Youth/Wife shotguns

[WhiteRubi]

So i took the wifey out today to shoot the 870. Mine is synthetic and 23" barrel. I started her off with 2 3/4" #8 7/8 oz loads. That didn't hurt her too bad but the 3" Winchester #5 1 3/4 oz just about did her in. She says she can shoot it once at a turkey but she had a flinch after shooting the dove loads.


Soooo...Since I don't have any kids and don't plan on any kids I will be taking the wife hunting when she wants. What kind of gun do you all recommend for her that is a good all around shotgun? I've shot a 12 gauge for years and lack the "teaching" gene to help her shoot. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Ash12]

You could always get her a youth model or maybe a larger shotgun? I mean the heaver it is the less kick right? I heard somebody talk about charles dalys for females but I would try out a remington or mossenburg youth model or try the larger shotgun.

[WhiteRubi]

Ash, that's kind of what I was thinking. The LOP was long for her also. A youth gun might help but I just question shooting a 20 gauge for turkey. In the day and age of hunting in a blind, it shouldn't be an issue getting a bird in close.

If that's the case, maybe a 20 gauge for her will pull double duty as a dove gun for me. :D

edited to add: I should mention that the 3" shells do have a little punch. The 3 1/2" shells hurt like hell, and I'm not exactly a lil' fella.

[Kybirdman]

Maybe a crossbow out of the blind?

[NonTyp]

Toby, my kids shoot a Mossberg Bantam 20 gauge. I liked this gun for the ajustable stock. My daughter killed a bird at 35 yrds with it. I have patterned it several times and would not hesitate to let one of my kids try a 40 yrd shot. I do not like the action of this gun but is fine for turkeys. This gun is light and kicks hard for a 20 but when a bird is out there I have not had one of my kids complain.

If you want to stay with a 12 I would look at a Benelli. They seem to have less recoil than others.

[WhiteRubi]

Maybe a crossbow out of the blind?

Nahh, not my (or her) style. Not that she has a "style". :D She just wants to start somewhere.

Toby, my kids shoot a Mossberg Bantam 20 gauge. I liked this gun for the ajustable stock. My daughter killed a bird at 35 yrds with it. I have patterned it several times and would not hesitate to let one of my kids try a 40 yrd shot. I do not like the action of this gun but is fine for turkeys. This gun is light and kicks hard for a 20 but when a bird is out there I have not had one of my kids complain.

If you want to stay with a 12 I would look at a Benelli. They seem to have less recoil than others.

Billy, can you call her and tell her I,err, I mean SHE needs a Benelli? ;)

[bucksnbugs]

Hi,
I have a couple of Franchi Model AL 48'S. They are recoil operated semi auto shotguns.
Take a look at them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franchi_AL-48

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recoil_operation#Long_recoil_operation

My wife who is 5 ft and 100 lbs shoots them well. the 12 and 20 gauge. I hope next year I can start my daughter with them also.

Plus they are a little less expensive than a Benneli. But Benelli owns them

I also have a PAST recoil pad that the shooter wears like a sling. I have used it for shooting ground hogs in the summer with my Hi-powered rifle and have loaned it to my brother-inlaw for his son to use after he developed a flinch after shooting turkey loads.
It took some time for him to not flinch after wearing the pad, but he said the pad helped alot and really did not feel the shot. He was anticipating the thump like before.
Unfortunatley its hard to get rid of a flinch after you already got it. But the good news is that after some time. He now trusts the pad and shoots well with it...

I hope this helps.

[WhiteRubi]

I'll check that out. I can't say for sure that I'll be buying a new shotgun. We will see if she has it in her to "harvest" a bird. :D

[WaterDog88]

I know my wal-mart was selling 2 3/4 12ga turkey loads. That would be a little less punishing. But dont doubt the 20 ga. Set one up with the right choke load combo you have a fine turkey killer. I've seen some guys shooting 20ga and beating the heck out of my 3 1/2 numbers at 40yrds...

[keith meador]

Tobi, I have a Bantam if you want to let her shoot it. Good luck finding one.

[WhiteRubi]

Keith,
Is it the Mossberg Bantam Billy mentioned?

I might have to take you up on that offer. I'll give you a call tomorrow.

[keith meador]

Keith,
Is it the Mossberg Bantam Billy mentioned?

I might have to take you up on that offer. I'll give you a call tomorrow.


Yep, thats the one...

[K9trapper]

My wife shoots my Benelli SBE with 3" turkey loads and never has a problem. The same woman shoots a 20ga at a target and cries, so my recommendation is to only let her shoot at turkeys and cease all practice with turkey loads.

[vitalbowhunter]

whatever you do, make sure you buy one that you'll get good use out of, too! :)

[foresterhunter]

I vote for the bantam. That adjustable stock is the big thing and makes the gun fit. Add a scope and you are rocking

[wolverine1]

Buy her a 20 gauge and outfit it with either a Rhino or Primos Jellyhead choke with Nitro loads.... Dead turkey!!!!!!! AND less recoil than a 12...

[huntindawoods]

I would just buy 2 3/4 inch turkey loads the will pack a little less punch than the 3's, that would be cheaper than buying a new gun unless you both want to take a gun alone, but my opinion only, but she will never notice that kick of the 3's when that bird appears.

[WhiteRubi]

but she will never notice that kick of the 3's when that bird appears.


That's what I keep telling her. She just doesn't understand that...yet. We will see Sunday. Thanks for all your help guys and gals. :D

[Feedman]

I would recommend a Remington 870 20 ga. Get the R3 recoil pad made by sims. Let her only shoot turkey loads when she sees a turkey. She will not feel the kick.

[BRADM]

1187 20 ga.

They go for around 6 or so.

Good luck to the both of you this season!

[matewsq2]

My niece shoots a 870 20ga with hevi shot an i wouldnt shoot against it with my 12.she has killed birds 35 plus yrds with it.an dont cry bout it an shes 13.

[stratos907]

check out the new NEF Partner pump in 20 gauge. I bought one for my 'ol lady and love it. I bought the gun and a Kick's GT choke and have $279 invested. My neighbor's son killed one with it sunday morning of youth at 38 steps with it. It's a little bigger than a youth.....

[CHL]

Toby, I shoot a M1 Super 90 20 gauge Benelli and it's like packin' around nothing, and doesn't hardly kick at all.

[Double B]

If you get a gas operated semi auto like a Remington 1100, 11-87 or the one that my kid shoots, a Beretta 390 in 20 ga, you will look no further. They are light recoiling guns. Any pump or inertia/recoil operated gun will kick more than these guns. Plus you can put a good recoil pad on like a sims or xcoil and it will be down right pleasant to shoot. Plus a good all around gun for many purposes.

[skeetshooter105]

Remington 11-87 20 ga. youth. 3" mag. Very light, short stock so a limb saver slip over recoil pad can be added and stock will still be short enough for a lady or youth. I have put my Browning 3 1/2" mag 12ga in my safe and hunt with the 20 ga. Easy to carry, no recoil and I shoot 3" mag Hevi Shot with a .565 Choke tube. # 5 shot had a fantastic pattern at forty yards. Never had to shoot a turkey twice and several have came to my smoked turkey dinners.

[turkeyhunter91]

I would recommend a Remington 870 20 ga. Get the R3 recoil pad made by sims. Let her only shoot turkey loads when she sees a turkey. She will not feel the kick.

that is exactly what i was thinking, my girlfriend is using my encore this year,she only shoots trap loads until the turkey is out there.
a rem 870 would be my pick as well