I think I want to start hunting

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Saturnine

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My girlfriend and I have been thinking about going pheasant hunting, but I dont know enough about shotguns to know what to get. My family has a few 20 gauges(Remington 1100, Remington 870, Savage BSE Series H) in the safe, they were given to us by an uncle along with a few other guns, but I've been away at school and havent tried them out yet. My girlfriend brought up how she'd like to try pheasant hunting after a lecture by one of our professors that involved a bit about hunting(I think it was the cute dog that won her over). She's previously shown no interest in firearms, and I want to make sure her first experience is a good one.

I'm finally moving off campus and will be able to own firearms, and the area isnt too great so I was hoping I could pick up something that would be suitable for defense as well, but I think using a gun capable of taking down a man may be overkill for the poor pheasant. Will I need two different guns? I'm about average size for a guy, and I dont think I'd have much of a problem with recoil, but my girlfriends pretty small and I doubt she'd last too long with anything with much of a kick(at least at first). I'd like to get at least one new gun, maybe two if the others I mentioned above arent suitable. What do you guys suggest for someone relatively new to shotguns, and his tiny girlfriend?

Thanks guys,
Alex
 
In my opinion:

You and your girlfriend can both shoot a 20 gauge at pheasants. I would recommend that you practice, practice, practice. If you shoot a 12 gauge you should practice, practice, practice.

Most people shoot 12 gauges at pheasants. I would not shoot less than an 20 gauge at pheasants.

You can take down a man with a 12 or 20 gauge; dependent on the load in the gun.

Please practice.
 
Both the 1100 and the 870 in 20 gauge would be very good for pheasant hunting. With the proper load, they will do very well for HD as well. I'd suggest that you use the 870 and she use the 1100 since the recoil would be much less for her. Then it is a case of seeing that the guns fit properly. If the length of pull (LOP) of the 1100 is too long for her, you may have to invest in a shorter stock or get that one cut down to fit. The main thing will be putting in time at a range getting safety and instruction down well. Then I would suggest patterning the guns so you understand what they will do and shoot some clay birds. Get in a lot of shooting time before you ever go into the field. Walking through pheasant cover is a very bad place to try to learn how to use your shotgun. That would guarantee a bad experience for both of you.
 
Thanks for the advice guys, keep it coming.

I definitely plan on practicing a lot, I'm afraid we might not be ready in time for the season, but I'd rather wait than go out unprepared.
 
A 20 ga. will due for both. Practice with light loads. (the cheap stuff usually is not light) Hunt with heavy loads. Pheasants are tough birds, I like a hot load with 5 shot. good luck. (don't forget to lead them or you will be eating tail feather soup)
 
Go dig around the 101 threads here on gun fit, gun handling, etc.

Go shoot your guns allot, then shoot them some more:D

Find somebody who hunts and go with them. Else, find a nice game preserve and go "pheasant shoping" with your shotguns.

Don't get angry when your girlfriend becomes a better shot then you:evil:
 
Do NOT get any recoil reducing stocks.
Learn proper gun fit, correct basics and fundamentals.
NEVER learn to shoot with a crutch.

Shotguns are pointed, NOT aimed. Hunting is moving targets. Pheasants are moving targets.

Serious Use?
Best kept secret is a 1100 in 20 gauge. Or any Semi such as a Beretta 303, 390, 391., Win 1400 etc.

Why? Because there a LOT of folks that shoot Skeet with such a gun and they have LOTs of shells fired with a gun that fits them, and has become an extension of them.
They have shot under pressure, in all sorts of weather.

These folks have dropped more shells filling a shell pouch than the Tacticool has ever fired.

Give me a lady with a 1100 20 gauge semi that shoots Registered Skeet to watch my six any day of the week and twice on Sunday over anyone with a Tack-Tickle shotgun with fuzzy dice and curb feelers bolted onto it.

IN fact I have had these same ladies watch my back in a serious situation !

