Mission to reduce recoil

[brewer12345]

I have been waterfowl hunting with a Maverick 88 in 12 gauge. I have managed OK, but with a bunch of goose hunting of late, I am getting tired of being beat up with 3" goose loads. A significant part of the problem is the very light weight of the gun (plastic fantastic, decontented mossy 500 rip off). Some is due to the action, and some is due to the fit. The rest is my occasional failure to shoulder it correctly.

Obviously this isn't the most opportune time to think about an alternative, but pretend that we aren't in a run on everything for a moment. What would you choose as a 12 gauge 3" waterfowling gun that will help reduce the beatings? I am dragging it through all conditions, so I would prefer not to part with a truly stupendous amount of money.

 

[spazzy]

I'd look for an older remington 1100 or 11-87. Softest shooting shotgun I've ever hunted with. If it's already beat on cosmetically, I dont mind if I ding it up more. I almost bought an 1100 that was all dinged up for $265. It looked to be the clone of my mint late 1970s 1100

 

[Armored farmer]

Look into a Girson.
They are imported by....? I can't remember...but a reputable importer.?.maybe EAA or something that i have heard of.
Yeah EAA
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjAKegQIBxAB&usg=AOvVaw24BpIHWhIDY24h-aHakMJS
My son has one, Im Impressed.

 

[George P]

The Beretta Xplor Unico is a 7# 3.5" gun that can handle 3.5" shells. Mine is my wife's sporting clays gun and handles my 3/4oz reloads with zero malfunctions. With their Kick Off system and shims, the gun can be adjusted to fit and reduces recoil very well. Not the cheapest, but well made with a great reputation.

 

[12Bravo20]

You can always try adding some loose shot into a sock or similar inside the butt stock to help with recoil on the Maverick 88 until you decide what type of new shotgun you want. Adding weight does help with reducing recoil and the shot will act like a dead blow hammer.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I agree add some lead to the stock.

I also would be looking at Berettas if I were semi auto shopping.

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

Add lead to the stock or invest in a PAST recoil pad. These are wearable items that may change your gun fit some, but that sounds likely for the better.

no need to change your gun for this. Since you say you are dragging it through all conditions I’d keep dragging it and look for other ways to mitigate your shoulder punishment.

 

[George P]

If you're going to add lead to the stock, then you need to add some to the front to prevent the barrel end from becoming too light and whippy. Filling and sealing some empty shotshell hulls and putting them behind the mag in the forearm can help with that.

You also need to reduce payload and velocity . Both added weight and reduced velocity /payload result in actual recoil reduction. Perceived recoil, aka "kick", is a function of fit, so clear up all three aspects and you'll be good to go.

 

[brewer12345]

I ordered a PAST field pad. Will see about putting some shot in the stock.

George, where exactly would you add weight in the front. I don't understand what you are suggesting.

 

[George P]

Behind the cap on the end of the spring inside the tube where the plug would go.

 

[brewer12345]

I will have to look at the mag. Maybe a length of lead that will fit inside the spring in place of the dowel that is the plug on this cheap shotgun?

 

[film495]

you can also get a pad that goes over your shoulder, that and a recoil pad on the stock should make a big difference.

 

[Cvans]

Limbsaver. Worked great for me.
https://limbsaver.com/pages/recoil-pads-showcase

 

[earlthegoat2]

I will have to look at the mag. Maybe a length of lead that will fit inside the spring in place of the dowel that is the plug on this cheap shotgun?

Yes that is what @George P is suggesting. Just be sure to do both this AND add mass to the stock. Both done in the right proportions will keep the gun handling well.

 

[MAKster]

LimbSaver slip on rubber recoil pad. I added one to my 12 guage Remington 870 and it allows me to shoot twice as many shells before recoil fatigue makes me stop.

 

[cdb1]

For a shotgun I would get a 3” gas operated semi, the heavier the better.
Remington V3
Browning Maxus or Silver
Winchester SX3
FABARM XLR5
Mossberg 930
I did not put the 1100 or 1187 on the list because having shot all three I feel the V3 has less felt recoil. The reason I did not mention Beretta is they don’t fit me well so I have little experience with them. The Mossberg 930 cost quite a bit less than the others on my list. One thing it has going for it is its weight, nothing ameliorates recoil better than weight IMO.
The aforementioned PAST Pad works. Something that I like better though is the EvoShield Shooting Shirt.

