Trapshooters Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

New petite shooter - needs Barrel Length advice

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 40 Posts

krissblade

· Registered
Joined
·
12 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm just getting into clay shooting, but can tell it is will be an obsession for a long time. I am small woman, weigh about a buck and 5'1". I've tried enough shotguns to know that I really do NOT like 20 gauges because they are not comfortable to me to shoot. Looking at semi-autos with a shorter LoP. It's been tough.

Barrel Length - 26" vs 28" . Big ticket question. I've read that semi-autos are longer overall because of more room needed for the action than say an O/U gun with the same barrel length. Am I at disadvantage to shoot clays with a 26" barrel?


Here are is my best guess for gun that would best suit me. I'm just not sure about the barrel length.

12-13" LoP (currently use 12" lop)
12 gauge
semi-auto
weight - 7lb - 7.4 lb (best guess). under 7 lb, not enough recoil dampening and not comfortable. I currently use a 7.8 lb gun which is too heavy for me.
 
#2 ·
You might think about a BT-99 Micro. I have some for the kids in our SCTP and they do well with them shooting 1 oz loads. They make a 30" and a 32" Micro. They grip is much shorter on them for a smaller hand.

Jim R
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#3 ·
It looks like the best gun for you looking at your requirements would be a BT-99 Micro Midas, it has a 13 inch LOP which is 3/4 inch shorter than the micro, and they make a 28 inch barrel model that weighs 7 lbs, 11 oz. Some light 1oz or 7/8 oz loads should make recoil manageable. I had my girlfriend shoot my bt-99 for the first time the other day, and had her try some of the Winchester AA Featherlights and she handled the recoil well even though the gun certainly did not fit her. http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?fid=009B&cid=017&tid=075
 
#4 ·
A 26 inch barrel on a Remington 1100/11-87 will have almost the same overall length as a 30 inch over and under. That being said, I do have an 11-87 with a 26 inch "Target" barrel with a short stock (12 inches). PM me if you need more info. jm
 
#5 ·
Go with the BT-99, shorten it up, put a Gracoil on it and shoot any load you want. When you get to the point that you just absolutely gotta have a fancier gun put the BT up for sale and it'll probably be gone the first day the ad gets posted. You just can't go wrong with that gun.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#9 ·
You may want to find some one with a "try gum" for LOP, and barrel you mentioned clay shooting will it be trap or other games? That may impact your barrel requirements skeet seems to be a short barrel game as opposed to Trap and or Sporting clays.
 
#10 ·
I'm assuming when said you want to shoot clays you may be asking about a gun capable of firing two shots a requirement for sporting clays, skeet and trap doubles, if so then it's either an automatic or an over and under break open gun. You also didn't mention budget a key component for any recommendation, at this point my only imput is barrel length, I would not recommend any barrel shorter than 28" unless the only game you will be shooting is skeet. For other disciplines you should be able to handle a 30" barrel on a well fitted gun with a little practice.

Surfer
 
#11 ·
I wouldn't go any shorter than a 30". I would try to find a Browning BT99Plus Micro. This is the model discontinued Browning in '99-'00, and it's worth it's weight in silver. It has a short, adjustable LOP, adjustable rib, recoil reducer, adjustable comb, decent weight, and a size that's great for small folks/kids. Add a 100Straight/Jones pad adjuster for $60 and you be able to fit it to you like a glove. No constant maintenance and cleaning, won't bounce shells of the guy to your right, completely reliable, safer. If you want to see what one looks like(sorta) there's a standard length one on here for sale right now. It's not a micro, and has a "few" mods but you can get an idea what it looks like. Good luck.

http://www.trapshooters.com/threads/custom-bt-99-plus.241210/#post-2258107

Bob Falfa
 
#13 ·
Most semi-autos are about two inches longer than an equivalent O/U shotgun. My 30" 1100 was about the same length as my 32" Beretta 687.
As recoil is a concern, you might want to take a look at a Remington 1100 with a 26 or 28" RemChoke barrel. A Jack West Pro Combo stock set with the Ken Rucker Autobuster would help with the recoil and give you an adjustable butt plate and adjustable comb, but even with a thin recoil pad I think the shortest you could get the LOP would be a little under 14". You could get the youth model with out the Autobuster and I think that would shorten it to around 13". 12" might be hard to do on a lot of semi-autos because of the action spring tube running through the stock.
 
#14 ·
The rem 1100 or beretta 39orl target with a 26 inch barrel will break every target you shoot it at.
I have a young lady on an SCTP youth team using the ladies Wenig new American stock on an 1100. Much better grip radius for a small hand. Jack West stock grip is sized for a larger hand
Both autos reduce recoil very well in 12 ga with 1 oz or 7/8 oz loads. They need to be kept clean to cycle and a few tricks help.
But If you are starting and looking for an auto that will break clays at all the games the 26 or 28 inch has done it for a long time.
 
