My wife has been asking me to take her skeet shooting. I found a range close by but I don't have a shotgun that we can use. All I have is a 870 slug gun, Mossberg 590 and a 500 with a 18 inch barrel. All three are 12 gauge. I would really like to start her with a 20 guage. Preferably with semiauto, maybe an 1100 or Beretta. Unfortunately there aren't any economically priced semi auto shotguns. I was thinking of a getting a single shot Stoeger single barrel hunter (hammerless) in 20 gauge. On the company site they only run a $119. I figure that if she enjoys skeet shooting I can save up and buy a $700 semiauto 20 guage. Thanks.
Is a single shot okay for busting clays
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Brian Dale
Member
Excellent! The only correct response from us is to write, take her!
I'm sure that others will weigh in with more appropriate, specific suggestions, but I want to say this: you won't have to spend $700 just to let her try shooting skeet.
Does a range near you rent guns, either semiautos, or 20ga., or semi 20? Your plan to have her start with an autoloading 20 does sound like a great idea. Lighter recoil and less muzzle blast make shooting a little more comfortable, and some of those 20s are really sweet. It'll be affected by the shape of the stock and the way it fits her, but single-shots will typically give more felt recoil than gas-operated autoloaders. {Edited to add: and weight! - see posts below. Geez, Happy Bob.}
Some folks find recoil to be very manageable with light (like 7/8ths oz.) 12ga loads, although that doesn't make the gun weigh less in the hands. Don't give up on the possibility of her using your 12s for a first time out. IF you use light-kicking loads, shooting what you've got beats not going shooting, IMO.
I don't see your location. Other THR members might be able to steer you to ranges near you where she can rent a comfortable clays gun. If you're near Raleigh, NC, I can do that. At the risk of being too forward on others' behalf, it's not unheard of for a THR member to write, "sure, I'll be at the range this weekend; she can try mine." I'd offer myself, but the SGs I have in town right now are both older, recoil-operated 12s (with more felt recoil than gas-operated guns).
When you're ready to buy, used Remingtons and Berettas are frequently available from people who have first bought semis, then found out that they loved busting clays, and succumbed to "Iwannaprettygunvirus" This condition is related to the "Iwannacoolgunvirus" that afflicts (
) more tactical folks. People have been known to sell their perfectly wonderful autoloaders (more commonly, but NOT always, 12ga) and buy pretty double guns once they're hooked on clay games. All of my SGs were used when I got them, and I'm happy with every one of them. Others here can do an excellent job of telling you what to look for if you go that route. There's an active thread about a related, but NOT identical, Q here at
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=45851
More at http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=45574
In addition, there's wisdom in getting a first lesson from someone (like a range instructor) other than spouse. As always, others here know more.
As you search THR, you'll encounter folks who really know what they're doing, whose recommendations are golden. I'm just an enthusiastic shooter with a lot less experience than they have. I know one thing for sure, though: You two are gonna have fun.
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TrapperReady
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Don't assume that 20ga means light recoil. My wife started with a 20 Benelli M1 Field. It's a great little gun, but very light. I don't find the kick to be much/any better than a 12ga autoloader.
After she started using my 12ga Benelli Montefeltro, she started breaking more clays and her shooting has really improved. BTW, she's 5'3" and barely over 110#.
What I've found with her is that she needs a gun that is light enough to manage. Recoil doesn't seem to be the problem so much as overall weight. Both Benellis are relatively light, so she can easily handle them.
Winchester makes some off-the-shelf 12ga AA target ammo which is loaded at 1oz and very light powder charges. Personally, I think that's the way to go.
After she started using my 12ga Benelli Montefeltro, she started breaking more clays and her shooting has really improved. BTW, she's 5'3" and barely over 110#.
What I've found with her is that she needs a gun that is light enough to manage. Recoil doesn't seem to be the problem so much as overall weight. Both Benellis are relatively light, so she can easily handle them.
Winchester makes some off-the-shelf 12ga AA target ammo which is loaded at 1oz and very light powder charges. Personally, I think that's the way to go.
C.R.Sam
Moderator Emeritus
I filled the pot and busted clays for a few years with a light 20ga double.
Then tried my mom's 12ga Superposed Trap gun and never looked back.
