Hey everyone.. .. was looking for some help to pick out a good shotgun for my nephew.. he's 9 years old … went trap shooting with me today for the first time, and loves it, so now i have to get him his own!

 

We used my friends .410 single shot .. not sure what make it was, but it was a break open single shot, with a hammer. I'm guessing Rossi, but forgot to look… the front was a little heavy for him, and i had to help hold the fore grip, but he had no problem with the LOP and pulling the trigger.

 

I was wondering if you could suggest a lighter .410 or 28ga that he could use.  

 

Thanks,

 

-Frank

I started my son skeet shooting right about that age too --  we shot almost every weekend at Clinton WMA late on sundays --  just throw you own, never formal trap

 

Anyway -- He started right in on 20 gauge and we have 2 guns that fit him -- 1 is a mossberg youth model pump I forget the model # --  I put a knoxx recoil absorbing adjustable stock on it

 

He shot the snot out of that gun --  usually would shoot 200 shells a session -- I reloaded them light for him with 3/4 of an ounce of 8.5 shot -- never a sore shoulder -- that gun now sits with a scope on it for deer hunting with slugs -- took his 1st deer last year with it

 

 I also bought a youth stoeger over under in 20 gauge -- shot that one a lot too --  I know I went thru almost 2000 primers keeping up with feeding him throughout the season

 

I guess the point is -- maybe you should give 20 gauge a try --  410 and 28 would cost you a fortune to feed if he actually likes to shoot -- 20s can be found anywhere

 

If your stuck without a 20 that will fit I'm sure we could make arrangements to meet at either clinton WMA or I could guest you guys into OBRPC.

 

I'd be happy to help out a youth shooter try out a few guns and see what fits

 

Jer

Jer, that would be so great.. i appreciate the offer.. we can plan something…. 

 

so you think 20ga is ok? . .. on a youth O/U, does it kick hard? … i'd like to get him an O/U or single shot, just for it's ease of use, and he was doing well with the single shot break open today..

 

i will look at my local gun shops for a youth 20ga and see what i can find… 

 

thanks again, i will be in touch ..

 

-Frank

Frank,  My son is not a big kid and like I said --  he would shoot 200+ rounds per outing --  never a sore shoulder

 

We could go out on a sunday easily -- 

I started with a H&R handi when I was about 9. Single shot. Still got it. For my sons I bought another one just like mine but it came with 20 gauge rifled and smooth barrel and a .410 barrel. I'd look for something like that. You can start on the .410 then ease to the 20. I also have a Rossi combo that's a .22 and .410 combo. It's very very small. If your kid is smaller that would be the gun for him. I could get you more info on it if you'd like. I bought it on the trader for like $100 a couple years back

I actually just got him a Rossi 20ga/.22lr matched pair. I brought him with me to Dicks Sporting Goods in Rockaway, and it fit him well. We haven't been out to shoot it yet. In waiting for the Pachmayer Decelerator. I'll take him next week some time. I hope 20ga isn't to much for him.

He should be fine with the 20 ga.  you can always start with lighter loads.  I started at 10 years old wit a 12 gauge years ago, only because it was the only gun we had, no issues at all.

I started my son skeet shooting right about that age too --  we shot almost every weekend at Clinton WMA late on sundays --  just throw you own, never formal trap

 

Anyway -- He started right in on 20 gauge and we have 2 guns that fit him -- 1 is a mossberg youth model pump I forget the model # --  I put a knoxx recoil absorbing adjustable stock on it

 

He shot the snot out of that gun --  usually would shoot 200 shells a session -- I reloaded them light for him with 3/4 of an ounce of 8.5 shot -- never a sore shoulder -- that gun now sits with a scope on it for deer hunting with slugs -- took his 1st deer last year with it

 

 I also bought a youth stoeger over under in 20 gauge -- shot that one a lot too --  I know I went thru almost 2000 primers keeping up with feeding him throughout the season

 

I guess the point is -- maybe you should give 20 gauge a try --  410 and 28 would cost you a fortune to feed if he actually likes to shoot -- 20s can be found anywhere

 

If your stuck without a 20 that will fit I'm sure we could make arrangements to meet at either clinton WMA or I could guest you guys into OBRPC.

