First Shotgun, Rossi 20Ga. Youth trifecta package.

[mickeydim468]

I normally shoot riles (mostly for plinking), but I came across a package deal that just worked for me which included a .22lr, a .243Win, and a 20Ga shotgun. I bought it because when I pulled it up to aim it, it just felt good. I am a big guy, but I have short arms, so the LOP of 12.5" was just about right. I may need to add a 1/2" recoil pad to be perfect.

The shotgun is a new animal to me. I have never owned or shot one before 2 days ago, when I took the setup out to some BLM land and tried it out. I hit what I was shooting at, an old spray paint can that was laying in the field. It is almost disintegrated after 1 shot. That got my attention, to say the least. The shotgun barrel is 22" long and I don't know if that is god, bad, or indifferent. What advice can you tell me about my gun with regard to maybe trying out some skeet shooting and some bird hunting. What is a choke and how do you use it? What shot is best for what application ETC? I just found this forum for shotguns this morning, so I do need to do some more reading, but I thought if you all knew some shortcuts to some good info, it would be nice to not have to read everything right away, so I can get a jump start on really getting the most out of my new gun.

Any and all advice you can give is greatly appreciated. If there are things that I don't even know to ask, please include that stuff too!

Thanks,

Mikey!

P.S. here is a link to the Rossi USA web site so you can see what it is I have, so you can give your honest opinions of what I have.

http://rossiusa.com/products/matchedsets.cfm

The item number and specs of what I have is as follows:
* Item number: S2022243YBS (Matched Set 20-gauge/.22 LR/.243 Win. Youth Size)
* Barrel length: 22”/18½”/22”
* Finish: Matte Blue
* Weight (with each barrel): 6.3 LBS
* Overall length: 35”/31½”/35”
* Stock: Black Synthetic
I paid $249.00

Thanks again!

 

[mickeydim468]

Bump.

C'mon guys, I am new to shotguns and need some info.

Please help!

 

[SWAMPUS]

Shotgun info

Go to wickopedia[spelling?]/shotguns.Big long article explaining styles,gauges,chokes,shot size for what game,etc.Sounds like a neat combo for general all around use.You can do anything with a single shot except shoot skeet-doubles are a problem.

 

[Bud Tugly]

I have the Rossi youth combo in .22/.410. I bought it new about 6 years ago for $109. It isn't fancy, but it appears to be well made and has held up perfectly so far. I find it a great gun for rabbits/grouse/woodcock in heavy cover.

The combo you have is a great starter set since you can literally hunt pretty much any game in North America short of grizzly bears or moose. Most Rossi shotguns come with a fixed modified choke, which is probably the best all-around compromise.

I would start out with 7/8 ounce birdshot loads in 2 3/4" shells at first with the shotgun. Your gun can also shoot 1 ounce 2 3/4" shells plus 3" shells, but the recoil will get progressively stronger. This is a very light gun, which makes it a joy to carry but brutal with heavy loads unless you enjoy pain.

When I'm hunting I often carry a second shell in the palm of my left hand. With practice you can fire, eject the spent hull, and reload for a second shot in a surprisingly quick time. Folks who are very experienced with single shots have even been known to shoot doubles in skeet, although there are far better guns for that purpose.

 

[SilverShooter]

shot gun sports

The shot gun sports are IMHO the best of the shooting sports. The moving targets and the variety of games (with clays flying in all directions) keeps it fresh unlike handguns where the targets dont move, or rifles where you only take a one or two shots at an animal if you hunt.

To learn about the shot gun games: http://www.claytargetsonline.com/aboutthegames.php

To learn about SG types, shot shells, chokes and patterns, and to read reviews: http://www.chuckhawks.com/index2c.shotguns.htm

To hang out with the SG enthusiasts: http://www.trapshooters.com/cfpages/main_threads.cfm

To find SG ranges in your area: http://www.claytargetsonline.com/club_search.php

Good luck.




BTW...the combo is a great all around starter. Fit is most important to successful clay breaking. You don't aim a shot gun, you point it -- and you hit what you see.

 

[mgkdrgn]

THAT is an interesting looking combo. Lots of fun to be had there for sure.

 

[mickeydim468]

Thanks guys!

My wife and I went out to the nearest range in our area which is just shy of 60 miles away yesterday afternoon. We decided to join even though it is such a trek. I did some rifle shooting but the wind was blowing pretty hard so acuracy wasn't very good. I did find out that my new limb saver for my M1917 Remington works.

The point of mentioning this though is that this range has many members and tournaments for shotgun games. They meet 2-3 times a week and compete against other ranges in the region. We were urged to come out for the next games and watch and talk to some of the folks who participate. Also, this range is the only range for 100 miles and all of the law enforcement personnel and coast guard and national guard goes there to do their practice too. A lot of those folks also participate in the shotgun shooting as well as training for the members too. So, even though I am getting a late start in life in regards to handling and using firearms, I have found what should turn out to be a very good resource there to do more learning. You folks here have been great too, please don't get me wrong, but hands on work can't be matched online.

I will surely check out the links and stuff and I hope to someday pass the knowledge learned on to more shooters.

Mikey!

 

[mickeydim468]

Double post. Whoops!