cdb1
Member
So I don’t think recoil should be as big a concern in a turkey gun to justify the expense of a semi auto over a pump. You only fire one shot maybe two on a turkey hunt so it’s not like a dove gun you may fire 50-100 times in a day. Holding the shotgun on target is the bigger limitation. I’d start looking at a 12 ga pump and if it’s too heavy for her to hold for long look at 3 in capable 20 gauges. Then fit the load to her recoil tolerance testing patterns. 12 gauge gives more load options but a 3 in 20 can match a 12 but is harder to find.
I do believe it’s concern enough to get a gas semi over a pump for turkey. Certainly not due to volume but because as a rule a shot shells for turkey generate much more recoil than say dove loads, which can lead to a flinch pretty quick. And all the turkey hunters I know shoot from a sitting position which also increases felt recoil over shooting from a standing position.
3” 20 gauge shells can have some pretty harsh recoil, as much as a 12 gauge due to lighter weight.