What gauge for smaller people?

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Maplicito

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I've got a friend who agreed she will try "hicking it up" with me, and try clay pigeon shooting - well, guns in general - but I think she'll enjoy that more. The problem is - the last time I was out with her, she decided she wanted to try my 12 gauge - and panicked at the last moment as she pulled the trigger, and pulled the gun away from her shoulder. She did this twice, and decided she was done with guns.

She's 5'8" and 115 lbs - but she's a pretty tough girl - but a 12 gauge not shouldered properly doesn't feel good on anyone. I'm thinking if I got a smaller gun, it'd make less noise that would scare her before she's used to shooting it, and if she DID panic again, the consequences won't be as bad.

I had thought about getting a .410 before, but was told that was a rotten gun for a beginner because of the small pattern. So right now, that has me thinking 20 gauge and 28 gauge. At my local sporting goods store, the 20 gauge is much more common - but I've never shot either to know how light they are on recoil, or how well they spread.

I can get a cheap 20 gauge single shot... but I can always put more money in, and get a 20 gauge pump, or a 28 gauge pump action. What are they like for recoil, pattern, and noise?

I'm going to start her on a .22 just to get her comfortable with the idea of shooting - but after that, what do you guys think? What gauge of shotgun?
 
I'm not even sure how to identify those loads. What I have sitting in my room right now are Winchester Super Target, rated as 1 1/8 Oz of 8 lead shot at 1145 fps, and Remington Gun Club Target Loads rated at 1 1/8 Oz of 7 1/2 oead shot at 1200 fps.

Are either of these close? I'm still convinced she wouldn't have had a problem if she hadn't pulled the gun away from her shoulder as she pulled the trigger... maybe I just need to give her some time with the .22 first... then make her drape a jacket over her shoulder to start with for the shotgun?

Or are there loads that are even easier on the shoulder than what I have?
 
I believe he is talking about reloading to get 'featherweight' loads. Usually consist of about 7/8oz of shot I believe in a 12ga which is roughly equivalent to shooting a 20ga. Make sure to cut back on the powder proportionally for the reduced shot load.
 
On second thought, maybe let her start w/ a shotgun at a stationary target - IE can, or whatever. That way she can get comfortable with the gun and take her time without worrying about the target getting away.
 
Youth model semiauto.

I've spent enough time at the trap range to see the reactions females have to various shotguns. More often than not the ladies do rather well with the light, softer shooting semiauto 20ga they have for rent.

BTW unless she's some sort of prodigy, moving at fast moving objects as a beginner is probably not a good idea for introduction into the shooting sport. On average I'd say most were hitting the clay only 5 out of 25 thrown. They didn't look enthused.
 
They also sell low-recoil 12-gauge shells.

Another thing that might help is to buy a recoil shield, which is a piece of fabric designed to go on your shoulder like shoulder sling that absorbs quite a bit of recoil.
 
Remington 1100 20 gauge youth model. Nothing is softer recoiling, the 20 gauge works fine, especially for skeet, and the youth model should fit her a lot better. If it don't fit, nothing is going to be all that much fun.
If it doesn't pan out, you should be able to sell it for no loss.
Do not do a bunch of shooting at fixed objects, and do not practice aiming. Throwing tin cans across flat ground so the keep moving is great for starting out. They can see where the shot hits versus the can and the brain corrects. If it's not moving fast, the hit doesn't count.
 
Winchester, Remington, and Fiocchi sell 7/8 oz loads that will reduce recoil maybe 50%. Use these....
 
Well OK it is the shotgun forum so I will say I am a fan of the 20ga. A gas operated auto will give the least recoil but light loads in a pump should work just fine. ( autos are somewaht spendy) I would not go with the single shot as they are lighter guns and have more felt recoil than the pump guns.

Yes you can get light loads for the 12ga. but I find that most smaller framed people prefer the handling of the 20ga. over the heavier 12ga. guns. And light loads are available for the 20ga. as well. A youth model has a shorter stock which may also help in keeping the gun squarely on her shoulder.
 