 

I'd be happy to help out a youth shooter try out a few guns and see what fits

 

Jer

 

I might take you up on this with my 14 y/o nephew.  Just curious... at what age would you think he'd be ready for a standard adult sized 12g pump... say a Maverick 88?  My nephew's a pretty tall 14. Relatively thin, but tall.

What we found was custom 20 loads in a pump or break open were easier on the shoulder than factory loads out of my little Rem 1100 in 20 gauge. The custom loads would not cycle the action in the 1100 though, if they did, that would be a really cool combination! The Rem 1100 could be a little heavy though for small kids.

I might take you up on this with my 14 y/o nephew.  Just curious... at what age would you think he'd be ready for a standard adult sized 12g pump... say a Maverick 88?  My nephew's a pretty tall 14. Relatively thin, but tall.

There really isn't an age --  It's more an attitude/size thing --  If he's scared of a 12 gauge then he starts with 20 -- 

 

The gun size has to fit --  really depends on the kid -- Jake fired my beretta 391 on the last outing but it was huge and uncomfortable on him

 

Recoil is a big issue too --  Those light , single shot shotguns, really beat you up --  all the recoil energy goes into the shooter -- gun doesn't absorb squat 

 

 

I do use reduced power loads in both 12 and 20 --  My 12 and 20 shells are loaded with almost the same amount of  8.5 shot -- 3/4 ounce in 12 and 11/16 ounce in 20 -- thats a log way from most off the shelf shells 

Just to throw something else into the equation:

 

As a Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselor and Shotgun Instructor, the BSA advises the use of a 20 ga. semi-auto Youth Model, when available.  So more than a dozen years ago I bought a used Beretta 20 ga. gas gun and haven't looked back.  All I had to do was change-out the recoil spring to a slightly lighter one to use 3/4 oz. factory Gun Club low brass.  Works like a charm and my son's entire Patrol all made their Shotgun Merit Badge with it at Summer Camp.

 

Hand thrown targets isn't "Trap", and neither are Lincoln throwers up on I-Beams right alongside of you.  That more closely resembles "Sporting Clays".  Not trying to be a PITA, but for the sake of the Newbies, I just wanted to clarify that, since you never know who reads these posts and then runs out and buys something that wouldn't work (like a .410 for regulation Trap, where the Trap House is 16 yards away from you, and birds need to break at 30-50 yards).

 

Getting back to Youth Model shotties, I used to be a member at Mallard, an ATA registered Trap Club.  One of my FB friends had a son who was shooting a 12 ga. Youth Model semi and breaking 18-23 birds per round using 1 oz. Gun Club Light (1145 fps).  He was only 12 at the time, and a little small for his age.  His Dad put a butt pad on the semi, bought him a Youth Model shotgun vest with the pad built-in and the kid never looked back!  He's probably in college by now......and still blastin' away!

 

No one approach works for everyone.  A 20 ga. gas gun has twice the amount of pellets of a .410, so it makes a denser pattern with a given choke (in most cases), resulting in a greater hit ratio.  I found a $1200 Beretta for only $450 on the used rack at Cabela's, so that's what I decided to do.  Scouts cross-over from being Cub Scouts at about age 10-11 when they're in the 5th grade.  A 9 year old may need some light .410 single-shot youth model so they can hold it up long enough to enjoy the experience.  Those 2-3 years difference mean a lot, so plan on buying more than ONE gun to keep the growing boys and girls (that's right, girls shoot shotgun too, lol) HAPPY!

 

Everybody take care and Rob and Jer, I'll see ya both around the range!

 

Dave

 

 

 3/4 oz. factory Gun Club low brass

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dave

 

 

Are these still available??    I have never seen them before but I'll have to admit that I don't pay much attention to factory ammo

 

If you guys can find the 3/4 ounce shells I would suggest you grab them --  Your kids will appreciate it 

I have to check, but I think I tried 3/4 ounce #9 shot in 12 gauge once for Knockdown Steel. The result............. Looked like I was trying to knock the steel over with a .22!

 

I had to call the wifey and have her bring me "normal" 12 gauge ammo so I could continue that day.

 

To say that stuff shot soft is an understatement!

 

I bought it from Cabelas last year when they had $5 shipping for any amount of stuff you bought. I happen to get 10 cases of shotgun ammo delivered, $5 for a couple hundred pounds, was well worth it!