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Best Shotgun for ladies.

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5.4K views 24 replies 15 participants last post by  LucyBear  
#1 ·
Hello all, my daughter has been out shooting trap and skeet with me a few times and is really doing good. Says she wants to give hunting a try next year. She's been shooting my old Remington 870 Youth 20 gauge and the gun really fits. She's got a minor softball injury in her right shoulder so recoil is kind of an issue, thus a 12 gauge is out of the question.

My question is this will a 20 gauge be enough gun for bringing down ducks?
Also will I be able to find steel shot easy enough in 20 gauge shells?

Thanks for any input.
 
#2 ·
She's been shooting my old Remington 870 Youth 20 gauge and the gun really fits. She's got a minor softball injury in her right shoulder so recoil is kind of an issue, thus a 12 gauge is out of the question.
It is a common misconception that a 20 gauge gun will "kick" more than a 12 gauge. It depends on many factors such as gun weight and proper fit, action design and chosen load. I must disagree about your statement that "...a 12 gauge is out of the question."

Your choice of an 870 youth model is not a good choice as these light guns produce significant recoil. A much better choice would be a gas operated semi-auto such as a Remington 1100/1187 or a Beretta 300 series such as the 391. With comparable loads, both of these will produce LESS felt recoil in a 12 gauge than the light 20 gauge pump she is now shooting. You may also want to consider a recoil reduction device such as those sold under the ISIS brand. There are many other brands that will do a good job. Also, there are many more ammo choices when it comes to light loads in the 12 gauge vs. 20 gauge.

I too have experienced shoulder problems in the past, and as a high volume shooter of over 40 years (clay target sports and hunting), the gas operated semi-autos have allowed me to continue shooting.

Good Luck to you and your daughter.

p.s. There is nothing more exciting in hunting than a good duck hunt!!!
 
#4 ·
Do you reload? It opens up many more options for light loads in 12 and 20 gauge target shells, where the recoil is much more noticeable, when you are shooting multiple boxes of shells, compared to hunting where you usually shoot just a few. Gun fit is important, as well. How old and what size is your daughter?
 
#6 ·
The only difference of a 20 ga., and 12 ga. is the shell diameter. Everything else is just a matter of weight of the gun and the amount of lead pushed down the barrel. 1 oz. of lead pushed down the barrel of both will kick more in the 20 ga. if the gun is lighter by a pound or so. Usually this is the case with a 20 ga.
 
#8 ·
My question is this will a 20 gauge be enough gun for bringing down ducks?
Also will I be able to find steel shot easy enough in 20 gauge shells?
No problem dropping ducks even geese. Steel 2 shot and 4 shot are easy to find. The biggest shot I found was 1 shot in steel had no problem knocking snows down even those big Canadians in Rochester MN. My boys started out with a Remington 1187 20ga but it your thinking a 20 ga for her to shoot for life I would look into 1100 20ga
 
#9 ·
Cant go wrong with a Remington 1100. I would even re-think the 20 ga. thing. A 12 ga. Rem 1100 would be a great all around gun. You can put 7/8 oz loads in it for trap or even 1 oz loads. If you keep the velocity reasonable, the recoil will be negligible.
As far as hunting, there is an infinite array of loads that would be suitable. Girls grow fast but your daughter will not outgrow an 1100.

John
 
#12 ·
My wife is 5 foot 3 inches and 130 pounds. The Beretta a300 12 gage in the black synthetic model is the gun she choose. This model is adjustable for length of pull and cast of stock. She started out with a 20 gage 11/87 which didn't quite fit her right. In turn the 11/87 wasn't very comfortable for her to shoot. With the a300 we could adjust this gun to fit her. She really likes her gun, says the recoil is very minimal. I would say a gas operated 12 gage gun is going to have less felt recoil than a light weight fixed breach 20 gage gun also.
 
#13 ·
Remington Youth guns have a 13" LOP. They also have a shorter barrel, which makes them easier to hold up. The down side is that they are light, which creates more recoil. A youth gun in 12 gauge will be heavier, which helps with recoil, as would a gas operated gun. A 12 gauge with a shorter stock would be a good option, if your daughter has the strength to hold it up. I have a 12 gauge Beretta 390 with a reduced length stock, and a 26" barrel, that is my go to loaner gun, for little people. I reload 3/4 oz shells, and it is very enjoyable to shoot.
 
#14 ·
A gas operated 12ga shooting relatively light loads will probably kick less than any locked breach 20ga (pump, O/U, etc).
If recommend the Remington 1100 Competition Synthetic since it is one of the absolute softest shooting 12ga guns around thanks to being a gas operated semi-auto and the included Rucker Auto-Buster, and because it comes with an adjustable comb and butt plate, is based on a proven design, and it's relatively cheap (can be found new for under $1000).
 
#19 · (Edited)
My daughter is 15 years, she weighs 113.0 lb (51.3 kg) She's quite light for her age and she is 5 foot 4 inches (160 cm) tall.
My 9 yo weighs around 80 lbs, shoots a K-80 with a PFS stock and 1 oz. loads. Broke his first 25 straight in FL. and a 91/100 in his first Singles event last week Came back 2 days later and finished a 200 Singles event with absolutely no recoil issues. You might be surprised just how much gun some kids can handle. Remember, light weight means more recoil!!
 
#20 ·
My wife shoots a K-80 with a 34" single barrel, PFS stock, 14 1/4" LOP and full loads. She's 5'4" and I'm not allowed to disclose her current weight. She shot a similar gun when she weighed 125 lbs. too. Currently classified AAA Singles but never made it past the 26.5 yd. line. Don't sell little people short all the time!!
 
#23 · (Edited)
Is the 20 ga. large enough to bring down birds? If there "Close Enough" for her!!! Depends on her ability to shoot more than anything else??? Greater distances requires more accurate shooting. Don't take shots that may just injure the birds. A 12 ga. will give more opportunities at wild birds!!!

Next, that youth 870 is too light a gun for her. This will add to felt recoil in a gun!!! Install all the weight you can, in the stock hole. If it becomes unbalanced for her, add a weight to the "Barrel nut" to counter this, and re-balance the gun. This added weight will tame the recoil for her as much as possible. The new 1100 synthetic comp. shotgun can be had for $1,000 or less and is a very soft shooting gun that can be used for all target games and hunting and is totally adjustable to fit everyone. I'm not sure if they have a youth model, but may be worth looking into if you want to. You can buy 7/8 oz. loads @ 1200 fps, that duplicate the 20 ga. shell in 12 ga. target ammo. You can buy them @ Gamaliel.com and have them shipped to your door for like $7.10 a box. Noble Sport makes them too if recoil is still a problem for her. She will grow and her wound will heel. A 12 ga. shotgun is still the single best gauge gun to buy, if you can only have one!!!

Be sure in install a steel only chokes in her gun!!! If the gun has fixed chokes make sure you limit the size to a modified choke. Steel shot will turn a modified lead choke barrel into a full steel shot barrel. Any tighter may damage the gun. Call Remington to verify this info!!! and go with what they recommend. Good Luck and break em all Jeff