need advice on a first time shotgun

[xbox360]

I am about to buy my first shotgun. I am looking between a 12ga and 20ga. wally world has a 20ga for 210$ mossberg its short barrel very good for HD.
I really want but I wish it was in 12ga(barrel is longer the store clerk told me). I dont really know nothing about 10,16,24,28ga's and I dont want to get into them. I know of .410 12ga 20ga most common. What is the difference in 12ga/20ga like recoil? but 12ga is more common than 20ga. So the 12ga would be easy to find ammo, the 20 I dont know how hard its to find ammo for it?

 

[vicdotcom]

I am a BIG fan of the 20 gauge over the 12 for many personal reasons. BUT if you really want a 12, I say save, wait, or go somplace else for the 12 gauge that you want.

I can tell you from experience that if you get your "second choice" on a firearm for your first, you will spend the entire time thinking of what you REALLY wanted.

It is a "grass is greener on the other side" type thing.

 

[xbox360]

is it harder to find 20ga ammo? and the 20ga has less recoil than a 12ga

 

[tactikel]

X, what did you want to use the shotgun for ? hunting (upland or waterfowl), SD, big game (deer)? I have 2 12 ga shotguns, but really like a 20 ga for all upland game (with 3" chambers for pheasant/grouse). for waterfowl, or deer get a 12 ga. A pumpgun will serve you a lifetime, the UO or SS are fast pointing, and for second shots.

 

[xbox360]

its for HD. Thats why I was looking at the shortbarreled

 

[xbox360]

I wouldnt use a shotgun on game hunt because it leaves pellets in them lol.. I would hunt with a rifle

 

[Maverick223]

I wouldnt use a shotgun on game hunt because it leaves pellets in them lol.. I would hunt with a rifle

They make slugs fer them there things I agree (if allowed where you live) a rifle is the way to go.

The recoil on a 12Ga is significantly greater than a 20Ga, about 50% more energy which many people will describe as being perceived as about double. It is about equal to the energy of a .338RUM but over a longer period of time (and thus feels much less severe) so it is difficult to describe accurately. I would say a non-Remington 45-70 round is comparable to 12Ga Buckshot.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Before you buy, beg, borrow or rent your way into some trigger time with a variety of makes, models and gauges. IOW, try before you buy. Ask family members, friends, co-workers etc. you know who hunt/shoot to let you try their shotguns. Or find a range or gun club that offers rentals. Don't worry too much about details like barrel length at first, if you can't find anyone you know who owns a riot gun. Concentrate on getting some experience with various guns. You can make a better choice based on experience than based in advice.

And you can get some pointers along the way as well...

lpl

 

[Al Thompson]

Agree with Lee. (as usual)

Post your location, perhaps someone is near by and can get you some range time.

 

[oneounceload]

A 20 gauge gun is also usually lighter than a 12, so any reduced recoil from the payload is offset, and is sometimes more, with the lighter gun. You also will have greater choices for HD ammunition in 12 over 20

 

[Jon_Snow]

12 ga recoil can also be dealt with through the use of a good recoil pad. One of my coworkers owns an 870 in 20 with a 26" barrel and I have one in 12with a 28" barrel. I have the new Supercell pad on mine and his pad is 10 years old. ALL of the now 7 people we've taken trap shooting have said that my 12 kicks less than his 20.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

I agree on getting a supercell or something else new.

Also, if you get a 20, you'll want it as heavy as a 12 so you actually have less recoil.

 

[Maverick223]

IOW, try before you buy.

Very good advice, always try (at least shoulder, shoot if you can) b4 you commit to buy. There are a lot of firearms that are the best...for someone...but that may not be you. If you stick with a well-known major brand and do research you should be able to find several shotguns that fit your needs and budget. Then all you need to do is go to a decently stocked (you don't have to buy it there) gunstore and try all of them out. Shoulder it and work the action to see how it feels, then buy what you like, NOT what someone tells you to buy.

