I have to disagree on the 1100 vs. muzzleloader comparison, without qualifying the "muzzleloader". There are two basic types of recoil, actual and percieved. While the actual recoil may be lighter in one gun compared to another, IF that one gun has a stock ill fitted to the person shooting, or that person does not properly shoulder the gun or rifle (lifts the cheek from the stock for example) then the percieved recoil may be very uncomfortable for the shooter. The 1100 being gas operated is pretty easy on the shooter.
Further, one cannot simply state a "muzzleloader will have less recoil", while it is only true that it might have less recoil. 20 Gauge rifled slugs run on average from 260 grains to 385 grains (7/8 oz.) While a muzzleloader might shoot a patched round ball, a conical bullet, or a sabot slug. The patched round ball would likely have the least recoil, as it would have the lowest mass and be fired with less than a "hot" powder load. However, you would find that conical bullets for the .50-.54 caliber ML family will run from 260 grains to 435 grains or more, and most folks overcharge (imho) their muzzleloaders, so in such a case the kick would be larger. Some inlines shoot conicals such as Powerbelts or TC Maxi-ball or Maxi-hunter the best, so the lighter sabot round isn't an option.
An inline shooting a sabot round is probably what was meant by the reference (Post #6 does a good job defining what was meant), and with a reasonable powder load, would recoil less, and be very accurate. The advantage is that you can "dial up or dial down" the powder load to where she is comfortable, which you can't do with factory ammo. The disadvantage is that even a modern in-line is a bit more complicated to load than an 1100.
I would bet that a factory loaded slug for the 1100 will meet your needs, though you may have to try several before you find the right one. I personally like Brenneke slugs from a smooth barrel, with the lightest slug and powder load available. For me and my 870 they do very well. No need to use a 3" magnum, with that heavy a projectile. I prefer the Brenneke slug to the Foster slug in my gun, as I get the best accuracy from them, but you may have different results.
I also have found that even when the weight of the slugs is the same, and the velocities on the outside of the box are listed as the same..., slugs "feel" different when you shoot them, when made by different companies. So try many different loads for accuracy and recoil comparison from your 1100.
LD
