Recoil: 20 gauge vs 410

[Shel]

Please don't flame me or make fun of me, this is a serious question. I was wondering how much of a difference there was in 20 gauge recoil vs a 410 shotgun.

Today was my first shotgun experience, I shot a 410 shotgun. I was a bit surprised at the recoil. Not that I couldn't handle it, I just had no idea it would would have as much recoil as it did.

I have heard that a shotgun is the best choice for home defense. I have also heard a 410 is not acceptable for home defense so I figure a 20 gauge might fit the bill.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

How big are you?

Are you shure you cannot handle a 12?

 

[Shel]

I'm not that big


but I tell you what, I just THOUGHT shooting .22 was fun, blasting targets with the shotgun is TONS more fun


BUT A LOT more expensive

 

[wdlsguy]

What kind of .410 were you shooting and what kind of ammo?

 

[Shel]

One of those little Rossi single shots, 3" 7 1/2 shot.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

try shooting a 12 GA 2 3/4" birdshot nect time you at the range and see how the recoil is

 

[wdlsguy]

One of those little Rossi single shots, 3" 7 1/2 shot.

11/16 oz. of shot out of a 5 lb. gun is going to kick a bit.

 

[Rampant_Colt]

It depends on the weight of the shotgun and what your load of choice is. A lightweight single shot 20 ga. with a heavy buckshot load will rattle your teeth! A 20 ga. semi-auto with a light trap/skeet load is comparable to a heavy 3" .410 load from a single shot.

A 20 gauge Remington 870 with slugs or #3 buck would be a great choice for home defense. Recoil, however, might be an issue if you're of small stature.
There are low-recoil 12ga. loads available that aren't that hard kicking. Some type of 12 or 20 gauge autoloader might suit your needs just right.

I know this is off-topic, but a Marlin Model 1894 in .357mag. might be a good alternative.

 

[hqmhqm]

I have to second that remark about .357 marlin lever gun. The recoil from .357 magnum is not at all uncomfortable, and the recoil from 38 specials is comparable to a .22. But for home defense, I think a pump shotgun is a little easier to operate in a hurry, if you don't get very used to shooting the lever action, it might be hard to cock it reliably in a stressful situation while keeping the target on sight.


I got a 870 shotgun in 12 gauge, and the kick from slugs was terrible. I then got the Knoxx recoil reducing stock, and now shooting slugs or 00 buckshot is merely exciting, not excruciating. And I can shoot trap target loads all day with just a t-shirt, no padding needed.

 

[Shel]

Right now my self/home defense is a .380 handgun... I am seriously re-thinking my home defense plan into using a shotgun because

A. I hear they are much better
B. I am probably moving into town very soon and in the unlikely event I would ever have to use the weapon, I don't want overpenetration.
C. I want another gun .

 

[Rampant_Colt]

A. I hear they are much better
B. I am probably moving into town very soon and in the unlikely event I would ever have to use the weapon, I don't want overpenetration.
C. I want another gun

You quite possibly might be better served with a .357mag revolver loaded with a .38 special load.
There are tons of used ones available for reasonable prices (even in the People Republic of Chicago )

 

[Shel]

Out of curiousity, what is the danger range with .38 special? (as far as how far it will travel)

 

[Rampant_Colt]

Out of curiousity, what is the danger range with .38 special? (as far as how far it will travel)

Why? do you plan on missing your target??

With 158gr.+P loads from a 4" barrel going approximately 850-900fps, probably not too far. The trajectory is like a rainbow. I'd be more concerned about the bullet passing through a wall or window hitting something you didn't intend on shooting!

 

[Panthera Tigris]

You quite possibly might be better served with a .357mag revolver loaded with a .38 special load.

I beg to differ. I've talked to several LEOs over the past few months about what to use for home defense, and every one of them has told me to forget about handguns and use a shotgun for the home.

 

[wdlsguy]

what is the danger range with .38 special? (as far as how far it will travel)

A mile or so if fired at a 30 degree angle.

 

[Shel]

Naaaa, hope I don't miss. I just read on the .22 box that you should allow a mile and a half behind your target. I was curious how .38 special compared

 

[Rampant_Colt]

just read on the .22 box that you should allow a mile and a half behind your target

Typical weasel words written on the box to cover their as*es from liability lawyers and ambulance chasers.

A shotgun is unwieldy to handle inside the confines of an apartment or a small dwelling and can be easier to grab from you by a badguy than a handgun would.


@ Panthera - Yeah, i agree that a SG is better for home defense and has MUCH greater terminal effect than a handgun.

GET BOTH!!

 

[eastwood44mag]

Depends on too many factors to give you a short answer.

I hunt with a 20 because it's much less recoil than a 12. That being said, heavy 20 loads can hurt like a mule kick. Don't plan to shoot more than twice, under any circumstances.

 

[Anteater1717]

12 and 20 guages arent bad with a 2 3/4inch 7 1/2shot but hevi loads hurt just hold it tight to your shoulder raly tight and lean a little forward and you will be fine with a 12 and for home deffence you probaly wont shoot more than 1 shot

 

[Dave McCracken]

Shel, if Bright Spirit is close to Central MD, I can show you how to shoot a shotgun like I have maybe 20 present and past members here. How about a Shotgun 101 session?..

 

[Shel]

I have never been to Maryland unfortunately... Unbridled Spirit is they "new-ish" nickname/state slogan for Kentucky.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Oh. Too bad.

Do read the archives, there's a gold mine of info there....

 

[tyesai]

Borrow someones M44 and shoot about 10 rounds through that. Then go back to a shotgun. It will feel like a .22

Alot of recoil is just kind of in your mind. If you haven't shot much than maybe you just need to get out and get used to it a little bit.

My ex-wife was 5'3" and went about 100lbs and she could shoot my remington 870 12 gauge just fine. But she was used to firearms. Don't get me wrong, after 2 boxes of shells she was done and I mean DONE but she would do it and only complain that her shoulder was a little sore the next day.

Mine is a little sore the next though too.

 

[12GA00buck]

Stay away from .410's for self defense; there better than nothing, but a 20 GA with reduced recoil 00 buck will work ALLOT better. If you must have a .410, winchester makes a 3inch factory load with 5 000 pellets, although I imagine the velocity would be pretty dismal. If you plan on doing any hunting a 20 GA, has far more applications. Be sure to get a reasonably heavy gun, maybe 7-1/2 pounds or so, that should tame a 20GA plenty. Also, make sure you have a good stock fit, with a rubber recoil pad. Recoil pads for your shoulder could also help for range time. For home defense, stay away from single shots, go with a pump or a semi auto that feeds reliably. Remeber shot placement above all else, aim for the head/center of upper torso. At home defense ranges, buck shot probably wont spread more than 2-5 inches, so remember, SHOT PLACEMENT,
Happy shooting

 

[wdlsguy]

a 20 GA with reduced recoil 00 buck will work ALLOT better.

I don't think I've seen a commercial 20 gauge load with OO buck. Everything seems to be #3 buck.

If you must have a .410, winchester makes a 3inch factory load with 5 000 pellets, although I imagine the velocity would be pretty dismal.

The 2.5" load has 3 OOO buck at 1300 fps, the 3" load has 5 OOO buck at 1135 fps.

For comparison purposes, the 2.75" 12 gauge load has 8 OOO buck at 1325 fps.