12 Ga or 20 Ga 1st Shotty?

[matty 810]

So I am going to get a shotgun, probably a pump (Moss/Rem), if things calm down to a reasonable level. I want to use it for clays and possibly HD. Although I have a dog 1st, and .357 2nd. The wife should be able to use it as well, she's recoil shy, so the less the better. Am not planning on hunting anytime soon, and if I do decide to do that, it would be birds, rather than deer. Would a 20 ga suffice for clays? Is 20 ga ammo cheaper & easier to find?

[lunker 274]

Believe it or not, 12 gauge is cheaper. A Remington 1100 or 1187 will fit the bill well. Recoil is well absorbed by the gas system, and you can get home defense length barrels for them. I would not get a pump or break open in 12 gauge if you want your wife to enjoy shooting (since you said she is recoil sensitive). The one exception to the break open having more recoil is the Browning Cynergy. The weird stock design really does work wonders to reduce recoil. But they are pricey shotguns.

If you go with a 20gauge, the recoil is only about 60% that of the 12 gauge, so you have more options. AutoLoaders in 20gauge are REALLY soft shooting.

[iRescue 0]

I didn't know what to expect when I first got my 12ga scatter gun. I was expecting to have to see an orthopedic surgeon to reattach my skinny arms...

 

After my first time out with my 870, I fell in love. It's all about form and the right ammo IMHO. #8 target loads are very easy shooting. For the lady, get some reduced recoil #1 buck.

 

My 2 cents for what it's worth...

 

Sent from my HTC One X+ using Tapatalk 2

 

 

[Lalo 13]

20 should be fine for clays, but I'd say 12 will be better for longer distance shooting. If you're planning on doing a lot of shooting with the wife, get a 20 so she'll enjoy it. 20 should also work well for home defense as long as you're not trying to take something down from far away as the 12 has more mass/power.

[lunker 274]

20 gauge does 90% of the things people buy a 12 gauge for. It will break a clay or repel a home invader, and allow a faster followup shot to boot. If you are a serious trap shooter and have to worry about handicap distances, then a 12 gauge would help your score. Other than that, 12 is popular because you can get 12 gauge ammo everywhere (when you are not in our retarded state anyways).

[Sonnylee 20]

Lunker got it right! 12 gauge there a variety of ammo you can choose from and cheap too.

Good luck!

 

[Parker 213]

12 ga. for variety and versatility. It can cover all bases. In the wrong configuration, it is not the most suitable for a woman of small stature. Don't be fooled into thinking the 20 ga. lacks power. While it gives up some power to the 12 ga., it can be potent in the right loadings, it's just that you'll see fewer offerings and it's slightly more in cost than 12 ga. ammo in some similar loadings.

 

Last year a young man in N.J. killed a nice black bear weighing 702 lbs. during the annual 6-day season. He used a 20 ga. 870 slug gun. It seems it was "enough gun."

http://www.newjersey...c-4-2012-a.html

[Malice4you 627]

I only have shot a 20ga a few times at one of the shotgun shootouts, but I was expecting the recoil to be significantly lower than that of a 12ga. It was a lot closer to the recoil of a 12ga than I'd anticipated.

 

That said, before I ever shot a 12ga, I too was a bit wary of shooting it because I was worried it'd kick like a mule. I got started on 7 1/2 target loads, and eventually shot magnum loads. Of all the 12ga loads I've shot, the only ones that were pretty bad were the 3 1/2" magnums, and most shotguns can't chamber those anyway. I only own pumps, semi autos should help absorb some of the recoil. And you can always add a recoil pad (though these will affect LOP, which might be an issue for your wife.)

 

12ga will typically be the most available, with the most different loads, are pretty inexpensive, and are available in reduced recoil...

 

So, the correct answer is get one (or 4) of each

[DaddyNick 408]

Get the 20ga. as far as shooting clays its up to the shooter...find out what load your gun likes.

as for home defense 20ga makes some real nice buckshot loads with #2 and #3 buckshot.

inside a house (under 40') i dont think the bad guy will tell the difference between 12 and 20 ga buckshot. lol.

[tt-33 8]

get a 20 if you guys get heavy into clays you can up grade later but if the12 is way to much she's not going to take a beating again and try the 12.my mossberg 500 in 20 was fine w/#3 buck but # 2 was awlful.im also a member at cj if you want to try several guns of the same model in both 12 and 20 let me know 870 1100 in 4 guages

[Nick T 4]

I have female officers I work with all of 5 foot nothin and 100 lbs soakin went who I watched shoot 12 gauge all day it's all about proper grip on the weapon and leaning into it

[Porthole 15]

I watched shoot 12 gauge all day it's all about proper grip on the weapon and leaning into it

 

 

Kind of answers a different question.

