Im new to Shotguns and need some help

[jcramin]

Like it says i am new to shotguns and have a few MORE questions.

My wife and I and my 13 year old son want to get into Sport shooting such as trap and skeet and maybe even sporting clays. My son and I will also be getting into Turkey hunting this year.

I am just trying to figure out what types of guns we need. Of course I dont want to buy several different, but I am willing to start out with maybe 2 different ones to just get started to make sure we like it.

BUT some of my questions are..
I know the difference between 12 gauge and 20 gauge, BUT whats the difference in how they are used ? What would someone use a 20 gauge for over a 12 gauge or 12 gauge over a 20 gauge.

I know I can get away with a pump for hunting, but could I get away with a pump for any of the clay shooting ?

Is there a big differance in shell size ? Do I really need a 3 1/2 inch ?

And what about barrel lengths ??? Whats good for the different sports and hunting ???

Thanks,
J

 

[Goblin]

20ga is generally considered more of a challenge in the sporting games because of it's lower pellet count(at least according to Peter Capstick). If you are going to buy 1 gun for ea. person, I would go with the value priced O/Us from Mossburg or Stoeger etc. Pumps are more difficult to learn with when shooting Skeet Or Clays becuse of the effect on your site picture.Trap is shot 1 at a time( in the beginning anyway), so it doesn't matter. But for all around use and safety, I think O/U is the way to go!!

ETA Oh!...and the barrels should be 28-30 inches long for all around target shooting!!!

 

[mnw42]

I'd stay away from the 3 1/2". 99% of target shooting is done with 2 3/4" shells and 3" should be more than adequate for turkeys. It has also been my observation that the 3 1/2" don't pattern well at all.

You can't beat a good pump gun. If you want a semi auto Benellis and Remington 1100s are hard to beat. Trap and target guns tend to have longer barrels to help smooth out your swing. Field guns have shorter barrels in order to make them more handy.

The key to any shotgun is fit. You should be able to mount the gun consistently and it should point right where you look. It doesn't matter what kind of gun it is or how much money you spend - if it doesn't shoulder well or fit right you'll miss birds and it will beat you up.

 

[T-Ray]

if you're on a budget, i'd go with two remington 870 expresses, one 12ga 28" and one 20ga 26". Obviously, if you pay more, you get more. If you can spend more money, step up to the 870 wingmasters for better quality/smoothness. I shoot clays with my 870 and i can cycle it just about as fast as a semi auto can, or rather as fast as you're going to shoot a semi auto, unless you're into that really quck stuff where you shoot 5 clays in 2 seconds

 

[Snarlingiron]

One of the biggest issues is just being able to handle the gun. My friend's 9 year old is shooting a youth model 20 ga. He has tried out the 12 ga, and can shoot it, but it is just a tad heavy for him.

Point I am making is that if you have smaller statured shooters, the 20 ga is nice just because it is generally a smaller gun, and weighs less. Thus it is handled better by a smaller statured person.

You have received some good advice. I personally disagree with the Over Under as a choice for a beginner. Gas operated guns have less perceived recoil (such as the Remington 1100), and make fine sporting guns. Many low end O/U's seem to be trouble prone.

I don't know what part of the country you are in, but here, a Beretta AL390 can be had either from Bass Pro, or Acadamy for $599.00. Synthetic stock, so you don't have to be worried about a scratch or ding, dead reliable right out of the box, and will last a lifetime. Add to that the fact that it can be adjusted to fit most shooters, and it is a pretty good deal. You are definitely dealing with a known and proven quantity, something that cannot be said for a lot of the low end guns on the market. Unfortunately, these are not available in 20 ga., at least not that I have been able to find.

 

[Dave McCracken]

The 3.5" shell was developed to compensate for the mediocre non toxic loads available in days gone by and to bluntly, sell shotguns to folks who already had perfectly usable shotguns.

Modern non tox loads are better and for the most part, the 3.5" loads are non productive comparted to the 3" magnum.

Everyone needs a good pump gun. Either the 870 or 500 will give generations of use. The 870 may last longer, but the 500 will outlast us.

Pumps are usable for clays, but not ideal.

As for gauge, 12s can carry a heavier payload. 20s are usually lighter. Do try out some and see what works for you.

And mine the archives. Oodles of input await thee.

 

[Cougfan2]

If you plan on getting into shotshell reloading, you can load some low recoil trap and skeet loads that might be more pleasant to shoot for your son and wife. I load a 1 oz 12 ga load using Hodgdon Clays that feels like a 20 ga load.

 

[Virginian]

If you want your wife and son to like shooting and want to keep shooting with you, and they are new to it, get a Remington 1100 20 gauge lightweight. If they are under 5'-9", I would recommend the youth model with the shorter stock. There is no sweeter shooting shotgun made.
You may be able to handle a pump shooting clays, but most people think the recoil gets old.
I would rather have a good gas autoloader than a mediocre Over and Under (or any Over and Under actually, but that's just me). After you get into it and form some personal preferences then you may want to get different guns. If you start with decent used 1100s, you will probably not lose a dime when you sell them, either.
I have now started 4 with 1100 youth models and no complaints yet.

