doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Low recoil 28?

I'm starting my 10 year old daughter, Stella, shooting this year. She's been shooting at tennis balls with a bb gun for a couple of years now, but this summer she's started firing a shotgun at going away clays. I've got her on a little 28 gauge Spanish SxS. It has 25 inch barrels, a semi beaver tail fore end, pistol grip stock and a 13 1/2 inch LOP over a Pachmeyer Decelerator. We're using AA's, and frankly she doesn't like the recoil which is a little snappy. I'd guess the gun weighs around 5 1/2 lbs. I know Winchester makes a low recoil shell in 12 & 20 gauge, but apparently not in 28. I believe it's the same story with B&P. Can any of you gentlemen recommend the lowest recoiling 28 gauge shells currently available? Before I get some great reloading recipes, let me just say I am not a reloader. Thank you in advance for your help, and sorry if this question doesn't conform to being specifically about double guns. With a farm in Virginia, a good bird dog in the house and access to plenty of birds, Stella has every opportunity to get involved in shooting sports early. I don't want her to get turned off or burned out by uncomfortable recoil.

I would look at RST shells that are made for 2 1/2" guns. They should be lower pressure and be more comfortable to shoot. Sub 6 pound guns are not that much fun to shoot with any loads.

You might be better off using another gun. If you want to keep with the 28 a Remington 1100 would be my first choice. More important to make the shooter comfortable than anything else at this point. I was about to go down this route with my youngest when he picked up one of our Ruger 28 and shot it like it was custom made for him. Saved me buying one more gun for now.

I'll 2nd RSTs.

And of those, the 3/4 oz 2 3/4" 1100 fps load is pretty easy on the shoulder, has a bit more shot than the 2 1/2" 5/8 oz load, and is a buck a box cheaper.

I'd go w/ 8s until she's after live birds, then switch to 7s or 7.5s.

http://www.rstshells.com/shotshells.htm

Until a child reaches sufficient size, strength, and mental desire/toughness, there is nothing you can do. Trying to start too early can put them off for life. If the first learning is that shotguns are not fun, you have made yourself a long, uphill battle. First learnings go really deep.

When the size and strength require a very small and very light gun, you may well be stuck with seriously reduced handloads or abusive recoil (abusive to the child - if she says it is uncomfortable, it is uncomfortable). Stick with what she finds fun to shoot until she grows into shotguns. Take care that your desire for her to shoot doesn't get interperted as a mandated to her.

Consider getting a cheap, used 28 gauge reloader and a few supplies. You may well discover that she enjoys reloading with you - many kids, under proper supervision, do enjoy it.

I agree with Rocketman. 10 years old seems a bit small to start a kid out with a gun unless they are pretty good size. And just because you get a smaller gauged gun, doesn't mean it will be any easier to shoot. You end up compensating shot for recoil and the child will either not be able to hit anything or they will get the heck kicked out of them. I would have started off with a 20 gauge auto or a gun with some type of recoil system that eases recoil. Mainly because the shells are cheaper to buy, easier to find and the reloadable hulls are easier to pick up at the range. So, I would say to start her out slow and have her understand that it will probably be some time before she becomes sufficient. And don't let her become discouraged if she doesn't do well right away. And good luck. Your are a good man to help a child start out the right way.

Would you consider setting the shotgun aside for a couple of years and having her shoot a .22 instead? Lots of fun, a little "bang", yet no punishment. I shoot a 5 1/4 pound twenty-eight and I feel it every time I pull the trigger.

I agree with Jimmy. I have had success with a Charles Daly 20 gauge semi in youth size that is all black (kids like it) and it weighs 5 1/4 lbs. It will probably not stand up to heavy use over many years but it costs around $300 (or it used to cost that much). It has no kick and because it is so light the girls can hold it up without getting tired. Boys can use a heavier gun. I first tried a Franchi (Youth size AL-48 in 28 gauge)with similar weight but it is a recoil operated gun and would leave black and blue marks on the shoulder of girls. I sold it. A gas operated gun is the way to go and the Rem 1100 is way too heavy for a girl.

My reply was aimed @ the question regarding the lowest recoiling 28 ga shells available.

If another gun is an option, I'd suggest a SxS or O/U 20 ga w/ the Fiocchi Trainer loads. Much easier to teach proper gun safety w/ a break open gun vs an auto, and if she ever pinches a finger in the action of an auto, she will be done shooting for sure...

I would say based upon my own experiences growing up that a 20 ga. kicks a lot more than a 28 using RST shells. Starting with a .22 is okay as long as you take the time and patience to explain the difference between aiming a rifle and shooting a shotgun.... I think a 28 ga. is perfect for most learning to shoot without sufficient practice at sports requiring upper body strength and that gun can be used for a lifetime.

Thanks for the thoughtful replies. This is all good advice.

I'm not averse to trying an autoloader in youth size, but I'll give the RST's a try first. Does anyone know the LOP on these youth autos?

The 28 is an old gun my dad gave me years ago, but the barrels were so short I had the stock cut down and a pad put on for my wife. I didn't buy it for my daughter, so not concerned about getting my money out of it or making her use it. She does already shoot a .22 for plinking.

I also couldn't agree more with Rocketman and others here regarding forcing v.s fun. Stella's pretty game as far as trying new things, but as soon as she says she doesn't like something we stop. That's why we haven't shot since I first tried her with the AA's. I will say she does have pretty good upper body strength for her age, as my disciplinary technique for the kids invloves them doing pushups.

I'll give the RST's a try and let the board know how it turns out. Worst thing that can happen is she just puts off shotgunning for another year. Thanks again, and I hope everyone is off to a good bird season.