Post a list of requirements/likes for a new shotgun and I will do my best to steer you towards some good choices to look at. Some things to consider are...
1.Gauge-you really need to shoot a 12 and 20 before you decide, but if you are comfortable with a hot 45-70 either should be fine.
2.Price-what is your budget
3.Intended Use-is it for HD only? Hunting (is so what)? Skeet (type)?
4.Action Type-semi, pump, single, double (OU or SbS), bolt action, lever?
4.Barrel Length-you want a short bbl for HD right? How short?
5.Barrel Type-rifled barrel (for sabot slugs) or smoothbore only
6.Stock Type-do you prefer pistol grip stock? A folder?
7.Approximation of Fitment-What is your height/weight/reach
8.Finish Proffered-wood or synthetic? Blue, Matte Black, or SS?

 

[vicdotcom]

12 ga recoil can also be dealt with through the use of a good recoil pad. One of my coworkers owns an 870 in 20 with a 26" barrel and I have one in 12with a 28" barrel. I have the new Supercell pad on mine and his pad is 10 years old. ALL of the now 7 people we've taken trap shooting have said that my 12 kicks less than his 20.

I never bought into the whole "toss a reocil pad on the 12 gauge and it will kick less than a 20" argument.
Here is why:

Felt recoil of a 12 ga with a recoil pad < felt recoil of 20 ga without recoil pad
Sure. Well no one ever takes that to the next step of the argument! Which is put the recoil pad on the 20ga!

Felt recoil of 20 ga with recoil pad < Felt recoil of 12 ga with same pad

So why not put that recoil pad you got for the 12ga and put it on the 20ga. Then you can shoot 20 ga all day and it feels like a .22! (well maybe that is an exageration but you get the idea).

You hear so much about "the 12 gauge with the recoil pad" having less recoil than a 20 gauge without a recoil pad.
Well padding the 20 gauge would make the recoil even better!

 

[Jon_Snow]

Vic, you've got a good point. I guess what I should have said is that with the recoil pad, the 12 ga has very manageable recoil. I'm tall, skinny and, I'll admit, somewhat recoil-adverse. I shoot 75-100 rounds a week through my 870 trap gun and I have yet to go home with a sore or bruised shoulder. In fact I'd be out there much longer if I thought my girlfriend would let me get away with it. A good pad on a 20 ga is bound to kick even less but you're missing the point. Some people choose 20 over 12 because the 12 kicks 'too hard'. They give up some shot and muzzle velocity because of this. With a good pad the recoil becomes a non issue and you won't be limiting yourself.

 

[vicdotcom]

Some people choose 20 over 12 because the 12 kicks 'too hard'.

I agree with you there. Choosing 20 over 12 ONLY because of just recoil alone as the argument is easily taken care of with a recoil pad. There are a lot of other factors that should be considered when deciding.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Recoil can be a very subjective thing, and is most certainly the result of a number of different factors. As with most things having to with shotguns, overgeneralizing can be dangerous to your facts. Physics is a very unforgiving science, after all.

As a general rule, 12 gauge guns are heavier than 20 gauge guns. As a general rule, felt recoil is less with a heavier gun than a lighter one. The more payload you launch and the faster it goes, the more it will have "an equal and opposite reaction"- recoil, in other words. Heavy loads out of a 20 gauge, the equivalent of 12 gauge loads in a lighter weight gun overall, are very likely to produce more felt recoil than similar loads out of a heavier 12 gauge gun.

There are other considerations as well. Gun fit is a critical factor. A proper gun mount and good form in shooting make a lot of difference. Premium recoil pads can help a lot in managing felt recoil. So can adding weight to the gun in ways that either don't affect balance, or that work to improve it.

But overgeneralizations can cause problems...

lpl

 

[owlhoot]

In my book, the 12 Ga. is the way to go. Only a madman goes out and shoots a box of 00 buck for fun. Familarize yourself with the gun using light target loads. Fire a few 00 buck so you'll know what to expect if you ever, God forbid, have to use the gun in defense. But do your practice with light loads.

One of the most crucial factors in handling recoil is to properly mount the gun to the pocket in your shoulder.

Fit is important, I notice that many people who put a recoil pad on their shotguns do not cut the stock and thus end up with a stock that is too long. I find that it is better to have a stock a little too short than a little too long.

 

[Maverick223]

Only a madman goes out and shoots a box of 00 buck for fun.

I agree...000 is what I shoot for fun.