 

[Mossberg535]

My opinion is just go ahead and get 12 guages for all.
that way you have lots of versatility.
I just had to let go of a nice MB 500 because I bought something other than a 12 gauge and didnt have the variety I ended up wanting ammo wise.
Everyone loves the 12g so they buy lots of ammo so the ammo makers go nuts with it.
I was 12 when I first shot a 12g and other than the magnums it was just fine..I loved shooting it.
If you get the 12g you can get a much broader range of ammo from pretty low power that a kid could handle up to magnum shells that will rattle your teeth.

 

[Trebor]

Make sure that both your wife and your sons have shotguns that fit them.

I can't give advice on how to check for fit, maybe some of the other posters here can do that, but I do know that fit is important and a wrong sized gun can be a major hinderance.

If nothing else, ask a knowledgable sales clerk. If he doesn't know how to check fit on a shotgun for a specific shooter, ask someone else.

They should both probably check out the "Youth" model guns. Those may be a good choice, depending on exactly how tall they each are and their arm length.

 

[VegasOPM]

Consider getting Remington 1100s in 12ga with 28" barrels and screw in chokes. They shoot pretty soft, especially with target loads. You can choke down for skeet (cyl or skeet) and choke up for trap (mod or full). Once you get serious, you can buy a dedicated skeet barrel and a trap barrel- while using the same upper. You can buy aftermarket stocks to help fit everyone. The pump guns are going to cause your family grief if you decide to do skeet. The doubles are hard enough without having to worry about pumping. Pumps also kick a bit harder.

 

[antiliberal454]

Has he ever shot a gun before if so what calibers, he can probaly handle a 12 gauge, i would go with that so when he gets older and grows more he will have that extra power, if the 12 is too much you can always put a good recoil pad on it, semis rreduce recoil, and you can by remingtons new reduced recoil loads? i think he will be fine though i am 14 i am 5'5'' and 110 pounds soaking wet and i can handle a 12 gauge just fine with 2 and 3/4 inch slugs i have a stevens model 67 i love it first shot gun i have ever owned and shot

 

[jpatterson]

My grandpa used to tell me to teach my kids to drive stick before teaching them how to run an automatic. I think it'd be smart to do the same with a shotgun (pump before semi). Mossberg 500's and Remington 870's are legendary for their reliability and practicality. I just got a Remington 870 on Tuesday and fell in love, hope you can figure something out that you like!

 

[younganddumb]

just go grab to 870's from remington or to 500's/535's from mossburg An d you will be fine shoting a pump at skeet I do and I got started around his age doing so with pump's I'm only 15 know but even then a 12 guage is nothing to me and if your going turkey you need a 12

 

[Virginian]

I would be the last person to ever try to lump all women in any one category for anything, but, if you want one to like shooting a shotgun, start with an 1100 in 20. She may evolve into an International live bird champion, shooting $20,000 12 gauge O/Us a hundred hot loads at a clip, but start the easy way.

 

[MCMXI]

I can't give advice on how to check for fit, maybe some of the other posters here can do that

A good way to check length of pull is to put the butt of the rifle or shotgun against your bicep with your arm folded so that the stock rests on your forearm. If the LOP is ideal for you, your finger should rest comfortably and naturally on the trigger (unloaded of course).

 

[Dave McCracken]

1858, that old method is only roughly accurate. Better to mount a shotgun KNOWN to be empty and note the distance between the thumb and nose. More than 3 fingers width, too long. Less than 2 fingers, too short.

 

[Virginian]

I have seen a professional stock fitter in action, and I can assure you they do not stick the gun in the crook of your arm, or count fingers to noses. The make sure the gun is empty, and then have you mount the gun pointing directly at them.

 

[Jim Watson]

I generally agree with the Virginian.

A 20 ga 1100 regular or youth depending on the build of your wife and adolescent will let them break any skeet target on the field in comfort. You should be able to handle the same gun in 12 gauge.

I recommend you start at skeet and stick with it until you are breaking some pretty good scores. It seems easier for a skeet shooter to learn trap than vice versa. And you need to be pretty good at the standard games to get a good start on sporting clays. Start jumping around from field to field and you will just get confused and miss a lot.

I don't know about turkey. The usual turkey gun is a tightly choked 12 gauge. Dad's 12 ga skeet gun with a full choke tube would be ok. Maybe Junior would be worth an inexpensive 12 ga pump with correct length stock just for hunting. One shot on game would not beat him up with recoil like a couple rounds of trap.

 

[Zip7]

Keep in mind your son is going to grow, but a standard 870 tends to be a little long for smaller statured shooters. My son shoots a standard 870 - he graduated from the youth model at about age 14 - he's not a big kid.

Unscientifically speaking, what I look for in shotgun fit is when I bring it to my shoulder I want to be looking right down the barrel at the bead. Most people can adjust to a gun, and I have adjusted to the 870 over the years - a stock Browning BPS fits me perfectly, and the 870 doesn't - but I have used an 870 for so long that I'm used to it.

A gun that is too long for me if more difficult to use efficiently than one that is too small. I can shoot amazingly well with an 870 youth model, and I'm a big guy. I have a Ruger rifle that is too long for me, and I have a harder time getting used to that.

 

[Jim Watson]

Unless you have access to a custom stockmaker, you will probably be OK if the stock is not so long that you can't swing the gun smoothly over a wide arc to track the target and not so short that you bump your nose with your thumb as it recoils.