Results 1 to 10 of 10
-
July 2nd, 2023, 10:14 PM #1Super Member
- Join Date
- Sep 2010
- Location
-
philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
(Philadelphia County) - Posts
- 550
- Rep Power
- 42128
Affordable entry level shotguns for clays for a young lady
Hey folks, my girlfriend really wants to get into shotgunning. I’m a rifle/pistol guy so I’m completely uneducated so we’re learning together.
Open to autos and OUs but it’s hard to justify a lot of money on something we’re not sure either of us will get into. I have an old Ithaca featherlite but I don’t want to beat up her shoulder.
She’s 5’6. She’d call herself somewhat muscular but otherwise average size.
What should we be looking at?
I’m 6’3 with broad shoulders - I def don’t expect us to share the same gun.interested in a cz kadet kit, if anyone's selling
-
July 2nd, 2023, 10:29 PM #2Grand Member
- Join Date
- Apr 2009
- Location
-
Upper Bucks,
Pennsylvania
(Bucks County) - Posts
- 2,300
- Rep Power
- 21474854
Re: Affordable entry level shotguns for clays for a young lady
CZ Quail 20 gauge for about $650. Not sure what you consider entry level
-
July 3rd, 2023, 09:38 AM #3Member
- Join Date
- Sep 2019
- Location
-
Hawley,
Pennsylvania
(Pike County) - Posts
- 69
- Rep Power
- 1893164
Re: Affordable entry level shotguns for clays for a young lady
I'm far from an expert, and don't have much experience with shotguns for women, but a few suggestions:
-at 5'6", she may or may not benefit from a shorter stock. A typical 14" trigger reach may be to much for her.
-A 20 gauge will be much easier on her shoulder than a 12.
-A gas operated semi-auto is easier on the shoulder than an over/under.
-Take her somewhere like Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays, where you can rent a shotgun for the day. I *believe* they rent nice, quality over/unders, but they may have others - and give it a try. Its a cheap way to find out if that is the shotgun for her (and you!).
Enjoy - Sporting Clays is a LOT of fun!
OH - and shotgun fit DOES MATTER. I had a beautiful Beretta that I picked-up second hand at a great price...but it didn't fit me. I just couldn't hit with it. It is now owned by a friend that it does fit and loves it. I found that I shoot an old Remington 1100 very well. Finding a good used shotgun is an excellent way to get a good gun at an affordable price.
-
July 3rd, 2023, 10:36 AM #4
Re: Affordable entry level shotguns for clays for a young lady
I would seriously suggest finding a way to have her shoot your Ithaca
using shells meant for clay (as opposed to 3" magnum 00 buck).
The issue I foresee is that something like a 20ga might have her at a
disadvantage in her score.
My wife is also 5'6" and we are both in our 60's. The ONLY gun in our
household that she wants to shoot is the Mosin, and it's because of the
kick, not in spite of it. She loves it.
I'm quoting here, after shooting .22, .45, and 5.56, she tried the Mosin
with a metal plate at shoulder...
"Oh YEAH! Now I'm shooting a GUN!!"
Give her a chance, before you spend money you could be spending on
supplies. Or a nice dinner in appreciation of her. :wink:While many claim to support the right, precious few support the practice.
-
July 3rd, 2023, 02:12 PM #5
Re: Affordable entry level shotguns for clays for a young lady
Since she's probably not afraid of a 12 ga I have one of these ATi Calvary over/under that I like. Turkish made, select fire, smart eject, etc. That price is about what I paid for mine 5 years ago.
https://www.budsgunshop.com/search.p...+12+gauge+overNRA Life Member
-
July 3rd, 2023, 03:06 PM #6
Re: Affordable entry level shotguns for clays for a young lady
Anyone of the semi auto Turkish imports will be OK for a beginner. I'd go with the 12 gauge. Trap loads in a semi auto 12 are pretty slight. Your best bet is to go try on a few because fit and balance is extremely important.
Corruption is the default behavior of government officials. JPC
-
July 3rd, 2023, 03:49 PM #7
Re: Affordable entry level shotguns for clays for a young lady
20 ga semi auto is where we start kids as the action reduces felt recoil. as they progress, we move to the 12ga - the 1oz 7.5 shot loads are mild and plenty good for trap.
"...The gun at my side means that I cannot be forced, only persuaded...It doesn't limit the actions of those who would interact with me through reason, only the actions of those who would do so by force."
Marko Kloos 2007
-
July 3rd, 2023, 08:26 PM #8Super Member
- Join Date
- Sep 2010
- Location
-
philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
(Philadelphia County) - Posts
- 550
- Rep Power
- 42128
Re: Affordable entry level shotguns for clays for a young lady
Appreciate all the info
We*re definitely sticking with 12 gauge. More looking for suggestions of guns to tryinterested in a cz kadet kit, if anyone's selling
-
July 4th, 2023, 11:39 AM #9
Re: Affordable entry level shotguns for clays for a young lady
About the 20 v 12 - not always. 20ga guns tend to be lighter weight, but some 20ga loads approach and exceed lower 12ga loads. A 20ga can recoil more than a 12ga. If you stick to clays/low birdshot - a 20ga is likely to recoil less. But if the gun weighs a lot less, the difference in recoil can be minor.
My aunt found that out after she sold me her 16ga singleshot to be able to fund a 20ga for clays. She found out that whatever 20ga she bought kicked more than the 16ga. She was still happy though because whatever type of clay shooting that she does needed the ability to fire subsequent rounds.
Since, I gave that 16ga to her grandson to keep it in the family. Originally was her brother's(my uncle), he gave it to my aunt. I gave it to my cousin's son for his birthday last fall.RIP: SFN, 1861, twoeggsup, Lambo, jamesjo, JayBell, 32 Magnum, Pro2A, mrwildroot, dregan, Frenchy, Fragger, ungawa, Mtn Jack, Grapeshot, R.W.J., PennsyPlinker, Statkowski, Deanimator, roland, aubie515
Don't end up in my signature!
-
July 17th, 2023, 09:29 AM #10
Re: Affordable entry level shotguns for clays for a young lady
I agree, stick with 12ga. 20ga feels the same to me. Gas or inertia operated semiauto action is where you mitigate recoil. Also get a shotgun shooting vest with padded shoulder.
In America arms are free merchandise such that anyone who has the capital may make their houses into armories and their gardens into parks of artillery. - Ira Allen, 1796
Similar Threads
-
Entry Level 30-06
By PHeller in forum GeneralReplies: 22Last Post: August 3rd, 2008, 10:00 PM
Bookmarks