A fella wants to give me a .12 gauge pump.
I don't want that much ouch.

Is there an ammo out there for the .12 ga. That could be used for S.D. ?

So .20 ga. Performance and kick
Out of a .12 ga.

I've seen the short shells
But nothing address's performance or recoil

While it still won't be quite down to 20 gauge recoil level, there are a number of different "low recoil" 12 gauge loads offered by various shotgun shell companies that cut down on the 12 gauge shotgun's usual thump.

Federal, Fiocchi, PMC, Remington, Winchester, Hornady, etc. all offer these "low recoil" 12 gauge loads.

They'll be noted on the box as "low recoil", "reduced recoil", or "managed recoil" loads. Some examples:

I've never gotten "ouch" from shooting a 12 ga., even after a couple rounds of skeet, trap, or sporting clays, and I'm a skinny guy ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Maybe a >< bit of soreness, but, nothing particularly remarkable.

Trick is to have it properly-seated on the shoulder. Then it's just a big, sharp push that's not uncomfortable.

Be one with your shotgun. Hold it close, lean in and move with it in unison. Then it just pushes instead punches.

A LimbSaver pad will help too.

I can vouch for Federal's Low Recoil loads. Can shoot it all day. No more ouch than my Mini-14.

Aside from the above advice, make sure the stock fits you properly when a recoil pad is included.

Pay to have it adjusted if need be.

You can't make big shotgun boo-boos on baddies without noticeable recoil, but you can manage it as much as possible.

I'm telling you these things as someone that has probably been momentarily unconscious from 12ga. slugs a few times.

If you reload then reload only 3/4oz, 7/8oz or 1oz in your shells. You can buy 1oz loads that are milder too. Recoil is primarily caused by the amount of shot you are sending down the barrel (remember for ever action there is an equal opposite reaction). You can also get softer recoil by using slower burning powders which spreads the opposite reaction over a longer period. The 3/4oz loads will actually be milder than 20 gauge. I shot 3/4oz for years in registered sheet and trap with no noticeable difference in scores.

Thank you to those choosing to help
I don't reload.


But that makes me wonder about finding the specs for a .20 ga. Full power S.D. ammo, but using a 12 ga. Shell instead of a .20 ga.

Or
Just do it right and buy a pump s.d. gun ,
If they even offer it.

More searching to do

The only way to reduce recoil in the same gauge shell is to lighten the payload or drive it at less velocity. So-called mini-shells are one way - and you can put more of them in the magazine - but will be restricted to a pump as they won't cycle a semi-auto, and may or may not feed in even those.

I put a Knoxx recoil system on my 870 Marine Magnum.
It is effective - how effective, I guess you have to try.

My Knoxx Blackhawk was a traditional design (not the pistol grip version).
I think it was discontinued in favor of the pistol grip version.

https://www.rem870.com/2017/08...emington-870-review/

If you don't reload or know some one who does then the next options you have after making sure you have a good fit is to add a good quality recoil pad and weight to the gun. Padding on your shoulder helps too. Recoil reducers work primarily by adding weight to the gun so no need to go that route unless you just want too. There are dozens of ways to add weight without spending a lot of money and pumps are the easiest to weight down.

What pump do you have? The mini shells may not be an option.

The 12ga mini shells work great in my Mossberg Shockwave 590, but they will not work in my Rem 870. I have not even tried.

Low recoil might be your only option.

I slip this on my 45-70 when I'm shooting +P bear loads. The LOP is still fine and having two recoil pads really reduces the felt recoil.

https://www.amazon.com/recoil-...2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&psc=1

PAST wearable recoil pad. Referred to as a "pussy pad". I wore one secretly under my shirt for a week long tactical shotgun course. Everyone else suffered. I didn't.

Since you are planning to use it for a SD firearm, it is unlikely that you will be shooting a 100 rounds a day like one would in clay games.

A few thoughts:

A box of reduced power 12 Gauge shells will be less than $20. Shoot a box to determine if the gun is workable for you.

If the gun has changeable chokes, use cylinder. Better for SD range and reduces recoil (albeit not significantly).

The mini shells are an interesting approach but require changes to the loading mechanism in most shotguns. IMHO, that's fun in a range gun, not so much in a firearm intended for SD.

If the gun is a Mossberg, Remington or other in wide distribution, you may be able to purchase a replacement stock that fits you better than the stock currently on the gun. Again since it's SD, function over form says synthetic to me. One can weight many synthetic stocks to dampen recoil.

I'm a 4 gun Skeet shooter, which means at a registered shoot I can send 500 rounds downrange. So I am quite familiar with Recoil. Note, on occasion I have used my Browning Pump for a few rounds of Skeet.

So, recoil.

First, the 20 gauge light recoil you hear about is a myth if you are shooting a 20 gauge shotgun. Because 20 gauge shotguns are typically about 7/8 of the weight of a 12 gauge gun. 7/8 ounce loads only feel "light" if you are shooting them in a 12 gauge gun. Point is the reduced recoil loads can actually provide less recoil. Downside is they are also Reduced Energy loads so they don't hit as hard. I'll also point out that Magnum loads are designed to provide very high energy loads and they will always be uncomfortable to shoot. It's case where Limbsaver recoil pad is a good investment because they are distinctly squishy and do soak up recoil. Downside is they will increase the trigger reach by 1/2 to 3/4 inch on a modern shotgun.

Second, the 12 gauge recoil is not as bad as is typically described in books, news reports, and many internet posts. There is some recoil but IMO your get more recoil from a 30.06 or 308 Winchester in a bolt action rifle. What is key with the 12 is managing the recoil properly. Most modern shotgun stocks feature a "handgrip" for a reason, that is to provide a good surface that allows you to PULL the shotgun into your shoulder. This is the MOST effective means of "reducing" the recoil of a shotgun out there. If you find yourself experiencing pain or bruising from shooting your shotgun it's because you are holding it slack on your shoulder and allowing it to drive into your shoulder like a hammer.

Good information,
Thanks to all
.45-70 shooting is of no concern,
Why
I don't know.
But I could shoot a lot of it over 90 minutes or so.

But I hear people complain about it.
But 12 ga. Was uncomfortable,no pleasure there.

Perhaps I was just holding them differently.

I will try the 12, prior to accepting it.

You haven't told us what 12 gauge it is. A common pump like a Remington 870 or Mossberg? Semi-auto?

I usually consider myself "recoil-sensitive" but i shot a tactical shotgun class with >100 shells, buck, bird and slug. Gun was a Benelli M2 tactical which supposedly has more recoil than a gas gun. Didn't bother me--well, sore shoulder but nothing else.
I also have an 870 with a Knoxx recoil-reducing stock, and it really works quite well. It slows the recoil down so it takes place over a longer time period.

If you’re using it for self defense, just get the regular shells. You’ll only be shooting one or two rounds.

quote:

Originally posted by Beancooker:

If you’re using it for self defense, just get the regular shells. You’ll only be shooting one or two rounds.

Maybe not even that many. A reliable source told me that the "chack chack" sound is usually enough to do the job.