Recommend me a Shotgun

[Les Snyder]

Rem 1100/1187, 12 ga (you can hand load 7/8oz shot if recoil is a problem) 26inch, vent rib, with screw in chokes... try light modified for trap, 5 stand,... remember that the cheek weld on the stock is your rear sight... try to find a MonteCarlo or trap stock that with some good advice from a competent club member you can "cut down" so your shot column agrees with your sight picture. I like to have the shot pattern a little high so I can track under the bird. If you plan on shooting 50+ birds per session it is important that under recoil the stock falls away from your cheek. Most all field grade guns have the butt of the stock low, so that under recoil the wrist area recoils into your cheek. This is not the way to enjoy clay bird sports. An 870 will work, but will offer a little more recoil.. regards Les

 

[erichsen]

I just joined a new shooting club, and they have an excellent shotgun program, trap, skeet, five stand and all the rest, 3 days a week. The problem is, I don't own a shotgun.
I'm not looking to spend a whole lot of money (about $250, more or less) and I don't really plan on hunting with it any time soon.
I'm a small guy, 5'5" and 108 pounds, and I was thinking a youth model, used, might be a good option. I'm not particular about gauge, and can handle a 12, but it seems 20 usually goes for a bit less. would I be handicapping myself, or limiting the events i could compete in with a smaller bore?
Action type is more or less a non-issue for me, but I'd lean towards a double if one could be found. Previously, I have owned a Mossberg Int. O/U, which was far less than impressive... terrible trigger, and the safety would dissengage if it were held upside down... are the Stoegers any better?

Remington 870 is probably the most appropriate choice for general use. I prefer the ergonomics of the Mossberg in a home defense role, but that wasn't one of your listed criterion. Great double guns are hard to come by for less than a metric ton ($2K), you might find one well used on the Gun auction sites, though I'd recommend finding something local so that you can handle it before making a bid.

Regarding the $250 budget, you are going to be in the entry to used mid-level for the more refined garden variety American brands. The trigger is almost certainly going to need to be worked or replaced, depending on your expectations. A $250 shotgun is also guaranteed to be something of a rattletrap, even the $500+ shotguns share that trait at this point. I include Benelli, FNs and various Eastern European and Chinese-made Winchester and Ithica clones. I think your $250 budget may need to budge a bit even if you opt for a second hand model a few years old.

You should have no trouble finding a replacement stock that will probably have a more appropriate LOP. Finding a second hand youth model generally means a less worn unit, as the it's original owner may have upgraded or grew out of the shotgun before accruing significant wear. I'd recommend at least some consideration (beyond your $250 budget) for the Knoxx adjustable stocks, which while not particularly traditional in their appearance, provide fair recoil dampening in addition to adjustment to allow someone smaller or larger than yourself to fire it comfortably (useful if you have a significant other or child you want to teach). The one adaptation you'll need to make if you are used to pulling the buttstock in tight to the "pocket" of your shoulder, the Knoxx demands a much lighter touch on the buttstock so as to avoid pre-loading the recoil springs.

I can't speak to competitions in your area, 20 gauge is probably more common in youth events, though 12 gauge isn't unheard of either. I'd bet it's a 60/40 split between 20 and 12 gauge, but it's been years for me. With the newer reduced impulse 12 gauge loads, recoil isn't much harder on your shoulder than a hotter 20 gauge load and the 12 gauge is generally more versatile.

Good luck.