 

If the "smaller stature" folks don't get to shoot all the time the recoil and be a deal breaker.

For the the reasons mentioned previously I have been looking into a 20.

I have an 20g Escort youth model now (auto) which fits the bill nicely, but I have some concern of the the auto load if the shotgun is not held properly.

 

I am now looking into a 20g 870.

Something to keep in mind if you go that route, 12g 870 accessories for the most part will not work on the 20g 870 and there is not much of an aftermarket for the 20g

[mcbethr 42]

Get the 12 Gauge then get a 20 gauge adapter from Short Lane ( www.gunadapters.com ) and shoot both.

 

Yes, the gun adapter will work in a pump.

[dman2112 6]

12

[blksheep 466]

I have female officers I work with all of 5 foot nothin and 100 lbs soakin went who I watched shoot 12 gauge all day it's all about proper grip on the weapon and leaning into it

 

Fun to watch?

[Saint Michael 0]

What 20g shotgun is good for a small frame (5' 7" 140lb) man with a bad right shoulder? This will be for HD and paper targets.

[Nick T 4]

 

 

Fun to watch?

Yes indeed

[Shawnmoore81 623]

If your a man a 12, if your a woman a 20.

[dman2112 6]

Lol

[Socom 19]

Since i been shooting 12 guage since 10 years old i figure a man of your age can handle one

[lunker 274]

There's no tough guy contest here. If followup shots are important, I don't think anyone can tell you they can get back on target just as fast with a 12 as a 20. If you remove testosterone from the equation, 20 is the better tool for a lot of the shooting most of us do simply because it gets the job done with less recoil. There are things 12 does better, but this thread isn't about hunting turkey or duck, handicap trap, etc. If bulk 20 was as cheap as bulk 12, my skeet and sporting clays gun would be in 20. My bird guns are in 20. Who wants to walk around for 4 hours with a 10 pound shotgun They get heavy after a while. One of these days I'm going to need to start reloading shot shells.

[Socom 19]

There's no tough guy contest here. If followup shots are important, I don't think anyone can tell you they can get back on target just as fast with a 12 as a 20. If you remove testosterone from the equation, 20 is the better tool for a lot of the shooting most of us do simply because it gets the job done with less recoil. There are things 12 does better, but this thread isn't about hunting turkey or duck, handicap trap, etc. If bulk 20 was as cheap as bulk 12, my skeet and sporting clays gun would be in 20. My bird guns are in 20. Who wants to walk around for 4 hours with a 10 pound shotgun They get heavy after a while. One of these days I'm going to need to start reloading shot shells.

 

If your referring to me lunker I didn't mean anything in a demeanoring way I was just stating that for an adult 12 gauge is really nothing!

 

Rob

[lunker 274]

If your referring to me lunker I didn't mean anything in a demeanoring way I was just stating that for an adult 12 gauge is really nothing!

 

Rob

 

Rob,

 

I wasn't directing at anyone in particular. I love blowing shit up as much as anyone. And 12 gauge does it better than anything else, except maybe 10 gauge (which I have never tried). I just don't want people buying a 12 gauge because it is the "guy" thing to do and never shooting it because it is too much for them. I know I will never get my wife to try a shotgun again because 15 years ago someone gave her a 12 gauge pump loaded with buck. When I take newbie shooter friends out for clays, I always bring a few shotguns in 12 and 20 and have them try the 20 first.

[Shawnmoore81 623]

I use 12 for everything. I considered buying a 20 for rabbit but decided to buy another 12. But my 10 year old has a 20 and it does fine for him

[Sandy 44]

I have female officers I work with all of 5 foot nothin and 100 lbs soakin went who I watched shoot 12 gauge all day it's all about proper grip on the weapon and leaning into it

 

It is all about holding it properly. I have a 12 gauge Mossberg 590A1 and the recoil does not bother me one bit. ( I'm a 4'11 female) . I shoot it all the time , and did a 4 hour 100 shell plus GFH course with it. Not a problem. I have a telescoping stock on it , because even the youth models with 12 1/2 LOP was too long for me. Cutting off what I needed to cut off resulted in a front heavy gun. The Mesa Telescoping milspec stock gave the gun great balance for me , and the LOP that I needed. Which means I can should it properly , which means I can shoot it well , no issues with follow up shots. The pistol grip helps someone my size manage it keep it on target ( no matter what any of you super experienced large men say here )

 

Conversley , my husband's auto loading Mossberg in 12 ga with factory stock , which is suppose to have lighter recoil , is not as much fun to shoot. I can't shoulder it properly and still reach the trigger. Bad gun for me , would not matter if it was 20 Ga. I can still shoot it wothout saying "ouch" ..but not as accurately or happily. I found the same to be true with a similar 20 ga.

