Best way to cheaply reduce recoil in 20ga O/U

My first thought would be to drop a grain or two off the powder load... Could also have the barrel ported, either should help some. Could also put a heavier recoil pad on the stock.

Better recoil pad. That's what I'd really recommend.

My thoughts...First a high quality recoil pad such as those made from Sorbothane by Kick-Eez. Next, use low recoil target loads, or roll you own. If she's shooting standard target loads, there will be a small improvement, but if she's been shooting field loads, shame on you. Beyond that, I'd suggest trading the Citori for a Beretta semi-auto in 20 gauge. The gas system in the beretta will absorb a lot of the energy that was going directly to her shoulder with the Citori. A beretta semi will also be a lot lighter, handle light loads well and are very reliable. Also, unless you are loading your own, the 28 gauge shells are much more expensive that 20's as I'm sure you know.

A few possibilities...

The first thing you could do for cheap would be to load 3/4 oz. 20 Gauge shells. They should feel just like 28; the diameter of the shell has almost nothing to do with the recoil, and insofar as it has any effect, that's due to a slightly larger powder charge. You won't feel the difference between a 3/4 oz. 20 and a 3/4 oz. 28 load in the same gun.

What 12 Gauge is it? What does it weigh?

A Citori is not an ultralight, though in 20 it's not especially heavy. I'm going to bet it won't feel like your 12 with tubes, no matter what, due to the difference in gun weight.

Just let her try a 3.5" 12. Then she'll appreciate the 20.

Slip on pad, pachmayr decellerator pads are great and very cheap, turned my trap gun from a gun that would make you bleed to a gun i shoot 200 rounds at a time with on a regular basis without any soreness.

The old adage "measure twice, cut once" comes to mind - get the gun to fit her properly - whatever that entails, and you'll only fool around with it one time.

The heaviest gun she can handle with the lightest loads that will operate the gun will result in the least ACTUAL recoil. Proper fit, decent pad, adding a gas action, etc., will all help reduce FELT recoil. The two are not the same thing

Just give her YOUR gun.......

If you are reloading for the 20. Just load a 3/4 oz load. Thats what the 28 ga uses. Do some searching and you can find data for a 3/4 oz load. And guess what ... ZERO dollars.

If you are reloading for the 20. Just load a 3/4 oz load. Thats what the 28 ga uses. Do some searching and you can find data for a 3/4 oz load. And guess what ... ZERO dollars.

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And if her gun doesn't fit, it doesn't matter - will still hurt

Any ideas on how to lighten the recoil for her?
Don't shoot it?

I find your post very interesting:

Best way to cheaply reduce recoil in 20ga O/U
My wife has been shooting a 20ga Browning Citori for a year or so and last week I let her shoot my 12Ga with 28Ga tubes in it. After the first shot, she gave me the "I can't believe you made me shoot this 20Ga for a year when you had this!" Anyway, she liked the feel and lighter recoil of the 28Ga tubes in my 12Ga. Now I could get 28Ga tubes for her gun, but I'd like to start cheaper if possible to see if I can get her 20Ga to feel like my 12Ga. I'm loading 7/8oz #9, with 14.5-15gr Unique in Remington Gun Club hulls. Any ideas on how to lighten the recoil for her?

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This has been my experience, personally, and in turn with each of my two sons. They'd rather shoot a 7 1/2# 12 ga than a 6 1/2# 20 ga. Make no mistake, I am a huge fan of the 20 ga. I have a small pile of them and hunt them, but that's a situation where the gun is carried all day and sadly fired relatively little.

The suggestions about stock fit and a good pad (like Limbsaver or Kickeeze) are well-made. Also, obviously but probably not usefully, a gas gun would have "softer" recoil spread out over a longer time period for an easier subjective experience at the butt end of the stock.

OK PA4476 - what's YOUR problem and what is wrong with my statement? You want to use sarcastic and barf emoticons? Based on what? Sounds like you have no clue

What a moron..................go back to your video game...

Great info on the gun/load, you really can handload 20 ga to 28 ga performance very easily. You may consider getting her a nice shooting vest. Most target vests have a bit of padding- look for one that fits her and has ample padding. Also be sure she has good hearing protection, shooting glasses, and good quality shooting gloves. Much of perceived recoil is actually the loud report, this can cause flinching. Shooting gloves really can soak up recoil, esp if she has small hands. Also be sure she mounts the gun properly, with a classic stance-no leaning back at the waist and shooting off her right foot!!
Good luck.