 

[George P]

For a shotgun I would get a 3” gas operated semi, the heavier the better.
Remington V3
Browning Maxus or Silver
Winchester SX3
FABARM XLR5
Mossberg 930
I did not put the 1100 or 1187 on the list because having shot all three I feel the V3 has less felt recoil. The reason I did not mention Beretta is they don’t fit me well so I have little experience with them. The Mossberg 930 cost quite a bit less than the others on my list. One thing it has going for it is its weight, nothing ameliorates recoil better than weight IMO.
The aforementioned PAST Pad works. Something that I like better though is the EvoShield Shooting Shirt.

How do Berettas, with adjustable shims, not fit you but the others do?

 

[cdb1]

How do Berettas, with adjustable shims, not fit you but the others do?

I’ve owned a 390 and A300. If I remember correctly the DAC was too high even with the shims and I couldn’t hit anything with them. It wasn’t the shotguns either because my son and BIL shot them both well. I like Beretta and would like a semi by them but am not going to chance it again. Beretta also doesn’t publish the dimensions of their stocks when just about everyone else does. That doesn’t help.

 

[jmr40]

Limbsaver, or other modern hi tech recoil pads are the real deal. Adding weight will reduce recoil, but it also changes the balance dramatically which can be a negative for wingshooting.

That particular shotgun is pretty light. Not that it is a bad shotgun, but I just like the 870 better. The Express versions can be picked up for under $300 new and they are enough heavier to make a difference.

A gas operated semi-auto is the ideal solution, but that sounds like more than you want to spend right now.

 

[brewer12345]

Limbsaver, or other modern hi tech recoil pads are the real deal. Adding weight will reduce recoil, but it also changes the balance dramatically which can be a negative for wingshooting.

That particular shotgun is pretty light. Not that it is a bad shotgun, but I just like the 870 better. The Express versions can be picked up for under $300 new and they are enough heavier to make a difference.

A gas operated semi-auto is the ideal solution, but that sounds like more than you want to spend right now.

Hahahaha, looked at the shotgun market lately? Plain Jane Mossberg 500 over $500. I own a Weatherby SA-08 in 20 Ga and figured I would look into one in 12 ga. A $5XX list price gun going for about a grand.

 

[Edenwildfood]

Roll your own tss loads. Reduced recoil, high performance

 

[WestKentucky]

It is a tough call on what you want. You want more weight, but do you want it in a 2 shooter or a 3 shooter? Nothing shoulders like a classic SXS double. Nothing swings like an over/under, and the way that gas operated shotguns work they bust recoil significantly. Pick your poison, then your price tag, and that will generally have you looking at the right gun rack to see what feels best.

 

[12Bravo20]

OP,

AS you can see there are many options for a different shotgun. Personally I would try adding weight to the front and stock as suggested along with some type of slip on recoil pad or wearable recoil pad to see if that helps. All the above along with reduced loads will make a difference. And if it doesn't help, then look at another shotgun.

 

[George P]

I’ve owned a 390 and A300. If I remember correctly the DAC was too high even with the shims and I couldn’t hit anything with them. It wasn’t the shotguns either because my son and BIL shot them both well. I like Beretta and would like a semi by them but am not going to chance it again. Beretta also doesn’t publish the dimensions of their stocks when just about everyone else does. That doesn’t help.

Did you change the shims for more drop? They go in 5mm increments from 50 to 65; I am 6'3" and the 65 is very close (I think a custom 70 would be even better)

 

[cdb1]

Did you change the shims for more drop? They go in 5mm increments from 50 to 65; I am 6'3" and the 65 is very close (I think a custom 70 would be even better)

Yes.

the DAC was too high even with the shims

There might have been other factors coming into play that I’m not technical enough to know. I spent quite a bit of time with both shotguns tweaking and never could shoot either one. When I scratched my Benelli itch I purchased a Vinci and couldn’t hit anything with it either. It also gave me a sharp cheek slap.

The shotguns I’ve shot the best are my FABARM L4S(number 1), Franchi Affinity and 720 and my Winchester SX3 Walnut Fields which have different stock dimensions than the current model SX3’s. I don’t do well with current SX3’s. I also do well with the Weatherby SA-08.