Yeah, I'd say try the light loads in 12ga, or move to a 20ga as a last resort. 20ga is much less common than 12ga, and everything else is much less common than 20ga.

My wife is about that size, and the only problem she has had with the 12ga shotguns is finding one that will fit her proportions. She was also kind of an unusual case with guns. My idiot friend thought it would be fun to hand her his lightweight single-shot 10ga shotgun (with a slug) for her first time shooting. The thing darn near knocked her on her butt, but she thought it was the greatest thing in the world (which proves she isn't as smart as she claims to be).

Seeing her shoot another friend's .375H&H Mag was another fun experience :) But, she threw at least 10 rounds down range before giving up for the day... which is plenty even for me in his lightweight gun!!!
 
if she is a keeper, buy her the 20 gauge, and get it over with! she will like the fact that you thought enough about her that you bought her a gun for herself (even though most girls would think of a gem of some kind way more important). and when you explain that it is a smaller gun with less kick, it will ease her mind and she will be less likely to panic. if things dont work out, all guns are easily sold, and you wont loose much. just remember though, if you buy her a gem, you are on your way to being married.
 
It's not about gauge, it's about stock fit. The best gun for smaller people is a 12ga Remington 1100 using 1oz light loads. Take it to a gunsmith and have the stock cut down to properly fit her size. If that combination doesn't work, she just not meant to be a shotgunner.
-
 
Take her to the store and smith to pick out something that fits her. 28 gauge is good, but expensive. 12 and 20 are really the only economical calibers for store bought ammunition. Semi-autos are good. Break opens are lighter and have higher perceived recoil, so be weary of that. Gun fit is the most important of all the factors, so something that fits her, be it a youth or adult shotgun, will dictate what she gets.

7/8 oz loads, as previously mentioned, are good ideas. All of the stores around here have large selections of loads, so go looking.
 
My fiancé does not enjoy shooting my 12 gauge (3 shots or less before setting it down for the day) but I have seen here shoot 100+ rds of 20 gauge in one sitting
 
HAHAHA

I saw the topic and laughed like a fool to 5 minutes. People came to see why I was crying.

Thank you for the laugh.

Edited to add:

My sister took a "horrible piece of c..p" Moss 500 12ga to the local smith and he cut the stock down and put a pad on it. She loves the thing now and shoots more than I do! Just 2 inches off the stock turned it into a thing of joy for her. She shoots the low brass stuff and is soon to go to a shotgun tactical class.

I almost had a mossy for $25 but I had to open my big mouth and suggest getting it fitted to her. I'm waiting for her to get a pistol she hates to shoot! :)
 
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I just started my daughter shooting shotguns. She prefers my O/U because of weight, so I started her out with Fiocchi Trainer Loads (3/4 oz). They are great. I can shoot my 20 gauge O/U one handed with these loads, and hit! I then moved her up to 7/8 ounce loads, and she is fine with that. I don't see any disadvantage to a 20 gauge, so that's where I'd go.

By the way, I bought a used Winchester 1400 in 20 gauge, and that is what she loves now! It recoils so softly it is amazing.
 
I'm sorry... the title of this thread is pretty funny if you take it literally.
Click to expand...
Good catch... I never noticed it could be taken quite that way.
Click to expand...
yeah, my first instinct was "Is he REALLY asking 'what caliber for midget?'" :D

Mike
 
HAHAHAHAHHAHA.

I just read the title aloud to my wife, and she said:
Well, they're a smaller target, but they're usually just as thick, so you still need the same penetration- what? Stop laughing. It's true!
Click to expand...
:D

I married well.

Mike :)
 
Well, reading over this thread again has definitely made my day more enjoyable! So... if I pick up that 10 gauge I wanna get for me, what size of people should I save that for? :neener:

As for the talk of diamond rings and such... I think I'm eternally stuck in the role of "best friend" with this gal... but she is enough of a pal that I don't mind getting her an inexpensive gun either - as long as she'll use it!
 
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