Author Topic: Shotgun Advice (Read 596 times)

willy12 · « **on:** October 16, 2003, 10:20:30 AM »

I need shotgun advice for my son. He is 16 170 lbs 6'4". He has been shooting fairly stiff loads (2 3/4 Golden Pheasant) with a 870 Wingmaster 12ga w/ 26 inch barrels. The gun only weighs 6.75 lbs. We hunt squirrel with dogs, turkey, birds, and rabbit. We hunted over 40 days together last year. The recoil and muzzle blast is beginning to make him flinch a little. Even though I offered to buy him a new auto he says that he says that he will not shoot an auto. The wife says he is just like me - set in his ways. I also shoot a 12 ga. Wingmaster.

Would a 16 ga. reduce recoil and possibly more importantly muzzel blast while say shooting the 16 ga. Golden Pheasant to any noticable degree? Would a little longer barrel help him out? Should we try less powerful shells, although we both really like the Golden Pheasant? A 20 ga. is not a good option for him. Being tall and lanky, most smaller 20' s just don't give him enough to hold on to and do not fit as well - as he puts it.

What do you think?

DEPUTY · « **Reply #1 on:** October 16, 2003, 02:33:48 PM »

HUMM i'am 6'5 300 i shoot a 20 maybe he isnt holding it quite right

Savage · « **Reply #2 on:** October 29, 2003, 10:28:18 AM »

I'm not familar with the "Golden Pheasant" ammo. You didn't say what the shot weight of that load is. To try to answer your question, a 1 1/8oz load recoils the same regardless of the gauge, if the weight of the gun is the same. You can reduce the recoil by going to a lighter shot load in the gauge your are now using. I find the 1oz loads work fine for the majority of my shotgunning. I seldom use anything heavier than 1 1/8oz. It's a real advantage to reload, you can tailor the loads to the game, and really load down for targets!
Stay Safe,
Savage

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #3 on:** October 29, 2003, 11:48:23 AM »

I would say stick with the gun he has and if recoil is becoming a problem, use less shot as suggested, or a lower velocity load.

Here again is where reloading can make a bit of a difference. Not only can you reduce the felt recoil by switching to a light powder charge, but you can also reduce it by switching to a slower burning powder to give you the same velocity and timing you are used to, but the duration of the recoil will be slower and longer and will not feel as hard as a faster buring powder that will be sharper and quicker.

By the way, I don't suppose your son is going to get any smaller, so that gun he has sounds about right.

Good luck on your search.