#15 ·
Barrel length in itself is meaningless. Countless thousands of pigeons have been killed in the ring with 26" barrels and that is way more difficult to do than any clay target game.

Get a gun that fits and you're comfortable with and worry about technique not barrel length.
 
  • Like
Reactions: huntinjoe and Leo
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#16 ·
Semperfi909 calls it right. A person will always shoot best with what they are comfortable shooting. The payload is no weaker out of a 26 inch gun than out of an 32 inch gun. My hunting O/U is 20 inch barrels. I guess I am used to it after 30 plus years, but it never seems like a disadvantage other than it's light weight having heavier recoil.
 
#17 ·
krissblade said:
I'm just getting into clay shooting, but can tell it is will be an obsession for a long time. I am small woman, weigh about a buck and 5'1". I've tried enough shotguns to know that I really do NOT like 20 gauges because they are not comfortable to me to shoot. Looking at semi-autos with a shorter LoP. It's been tough.

Barrel Length - 26" vs 28" . Big ticket question. I've read that semi-autos are longer overall because of more room needed for the action than say an O/U gun with the same barrel length. Am I at disadvantage to shoot clays with a 26" barrel?


Here are is my best guess for gun that would best suit me. I'm just not sure about the barrel length.

12-13" LoP (currently use 12" lop)
12 gauge
semi-auto
weight - 7lb - 7.4 lb (best guess). under 7 lb, not enough recoil dampening and not comfortable. I currently use a 7.8 lb gun which is too heavy for me.
Click to expand...
You say "I've tried enough shotguns to know that I really do NOT like 20 gauges because they are not comfortable to me to shoot. "
Do you mean the recoil is too much?
Why is a 20g not "comfortable?" 12g will recoil more (generally) and 28g is OK for skeet but for trap.....
Is recoil or fit the problem?

My GF shoots a CG 20g with 28" barrels for both skeet and trap and does fine. The gun was fitted to her (LOP and Pitch) by Andrew at CG. She shoots 1oz 20g for trap and 7/8ox for skeet. She's about your size.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#18 ·
Redcobra said:
Why is a 20g not "comfortable?" 12g will recoil more (generally) and 28g is OK for skeet but for trap.....
Click to expand...
Depends on which 20g and what loads. A 20g can recoil fairly hard, a 12g with the right loads can be more comfortable to shoot. I like a 20g because it's smaller and easier to carry, not because it is more comfortable to shoot. A 12g with 7/8 loads takes care of that. A lightweight 20g with equal loads has more recoil.

Like has been said, it depends on what she wants to use the gun for. Everyone always assumes everyone wants to go out and shoot handicap and earn a living doing it or shoot games.. Some people just want to enjoy shooting.

Sounds like she needs a youth model Beretta.

26" vs 28"? no.
 
#19 ·
Rollin Oswald said:
You will have more concerns given your size than the length of the barrel.

Read this thread and it will explain: http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=286474
Click to expand...
krissblade,
I've read Rollin Oswald's book and have had four (4) guns done by Wenig Custom Gunstocks for me and my wife. They are the experts and they will tell you that there is no such thing as an off-the-shelf shotgun that fits a woman. My wife shoots a tricked out Browning Maxus (semi auto) with 28" barrel and Wenig custom stock. She likes the semi auto for reduced recoil and shoots either 7/8ths or 1 oz loads. Something as simple as a palm swell on the stock can reduce felt recoil.
Buy and shoot whatever you feel most comfortable with, but when your're ready to start improving, get thee to a gunfitter.
 
#20 ·
221 said:
Depends on which 20g and what loads. A 20g can recoil fairly hard, a 12g with the right loads can be more comfortable to shoot. I like a 20g because it's smaller and easier to carry, not because it is more comfortable to shoot. A 12g with 7/8 loads takes care of that. A lightweight 20g with equal loads has more recoil.

Like has been said, it depends on what she wants to use the gun for. Everyone always assumes everyone wants to go out and shoot handicap and earn a living doing it or shoot games.. Some people just want to enjoy shooting.

Sounds like she needs a youth model Beretta.

26" vs 28"? no.
Click to expand...
Not talking about "lightweight" 20g. I was assuming she would get a clays gun, not a field gun. Put the weight in the butt/receiver and keep the barrels light. My CG 12g Impact has the same recoil as my 20G Impact when both shoot 1oz loads, but the 20g swings and handles better. Just cause it's a 20g doesn't mean it's lighter.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
1 - 20 of 40 Posts
About this Discussion
39 Replies
25 Participants
Last post:
krissblade
Trapshooters Forum
posts
4.3M
members
93K
Since
2005
A forum community dedicated to Trap shooting enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about targets, clays, hunting, gunsmithing, gear reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Shooting Related Discussions For Sale Reloading Want to Buy/Trade Threads Gunsmithing