Shotgun: Need Suggestions

[sisu]

Hi
Here is the situation: I know this boy that wants to go deer hunting. He passed his certification and has a license. He is in middle school. He is a good kid. He has no father. I am thinking about taking him small game hunting to provide guidance and see how he performs and then take him deer hunting for one weekend. I have an old Stevens 20 gauge side by side. I used this gun for years when training gun dogs. It has a plastic stock. I thought I would let him use the gun for small game, and then for deer I would put slugs in it. I know that side by sides cross the shot location some distance from the barrel. In the blind that we will be in, the shot will be no longer than 30 yds. So, can I use slugs, what kind of slug, and how do I determine the choke, there is no marking that would indicate whether it is full, modified, imp. cylinder or cylinder choke? What kind of slug can I shoot? Is it true with Breneke slugs it will pass through anything choke modified or larger. Remember guys I want the boy to have a positive fun experience, can we give a little on the gun choice to allow him to have a deer hunting experience. I have strong reservations about letting him shoot a high powered rifle he is a little small for his age and has no experience shooting rifles not even 22's. He has used a shotgun in his certification program. OK what are your thoughts?

 

[JimKirk]

A 20 GA ...shooting a 7/8 oz load gives about 16 ft/lbs of recoil depending on the weight of the gun. So he also could handle a rifle ... a 243 has about 9 ft/lbs of recoil, again depending on the gun weight. 257 Roberts around 10 ft/lbs. 260 Rem. around 11 ft/lbs, even the 270 with 130 gr is around 16 ft/lbs.

I'm glad you're taking the kid hunting, wish more people would do that!

Jimmy K

 

[bigalexe]

Well for small game & Deer I have to recommend Rossi.

Rossi sells a .22lr/20ga combo of their Break-Action gun. This is not an Over/Under but 2 different barrels. Some other combos to consider:

.410/.22lr, in case recoil is a problem because the Rossi is a light gun being a single-shot
.22lr/20ga/.50ML, that's everything right there.
.17hmr/20ga
.223/20ga, this is the center-fire combo I would pick because I am not sure if going up to .243 would destroy small game or not.

The Rossi rifles are cheap guns, they shoot decently but will not be setting any records. Really they offer shotgun .410,20ga&12ga and rifle .17hmr,.22lr,.223, & .243, along with the 50 Muzzle-Loader, if you want a combo of those any which way they probably got it. These are all in the range of good starting calibers.

Again though I would say the .410 or the 20ga combined with the .22lr is the way to go. That will knock over whitetail deer, rabbits, squirrels, and birds. Also I really like these for starters because they are single-shot guns with a mechanical safety so they are easy to operate and teach good habits.

 

[MAKster]

Shotgun slugs have a lot of recoil. A rifle like a .243 has much less recoil and would be better for a child, but if you a sticking with the sxs get a good butt pad.

 

[DPris]

Barrel regulation on doubles can vary widely from gun to gun. Using shot, that may not be as apparent & isn't as critical as when hunting with slugs.
Before you make any further plans, I'd take the gun out & test for regulation at the distance you think it might be used.
You may be surprised to find six inches or more between impact points (on any plane, vertical or horizontal) from both barrels. And you may be surprised to see neither barrel prints slug holes where you'd think they should.

I understand your reasoning, but you may be handicapping the boy on his first hunt in your choice of gun. With no sights as such and the strong possibility that the barrels may not be regulated anywhere close to each other, it may negatively affect his hunt. Firsttime hunts are memories to be retained forever, and can either form the foundation for an enduring interest or cause him to lose it entirely.

Not saying he has to have a guaranteed deer the first time out, but equipment does matter, and a double may not be the best choice..

Otherwise, you can shoot any lead Foster or Brenneke slug through any fixed choke & most screw-ins.
You raise pressures slightly in Full, but the slugs are designed to swage down if necessary.

Denis

 

[oneounceload]

The main thing with shotguns, especially SxS, is fit. If it doesn't fit, it's gonna hurt, ESPECIALLY with slugs. Are you mandated to use shotguns where you live? If so, there might be some other alternatives, like borrowing pump or similar. If not mandated, a 243 or similar would do the job - even a lever 30-30 at the distances mentioned. He'll need to practice with whatever you choose.

Congrats on a really great gesture on your part.