New to shotguns

[Third_Rail]

So I recently bought a Mossberg 500a, and I have yet to really try it.

I live in MA near Lowell, and I can't find anywhere decent to try it out - not shoot clays or whatnot, but just get a feel for it.

I've never fired a shotgun before, but I have fired a 30-06 in a t-shirt... 50 times in 10 minutes.


I am wondering the following...

What is the recoil like compared to a midweight 30-06 with BRISK milsurp loads?
Is there anywhere online or books I can read to learn how to properly shoulder the shotgun?
Is there anywhere near my location that wouldn't be too expensive that would let me try my shotgun out? The closest I have figured out currently is Firing Line in Manchester, but I'd have to use slugs (which is probably a bad idea for a new shotgunner!)


Those are all the questions I can think of now. I'll post a picture of my shotgun later, probably.

 

[sm]

Third_Rail

Welcome to the World of Shotguns!

First off , I'm sure you are aware of the sticky at the top of this Forum.

Second , disregard any posts by me.

That'll get you started off in the right direction right fast.

Shotgunning: The Art And The Science - Bob Brister

Score Better At Skeet - Fred Misseldine

Score Better At Trap - Fred Misseldine

Though older publications - still chocked full of the most asked questions Shotgunners ask . Try www.abebooks,com.

You already know percieved recoil is lessened by gun fit to shooter, good hearing protection and Correct Basic Stance, and Fundamentals from shooting an '06.

Just add to what you already know 1) Mount Shotgun to Face. 2) Shotguns are pointed - NOT aimed.

You will be fine.

Regards,

Steve

 

[Third_Rail]

Mount Shotgun to Face

That has me a bit worried.


Elaborate? Do you mean cheekweld to the stock, or what?

 

[mnrivrat]

Start out with low base cheap ammo . (not slugs or magnums). More along the line of trap loads.

I think you will find that the 500 recoil is managable and about the same as the 06 you talked about. Maybe a little less sharpness to the recoil and more of a push than a jolt.

As to where to shoot - I am not at all familiar with your area so will let others comment.

 

[sm]

Third_Rail

Gun to face:

Rifle shooters have a couple of things to , for lack of a better description, "Unlearn".

- Keep eyes focused on Leading edge of target, from a low gun position the stock goes out from body , all the while the eyes are focused on target, stock comes back into face , then into shoulder pocket. Again while this is all occurring shooter is focused and following the target with eyes, body turns to follow path, the muzzle is unconciously following path of target, shooter is never really aware of muzzle, or front bead ...it is "there" , but the shooters eyes focus on the target - NOT front bead or muzzle.

-Keep the gun moving.

Imagine a garden hose and trying to spray a running dog. You don't aim down the length of hose, you follow the path of dog with your eyes, you allow the human computer of hand and eye coordination to work. You start out a bit behind the dog, get the speed and angle of dog, swing through and Keep swing through to wet the dog.


Clear as mud huh? See #2 above - don't read my posts. I tried to tell ya...

 

[Third_Rail]

I understand how to hit a moving target, and I seem to be really good at it.

I have yet to understand how to hit something with a shotgun without aiming....


I guess I'll have to wait until I can find somewhere to try it, I don't want to use slugs as a start!

 

[sm]

You know more than you give yourself credit for knowing.

The human being with its human computer , part of which is the eye / hand coordination is...awesome.

I just have to remember to not let ME Think. I will screw up what the human computer can do better.

psst ...little know tip...beef jerkey...yep even if you just have it in your pocket it improves shotgun skills. Try shooting w/o , then with...you'll see

 

[Dave McCracken]

Welcome aboard. The Shotgun 101 threads will help, they were written with new shotgunners in mind.

Focussing on bringing your shotgun to your face instead of your shoulder means your head stays closer to upright, a good thing when shooting. And if the weapon is correctly placed on your face, it'll also be correctly placed on your shoulder.

And feel free to ask questions. The usual suspects here have centuries of accumulated experience and there's little in Shotgunland someone among the regulars hasn't done.

Finally, slugs and buck, heavy loads in general are for later. Start off with the lightest loads possible. 7/8 oz loads are ideal. Trust me on this.

 

[proven]

welcome

check out the 101 threads at the top, especially the one on fit, and try some dry mounts at home. you'll become more acquainted with your shotty and possibly save yourself a sore shoulder when you do hit the range. a 12 guage's recoil isn't uncomfortable with proper mounting technique, but get it wrong and you'll probably be sore. as dave said save the heavy stuff for later.

these guys have alot of good info and are great at passing that info on. stick around, ask some questions and do some searches, your bound to find any answers and info you're might need.


brian

 

[TrapAddict]

Queryeth:
"Is there anywhere online or books I can read to learn how to properly shoulder the shotgun?"

Answereth:
Yeah, a bunch o' places, but the best and *easiest* way is to find an instructor who will have you mounting the gun correctly from the first with a minimum of confusion on your part.

Queryeth:
"Is there anywhere near my location that wouldn't be too expensive that would let me try my shotgun out?"

Answereth:
A quick check of Amateur Trapshooting Association clubs in Mass. at www.shootata.com shows 3 ATA registered clubs "near" Lowell MA:

Holbrook Sportsman Club www.holbrooksportsmanclub.com Holbrook, MA
Minuteman Sportsman Club www.minutemansporstsmanclub.com Burlington,MA
Westford Sportsman Club www.westford.com/sportsmen Westford,MA

Since these are all ATA clubs, they'll have trap lines fer sher, probably have instructors, and this is just the trap clubs. Keep in mind that skeet shooting was invented there in MA and www.mynssa.com will take you to the NSSA home page (the governing body of American skeet) where you can dig up all the skeet clubs in MA. And that doesn't cover Sporting Clays ...

 

[kudu]

If you are going to be shooting clays, birds, moving targets, etc. you need to remember that you really should keep both eyes open on a shotgun, this helps in the pointing dept. With one eye it would be fine with slugs and buckshot where you are aiming at a precise point.

Do try to find the books mentioned by sm, they will give you a very good outline of shotgun fit and use. Not all the posts by sm are to be ignored, just the ones that his mind starts to wander. he he he

Do find an instuctor if possible, they can get you going the right direction immediately and you won't be searching for the right way to do things endlessly.

DO read the 101 threads that Dave has going for newer shotgunners, and us practicing ones.

Have fun.