Recoil

[J_McLeod]

I have a Mossberg 500 and occasionally go shoot clays with. Due to my small frame and the heavy recoil, I only shoot 2-3 boxes at a time. My wife doesn't want to shoot more than 2-3 rounds with it. How much of a difference would getting a 20ga make? Or a .410? Could one shoot clays with a .410?

 

[BeerSleeper]

20 ga really doesn't kick substantially less than 12.

Get some light target loads (7/8 oz or less, 1200fps or less). That will lighten the recoil more than anything.

 

[wetley49]

I thought the 500 was a little light. I'd get another 12 gauge with a little more weight to it. You are shooting target loads, right? Some might suggest a 28 gauge but I know nothing about them.

 

[RaceM]

Get a better recoil pad. Stock Mossy pads are too stiff.

 

[allaroundhunter]

Get a limbsaver recoil pad. Best $25 you'll ever spend to tame recoil

 

[timber crasher]

Last year I bought my 10 year old a new youth model 500 Mossberg 20 gauge.One of the older guys at our gun club noticed the length of pull was too long for the boy while shooting trap last week.So I picked up a single shot 12 gauge that fit him perfectly with a ported barrel and some high tech recoil pad.Today He shot it for the first time,and after a box of standard trap loads,tells me it kicks less than the 20 gauge! I've heard that the ported barrels don't help much with felt recoil,but I had to try everything for the little guy's comfort.

 

[Virginian]

Now you know why not many people shoot clays with a light pump. There are lots of things you can do, add weight, better pad, etc., but a gas operated semi is probably in your future if you're serious.

 

[Fred Fuller]

JM,

Recoil can be pretty subjective sometimes. Felt recoil is going to depend on a number of factors, and many of those can be addressed in the shotgun itself. A heavier gun shooting lighter/slower loads is one approach. A premium recoil pad is another. Proper gun fit is critical. A gas operated semiauto is an approach that works for some shooters.

And good form and a good gun mount are shooter skills that can help too.

If your budget can manage it, take a look at the Remington 11-87 in 20 gauge, there's a youth model if that fits her better - http://www.remington.com/products/f.../model-11-87-sportsman-compact-synthetic.aspx .

 

[JohnnyK]

I just went shooting clays with my Mossberg 500 a couple weeks ago... get a limbsaver (which I use for my Saiga 12 and LOVE) or I just installed a knoxx recoil reducing stock on my 500 which greatly reduced recoil (not a single bruise on my shoulder after 300 shots between both shottys)... if I shot more than 2 boxes before with my pistol grip 500 it'd rip off the skin between my thumb and first finger.... 500s kick like a pissed off mule...

 

[Bud Tugly]

If you (and your wife) are very recoil sensitive and want to shoot clays, there is a .410 class. You may find breaking clays more difficult with a .410 but the recoil from the 2 1/2" shells with 1/2 oz of shot is very minimal.