 

Honestly , you see small women shooting 10 ga with no issue. The difference is someone told them how to hold it properly and absorb the recoil. Too many idiots hand a gun to a woman ( or a kid , or a small guy) and say lean into it.Not enough instruction , no practicing stance and recoil management on something managable. Just "here , shoot this"

 

To OP I would suggest sending your wife to a class . She can take a private 1st steps shotgun and she won't need the gun , the ammo ..just show up with an open mind. She'll learn proper stance and recoil management from the very first shot. It is not exactly cheap , but I can speak from personal experience that it is well worth the money to have that kind of indivdual tailored instruction for a few hours. Not to mention the value of try before you buy.

 

Another option is to have her go with someone who is not only great at shooting a shotgun but is also good at imparting first shots advice and technique to someone. Not everyone can teach per say.

 

Again , from experience , recoil managemnt has less to do with 12ga or 20ga ..taught properly there is no reason why most women can't manage a long gun with some recoil. Obviously there will be exceptions and some guns are just too much for some people , but when you are talking about your average 12 ga Mossberg or Remington I see no reason why a woman can't enjoy one if she is taught how to hold it and shoot properly with sensible loads from the first trigger pull ( as in not after some idiot hands her turkey loads and an old wood 12 gauge that kicks like a mule)

[Smokin .50 1,907]

Bravo Sandy! Hit a Home Run!

 

As a Certified Instructor I find that some women need to be reminded to keep the butt plate tucked-in firmly "in the pocket". This avoids recoil "problems". When instructing a female in the proper use of a long gun I always suggest a sports bra or one without any metal wires in it. The right undergarments make shooting a little easier and the wrong ones tend to make it a painful experience, especially for those with larger breasts. Sometimes women won't "adjust themselves" in front of a man( moving the butt plate back & forth past the breast to tuck it in OR moving their breast out of the way of the stock), for fear of being made fun of or criticized. This is wrong, as evidenced by all of those You Tube videos of women dropping long guns. Once proper "fit" is accomplished (read NO pain for every trigger squeeze), women can out-shoot the guys! It's really all about being comfortable in the proper clothing, having a gun with the proper LOP. Once she's comfortable and ready to learn, WATCH OUT! Clays are gonna break, and whether it's a 12 or a 20 really doesn't come into the equation since the gun fits her.......

[M4BGRINGO 139]

I have a Rem 1100 in 20g and 12g, doesn't seem to be much of a difference in recoil between the two of them. What really IS different is the weight! Home defense, the weight won't mean a thing. For shooting Sporting Clays where you will take a minimum of 100 targets, the weight of the gun will matter to most people after awhile. I bought the 20g for my niece to shoot Trap and Sporting Clays with. It's too light for me, but I have used it from time to time, mainly single-handed like Rosie likes to do. I prefer my Browning O/U but it has a custom recoil-reduction setup on it which costs most than most typical shotguns do. For a really light-shooting gun, look at this Beretta, a friend of mine has it. Pretty ugly if you ask me, but shoots very smoothly! http://www.berettausa.com/products/beretta-a400-xtreme-unico-ko-synthetic-black-12ga-35/

[lunker 274]

The Beretta 390/400 series are great, reliable guns. I believe Anthony at M&M used one to win the national title in Sporting Clays.

[M4BGRINGO 139]

Anthony could use a 28 gauge and break more clays than most of us can with a 12 gauge! Heck, lets make it fair. He has to shoot a .410 weak-side and I will shoot my 12 gauge strong-side and lets see the score. Oh, I also get report pairs, he gets simos!

[Jersey Jubal 0]

Matty, I'm in the same boat, at age 49 I've decided after numerous lower back surgeries supplementing my '85 Jennings Forked Lightning compound bow and Easton 2216 aluminum arrows with either a 12/20 gauge shotgun for deer season (and home defense). Even though I'm 6' 3" 190 lbs I have reservations with the weight and recoil of the 12 gauge (it could lay me up for days) so I've decided on the Mossberg 500C 20 gauge pump shotgun. I haven't taken a shot with a bow over 35 yds and have never had the opportunity for a 100 yd shot due to dense undergrowth here in Morris and Sussex County so a 20 ga would suit my needs perfectly. By choosing the 20 ga. wasted meat will be reduced, ammo choices will be limited and more expensive but my wife will be able to use the same gun at the range or in the home to repel deranged bath-salt addicts, looters, and violent home invaders.