Found that I had been putting up with far too much recoil from a gun that was both too light and ill fitting.
Fit of gun to the person is a biggie.
Sam
Then tried my mom's 12ga Superposed Trap gun and never looked back.
Found that I had been putting up with far too much recoil from a gun that was both too light and ill fitting.
Fit of gun to the person is a biggie.
Sam
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
A couple things to add to the wisdom already posted. You guys are one helpful and savvy lot!
First, a single is NOT a good shotgun to start off on for most folks. The weight is too low compared to the load for comfort. Back when the Brits made wonderful shotguns for aristocrats they evolved the Rule of 96, which said the best compromise between portability and felt recoil was when the shotgun weight was 96 times the shot weight. Clays guns shoot around an oz of shot and often weigh over 8 lbs.Toted little, shot lots.
There's a lesson therein.
Second,it's best if SHE picks her shotgun, with advice given by an Instructor, female preferably. Most instructors know summat about fit. And lessons from such an instructor are of inestimable value.
The 391 Beretta's an excellent choice for smaller statured folks of any gender in the RL (Reduced Length) variant. And the softer kick is a treasure. Like Sam, I started on hard kickers and my first 870 (With solid steel mag plug weighing over one lb) was a revelation.
Third,use the lightest loads you can find.7/8 oz busts skeet targets like 2 oz would.
Now go have fun!!
First, a single is NOT a good shotgun to start off on for most folks. The weight is too low compared to the load for comfort. Back when the Brits made wonderful shotguns for aristocrats they evolved the Rule of 96, which said the best compromise between portability and felt recoil was when the shotgun weight was 96 times the shot weight. Clays guns shoot around an oz of shot and often weigh over 8 lbs.Toted little, shot lots.
There's a lesson therein.
Second,it's best if SHE picks her shotgun, with advice given by an Instructor, female preferably. Most instructors know summat about fit. And lessons from such an instructor are of inestimable value.
The 391 Beretta's an excellent choice for smaller statured folks of any gender in the RL (Reduced Length) variant. And the softer kick is a treasure. Like Sam, I started on hard kickers and my first 870 (With solid steel mag plug weighing over one lb) was a revelation.
Third,use the lightest loads you can find.7/8 oz busts skeet targets like 2 oz would.
Now go have fun!!
sm
member
Thanks for the replies. I'll see if the range rents guns, but someone recently told me that you cannot rent a gun in the state of NJ. No big deal, I'll start saving and see if I can find a used one. I will definitely get her some instruction, actually I'll get both of us some instruction. We already started with NRA basic pistol course this November. Thanks again.
Jim Watson
Member
A 26" barrel for your 870 or 500 won't cost much more than a cheap single barrel that will kick your wife beyond any further interest in shooting.
A pump is pretty demanding for regulation skeet, though; doubles are shot on 4 of the 8 stations, 8 out of 25 targets.
How about 16 yard Trap singles to start?
If Skeet is definitely preferred, go the bucks for an auto.
Look for AA or similar Extra Light target loads, 12 gauge w. 1.0 oz of shot. Most of the 26 gram or 7/8 oz loads you see are either cheap promotional loads or international target loads, both at high velocity with more recoil than a 1 oz target load. One ounce cheap game loads are about as bad, look for the real target loads.
If you were here, she (OK, you too.) could shoot my 1100 or O/U. The latter with my ultra light loads, really 20 gauge ballistics in a 12 gauge gun. People are helpful, get acquainted.
A pump is pretty demanding for regulation skeet, though; doubles are shot on 4 of the 8 stations, 8 out of 25 targets.
How about 16 yard Trap singles to start?
If Skeet is definitely preferred, go the bucks for an auto.
Look for AA or similar Extra Light target loads, 12 gauge w. 1.0 oz of shot. Most of the 26 gram or 7/8 oz loads you see are either cheap promotional loads or international target loads, both at high velocity with more recoil than a 1 oz target load. One ounce cheap game loads are about as bad, look for the real target loads.
If you were here, she (OK, you too.) could shoot my 1100 or O/U. The latter with my ultra light loads, really 20 gauge ballistics in a 12 gauge gun. People are helpful, get acquainted.
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