20 ga semi vs. 12 ga semi shooting 2 3/4 shells?

[Dythbringer]

What about a 20 gauge (for gun weight) modified with a really good recoil pad? Would that solve the OP's problems?

[terrym]

A proper fitting gun should be the most important criteria. If it is awkward for her to handle then recoil will seem worse. I would think the 20g frame would feel better to a smaller shooter.

[Bluebulldog]

What about a 20 gauge (for gun weight) modified with a really good recoil pad? Would that solve the OP's problems?

The actual felt recoil between a 2 3/4" 1 1/8oz 20G, vs a 2 3/4" 1 1/8oz 12G is only a pound. Not a heck of a lot of difference.

The difference is gun weight, semi vs. repeater, and size.

The 1 lb difference between the 20 and the 12 in felt recoil is somewhat mitigated by the added weight of the 12, but that added weight is also something that is carried and swung. I'm a big advocate for 20 gauge, as a good general purpose gun, especially for smaller shooters. As I mentioned previously, the 20G semi I have has what amounts to a whisper of recoil compared to some of my 12 gauge O/Us, and even my older 12G semi.

[LondonDave]

A proper fitting gun should be the most important criteria. If it is awkward for her to handle then recoil will seem worse. I would think the 20g frame would feel better to a smaller shooter.

I agree with you. The reality is she won't be shooting very often. If she shot more then I would definitely look for something that fit her really well and it would essentially be her gun. That is part of my concern with buying a 20 ga that would be too small for me to use. The weatherby SA-08 is very short in the LOP (14") which would be great for her but not so great for me if I wanted to use it. I guess I'm looking for a best of both worlds scenario.

[Bluebulldog]

I agree with you. The reality is she won't be shooting very often. If she shot more then I would definitely look for something that fit her really well and it would essentially be her gun. That is part of my concern with buying a 20 ga that would be too small for me to use. The weatherby SA-08 is very short in the LOP (14") which would be great for her but not so great for me if I wanted to use it. I guess I'm looking for a best of both worlds scenario.

Get the 20. It will be easier for her. She will want to shoot more.

Get the 12, you will have a gun that you will shoot, but she may not be keen on, particularly if the LOP means she doesn't get a proper mount on the gun, and sight picture.

Buy the 20, for her and she will be a shooting companion, you can buy a 12 for yourself later.....there's lots of them around.

[terrym]

I agree with you. The reality is she won't be shooting very often. If she shot more then I would definitely look for something that fit her really well and it would essentially be her gun. That is part of my concern with buying a 20 ga that would be too small for me to use. The weatherby SA-08 is very short in the LOP (14") which would be great for her but not so great for me if I wanted to use it. I guess I'm looking for a best of both worlds scenario.

There are aftermarket "slip on" recoil pads that you could use to lengthen the gun when you carry it. Ugly but effective.

[4weight]

I own a 11-87 in 20 and shoot 3" steel loads through it and love it! Recoil is minimal and gives me faster follow up shots. I only use it on small water hunts but find it to be a deadly gun!

[B525]

I believe Remington makes the 11-87 in a youth model 20 guage. If she is small in stature,that might be the way to go along with a soft recoil pad.

[Romulus86]

I can only talk about what I shoot, and my 20 gauge benelli montefeltro makes my 12gauge SBE II obsolete. I primarily use it for ducks. It is light, cycles like a champ, hardly any recoil which enables me to stay on target for follow up shots. Id go 20gauge semi, if your concerned about $ then a used Beretta Al series, or urika in 20 would do well, or even a used Franchi AL-48, or Raptor would suffice.

[CocoZoo]

As said, proper fit should be top priority.

I went through all of this with my girlfriend. She's very small and find a shotgun that fit well was impossible because even the youth models are usually just cut down versions of their reg model.

That said, a 12ga. shell loaded with 1oz. going 1200fps is going to have the same recoil inertia as a 20ga. of the same load. Felt recoil is reduced by things like fit, gun weight, etc

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