12 auto may be the way to go without giving up performance.
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Member
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I think a 20 gauge is perfect. In fact, a lot of guys could benefit from it. Several clay shooters I have spoken too said when they went from 12 to 20 they broke more clays.
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Regret: It hurts to admit when you’ve made mistakes, but when they’re big enough, the pain only lasts a second.
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| Posts: 2786 | Location: NC, USA | Registered: November 11, 2004 | |
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Member
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quote: Originally posted by clayshooter:
No offense, but a 28ga is a bad choice as a starter gun for someone new in shooting clay targets. It'd work fine for relatively close-in targets perhaps from a small thrower, but don't waste your money on one, as it'll be too limited in comparison to something much more well rounded like a 12ga gas gun. For clay targets, it and the .410 should really be considered more "expert guns" than "starter guns". Ammo is more expensive and less common, too.
A much, much better choice would be a gas operated 12ga with screw-in chokes using the lightest loads, such as a nice used Remington 1100 or better yet, a Beretta 390 or 391. A brand new synthetic Beretta 390 can be had in the vicinity of $500-$550, and a used one even less.
Try to stay away from the over/unders and pumps, too (any gauge). They'll beat her up more and it'll just be a less enjoyable experience.
I'd recommend a 20ga Beretta 391. |
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| Posts: 1080 | Location: Georgia | Registered: March 26, 2003 | |
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Member
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Federal makes a 900 fps / 7.5 shot that is a lot lower recoil and quieter. I think it's called Top Gun. It does come in 12 ga. So maybe you have to order it and try a few boxes yourself. One of the clubs around here uses it for youth shooters. Though I would always recommend buying another shotgun. Good luck.
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| Posts: 84 | Location: S.E. Michigan | Registered: October 20, 2001 | |
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Member
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First I'm not a clay shooter so I can't comment on breaking birds, I'm more of a combat shotgun guy, but I would have to agree with the idea of a reduced load to get her into shotguns.
Like I say my shotgun is a 12ga Mossberg 500 with the combat M4 type stock and pistol grip, so it's not designed to reduce recoil, but I regularly practice with Federal #8 multi-purpose loads (100 round value packs from Wally World) and the recoil is very light. Lighter by far than any of my .308 rifles. With a full sized shotgun and good recoil pad it would be super light. My wife (very much in the petite group) shoots my shotgun with this load and has never complained about it, and she thinks a 9mm handgun or .223 rifle kicks too much.
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quote: Originally posted by FHFD5241:
interesting. We already have a mossberg 20ga. pump (500?) Maybe some reduced loads would work. I just thought getting the reward of hitting the clay, without the fear of felt recoil was a good reason to go 28ga. I'm glad I asked. Any other opinions?? Thanks.
Save your money. Sounds like you already have the answer at hand.
CHESSTER
Proud NDN
P6
P226 WG 9mm
P228 WG
P230
P232
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| Posts: 45 | Location: Dixie | Registered: August 11, 2008 | |
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