[racine]

I could use some help from some of you pros in recommending a 20ga load for a very gunshy and lightweight 12 y/o boy. He has a new 870 Express Compact and I bought 10 boxes of 2 3/4", 2 1/2 dr, 1oz 6 lead shot. This is listed as heavy game loads. He found them too heavy in the recoil dept. I can't seem to find something with less kick and could use some recommendations and where to find them. Thanks for any help you can offer.
Happy Holidays,
Racine

[AcceptableUserName]

7.5 or 8 shot is the best you're gonna get. you could make the gun heavier as well by using different weighting methods. but in all honesty he's probably just gonna have to man up with it at some point. I was shooting the occasional slug and buckshot out of my 12 gauge at that point. Even 3"'s, ya it kicked like crazy. But my dad just pretty much told me, hold on to it tight. its gonna kick, but that's just how it's gonna be. Haha.

[ArmedBear]

A standard 20 Gauge load is 7/8 oz. That will kick less than a 1 oz. heavy game load like you are using.

The size of the shot (#8, #6, #7.5, whatever) will not affect felt recoil. However, the AMOUNT of shot, or the total weight, will. So will the velocity. A standard target 20 Gauge load (7/8 oz. of #7.5, 8 or 9 shot at 1200 fps) will recoil less than what you were using.

If you really want to go for low recoil, look at something like these: http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=89224

These are 3/4 oz. of shot at 1075 fps. That will be very pleasant to shoot, and will have enough shot and velocity for skeet, hand-thrown clays, and even 16 yard trap singles.

[Virginian]

+1, all the way.

[Hardtarget]

I'm not a shooting coach but if you check around you'll find good instruction you can share with him. First, proper grip, stance, and a good cheek weld. If he holds the gun correctly...the recoil is more of a push, not an "impact/kick".

Like already said...its gonna' kick a bit! That's part of it!

Oh yes...tell him "welcome to the brotherhood" We need new little brothers! :D

Mark

[oldrevolverguy]

Fiocchi and Rio, along with the big US manufacturers, make low recoil 20 ga ammo. My son got his Remington 1100 20 when he was 7. He has a pump as well, but the 1100 (and 1187) shoot so much softer that he rarely fires the pump. If you read books from the best trainers out there you will see that the Remington autoloader is the number one starter shotgun. If the light ammo in the pump does not have the desired effect, try the 1100. It made all the difference for my son. Good luck!

[ArmedBear]

Note that light target loads like 3/4 oz. in a 20 Gauge, often handloaded, are popular among the older and wiser, also. They're not for kids, or wimps.:)

In shotgunning, there are some really stupid perceptions that people seem to have:

1. 20 gauge is a kid's gun. As soon as he can handle a 12, get rid of the 20.
2. Recoil is cool!
3. 12 Gauge is a great gun for everything.

The most experienced shotgunners, the ones that have shot hundreds of thousands of rounds, tend to have a few things in common, IME, counterpoints to the above 3:

1. Use the minimum gauge for the job. Really good dove hunters tend to use .410s and 28s; people who can't shoot use goose guns.
2. Use the minimum load that will do the job. Shooting hundreds of thousands of rounds of skeet with hot "heavy game" or "handicap" loads does nothing but develop a flinch, even in the best shooters. Hot and heavy loads have their place, especially for some hunting situations, but for routine practice, they are detrimental to one's shooting. Also, 3/4 oz. 20 gauge can be really cheap to reload, with small amounts of lead and powder.:)
3. 12 Gauge guns are great for some things, not for others. Have guns to match the purpose. (This seems to come along with those years of experience, because buying one nice shotgun every 2 years for 30 years sure isn't as hard on the budget as buying 15 nice shotguns at once, and patience does lead to one finding a lot of good deals over time.)

[Virginian]

Now hold on a second. :eek: Sometimes someone is a really, really serious goose hunter, and everything else becomes practice for goose hunting, and thus they shoot everything with their goose gun. :what: Sometimes I understand it even works for some of them. When I tried it, I shot great at everything else, but then with the first "honk" the adrenalin kicked in, and I still didn't shoot geese worth a hoot. :uhoh:

[ArmedBear]

Sometimes someone is a really, really serious goose hunter, and everything else becomes practice for goose hunting

Well, that's true.

Shooting 3.5" heavy goose loads at everything will still develop a flinch, though.:)

[sheepdog]

...try a Pachmayr rubber stock pad---slip-on...

[oneounceload]

Does the gun FIT properly? I don't mean can he hold it up and get it somewhat in his shoulder pocket. If it doesn't, recoil will be adverse no matter the load.

While the gun is being properly fitted to him, a good recoil pad should be added.

Last, shoot only light target loads - 7/8 oz or smaller if you can find them (or reload them in 3/4oz). 1oz of #6 will thump my shoulder hard and I'm 6'3 and 265, especially from as light a gun as a pump.

The best way to reduce actual recoil is a heavy gun with light target loads.
The best way to reduce felt, or perceived, recoil, is with heavy GAS gun, light target loads and a good recoil pad

Again, all are assuming the gun fits.

Most folks don't realize how critical fit is and assume that "close enough is good enough" - apply that same thought to your hunting boots - is close enough to your size good enough for arduous trekking in the mountains?

(edited for stupid spelling)


If you have a 20 gas gun, he might really like that - my 28 gauge gas gun is a lot of fun to shoot all day

[racine]

He is small for a 12 y/o boy so I got him the 870 Express Compact Jr with a 12"LOP, adjustable shims, a Limbsaver R recoil pad, I'm new to 20ga as all I've ever owned was 12ga. Yesterday I bought some 7/8oz- 7 1/2 shot loads to try. I'm thinking this is the way to go and if not then it becomes my wifes shotty. He got to try my 1100 with target loads and thought the 20 would be a shoe in but I'll work with him on this. This should be the fun part of teaching your son. Thanks for the many suggestions, I appreciate them.
Happy New Year!