Now, the high round count folks, that after 100k, 200k, 300k, 400k even half a million rounds that developed Detached Retina, or neck injuries or other ailments from shooting a LOT.

They do use smaller gauge shotguns because of Doctors Orders.
Some do get special stocks , made of Wood that do absorb recoil.

By Golly, these folks can shoot, and from doing a helluva lot of it, they have a need for these special enhancements.
They did not learn on crutches.

There is a place for equipment for task. LEO, Military and all.
These folks learn on full stocked shotguns first...then using what learned, can and do transition to special equipment for task.

Good Grief Margo! Why can't folks ...oh this is like taking first steps and running a marathon the next day.
Walking into first grade and wanting to come home the first day with PhD.
Getting the training wheels off a bike and wanting to do the big bike races...

Oh phooey! I give up on some folks back some 30 years ago and this fru-fru has gotten worse that we ever imagined!

Get some lessons from a seasoned shooter, with gun fit and have fun.
Focus on the leading most edge of target and slap trigger.

Judas Priest on a pogo stick, we got a epidemic of tack-tickle gone nutzoid!

Stay tuned kiddies next week we will learn how to make mud pies with Ultimate-Extreme Carbon Fiber Adjustable Recoil Reducing Laser Enhanced Barbie Stoves...
 
Second the Remington 1100 in 20 its a lightweight low recoiling fast handling upland bird gun.
A 12 can be a bit much for some gals and even some guys although they wont admit it, better to hit it with a 20 than miss it with a 12.
A youth stock or shortened stock that fits just right to drop and length of pull is the hot ticket and some like internal chokes others like something like a Poly Choke which allows differnt settings and a bit of recoil reduction.
Also a set of High Viz sights can help allot.
YMMV
 
sm said:
Good Grief Margo! Why can't folks ...oh this is like taking first steps and running a marathon the next day.
Walking into first grade and wanting to come home the first day with PhD.
Getting the training wheels off a bike and wanting to do the big bike races...

Oh phooey! I give up on some folks back some 30 years ago and this fru-fru has gotten worse that we ever imagined!

Get some lessons from a seasoned shooter, with gun fit and have fun.
Focus on the leading most edge of target and slap trigger.

Judas Priest on a pogo stick, we got a epidemic of tack-tickle gone nutzoid!

Stay tuned kiddies next week we will learn how to make mud pies with Ultimate-Extreme Carbon Fiber Adjustable Recoil Reducing Laser Enhanced Barbie Stoves...
Click to expand...

Yes, but these are pheasants we're talking about man- PHEASANTS!

At least a laser (green!), and perhaps some "dragon's breath" shells... flechettes at the very least. And be sure you've made out your will.
 
<hiding under bed, shaking>

Yes, but these are pheasants we're talking about man- PHEASANTS!
Click to expand...

Never hunted Pheasants.

Quail I know about. Them things also explode at your feet!

We mount .50cals on Crop Dusters down here in the South.

All that crap about Gentlemen Quail hunts, Wood and Blue Shotguns in 28 ga, fine bird dogs, horse drawn wagons... is just Phooey to get Yankees to come down and spend money...

Gun fit to shooter, pattern boards and lessons! Ha! All just a bunch of crap.

One rides out in Tank , them Quail explode at your feet remember?

Dogs are specially bred, like TEEM Walrus uses, - they spot the birds
Then we call in the Crop Dusters for an Air Strike.

"Lucky Lucy, up there darlin' ?

[Lucky Lucy is one of the Crop Duster pilots ]

And here she comes with that Nose Art of "Fonzie" wearing his Leather Jacket with the Kilroy patch and T shirt...

Sight to behold...I tell ya.

Back at the [strike] barracks [/strike] Big House, we wipe off wood and blue shotguns, and get a good story made up of Quail Coveys, Flushes, Great shots taken, watching the dogs work...

"Coming in low and hot boys, rat-a-tat-tat,rat-a-tat-tat,rat-a-tat-tat..."
- Lucky Lucy

;)
 
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