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Hi im 14 years old and want to get into skeet shooting. I am either getting a 12 gauge pump or a 20 gauge pump. I am looking to spend around 250-350$. I already shoot a 20 gauge single shot and was wondering if a 12 gauge pump would have a lot more recoil. Also, any suggestions for which gun(20 or 12) and which model? thanks

I will make the first post on this, as this issue is important to me, as it appears at our gun club all the time.

If it is your goal to shoot skeet, let me recommend that you purchase a semi-automatic shotgun, like a Remington 1100 or a Beretta 390, either one of which you can get for $350.

Trust me on this one. High volume shooting will beat you up with a pump shotgun, at your age. Start thinking about a semi auto shotgun for recoil purposes.

I would go with a 12 guage and shoot light loads.

Rem is right--not many things hack me off like good ole dad buying son a 5# pump 20 (so it won't kick so much ) then buying cheap promo shells, if cheap happens to be 1 ounce at 1250 then so be it, and the kid needs someone to keep him from stepping back after each shot

Ya think son is going to complain? Not likely!

That's when I would like to take good ole dad and give him a single shot 10 gauge weighing 7#, and 2 ounces of shot and say---getcha some of that!

Either the auto, or if it has to be a pump use 7/8 oz loads at under 1200 fps and get a 12, with a good recoil pad. Lots of difference in shooting 10 shots a day, and 25 in a few minutes.

TT

Absolutely on the auto. I'm over 50, but have had back surgery and didn't want my new sport to cause me pain, so I went the auto route after shooting a few rounds with pumps and O/U shotguns. Also went 12 gauge because everyone I shoot with uses 12 and right before I bought we shot 5 stand and a couple of the guys ran short on ammo - with everyone shooting 12, its easy to share as needed to finish a round!

Exactly how big are you, kandiguy? Like the guys above said, a semi-auto will work well for somebody small. (Have a 14-year-old cousin that weighs 98lbs and handled a 20ga Remington 1100 nicely). If you are a skinny guy, go for a semi-auto 20ga, and I only say 20ga because the 12ga was too heavy for him, had problems being on the bird cuz he couldn't keep the muzzel in the air without leaning back. If you are a little more stout, you could handle a 12ga semi-auto, and if you are a big guy, find a nice heavy pump. (Weight reduces recoil, and a heavy 12 won't kick much harder than your 20.)

It depends on the length of your arms and your upper body strength. My boys started at about 12 - but they were already close to 6 foot tall and had pretty long arms - and they both shot a browning BPS 20 ga pump - and graduated very quickly to a BPS 12 ga pump - and then over unders as they increased their upper body strength.

I also loaded some 7/8 oz loads for the 12ga to start - then went to 1 oz - to keep the recoil down on the 12ga.

There is nothing wrong with a 20ga - I shoot a 20ga over-under a lot, just because I like it. A 20ga is plenty of gun on the skeet or trap range for the most part.

hi derek

Must agree with above post which emphasized that the 12 ga shell is waaaay more available when you either get to the range without your shells (sounds dumb, happens all the time) or when you run out of shells and need to buy some on the spot. And today's variety of 12 ga loads is really great...especially to an old fart who began shooting 12 ga PAPER Remington ShurShot shells, which the hardware store sold for about $0.05 each at that time. And, SHOOT SAFELY.
///olde pharte///

Personally, I would recommend the 20 gauge hands down. Then again, I've never run out of shells at the range, so I really don't consider that as an influencing factor. You can crush every skeet target on the field with a 20 gauge. In fact, at our club very few of the more experienced shooters are using 12 gauges. Most of them shoot either 20 gauge or 28 gauge (with some 410 for practice). 20 gauge is PLENTY for skeet. If you think you might shoot Trap, then you might consider a 12 gauge.

Depending on your size, the 12 gauge might be a little more kick than you would like (even with light loads). The best advice is to do your best to shoot a couple of these guns before making a purchase. Some gun clubs even have rental guns (12 and 20 gauge) which could help you make a decision. I cannot place enough emphasis on the need to shoot the gun you think you'd like to buy.

As far as recommendations, the 1100's and 391's (both autos) are great guns (I have a few myself). However, they would cost every bit of the $350 you are seeking to spend (and more). I think the best value out there right now is the Beretta 390/391 (autos) closeouts at Wal Mart for $350 (12 or 20 gauge). They are the black sythetic stock, which might serve you better if you get out in the field to do some hunting. CZ is making an 1100 clone (Model 712 is the 12 gauge, 720 is the 20 gauge - both autos). I have one of the 20 gauges, which I purchased for my son ($300 new). 870 Wingmaster (pump) and Remington 11-87 (auto) are also good choices. I believe the 870 Wingmaster is the best all-around pump gun for a new shooter.

Since you are 14 years old, I would suggest that you get one of your parents (or grandparents) involved in finding someone who might have a gun you could try. Talk to your parents and see if they would be ok with (them) posting the city in which you live on this board. There might be someone who participates in this discussion board who would be willing to let you shoot one of their guns (someone that lives near you). Again, be sure to get one of your parents involved if you plan on meeting someone at a gun club to try a shotgun.

Good luck!

Jeff Gitlin
Olathe, KS

Hi KandiGuy , I would suggest you dont have a clue on what you want or need , so ask you dad if its OK to even post on this site .

Guest,

Take your negative attitude somewhere else, pal. He is simply asking a legitimate question for a new shooter. It seems to me he stated exactly what he wants/needs...a pump shotgun which would be good for shooting skeet.

Your anonymous condescending attack would fit in better on shotgun sports dot com. Here at ShotgunWorld, we share information and we prefer to treat others with respect (we also have the stones to sign our names to our posts).

Jeff

So Kandiguy was a quest of 14 .

thorock 1 , what does your 14 year old use , pump action 12g

Nothing wrong with a good 20 gauge pump, will pretty much do what a 12 will, just a little less! If you don't have trouble carrying around a old 12 bore I'd recommend it, But if you are person of smaller stature the 20 would be a better choice.
I take a bet that if your dad had started you on a 20 pump rather a single shot you wouldn't even be thinking of "upgrading" to a different gun. I started my oldest with a 20 gauge winchester youth model when he was twelve, even now at the age of thirty-two he prefers it(w/longer stock) over my Wingmaster 12.

My dad started me off with a 20ga pump and, I never even learned to shoot a shotgun until a few years ago and, I'm 40 now!

I've been getting on a soapbox and preaching about the pump vs. auto argument... So, why not here.

You say that you're interested in shooting the clay games... skeet, sporting clays etc.

At the range I go to, you don't see experienced shooters shooting pumps... ever. The only time you ever see pumps at the range is right before hunting season and during hunting season... after season is over, the pumps disappear. Then you see about as many autos as over/unders.

For a new shooter, in my opinion, an auto is easier to learn to shoot. They recoil less than over/unders and some of the best shooters out there are shooting them now.

For skeet, a 20ga and 12ga are about the same but, if you want to shoot sporting clays, you will have an advantage if you get a 12ga.

If I were you, I'd go and find a nice 20ga auto. It will be the easiest to learn with.

Haha, thanks, I actaually bought a Mossberg pump 12 gauge and I used light power loads and it actually had less recoil that my single shot 20.

This is a good question. I have a 14 yr old son that is also getting into skeet. He uses a 20 ga. Winchester 1300. But, he will shoot my 12ga o/u whenever he has a chance. I think that a pump disrupts a shooters timing when shooting skeet. After pumping the gun you also have to take more time to find the second target. If cost is the biggest consideration, go with a 12ga. pump. Keep a little money back and put a Limbsaver pad on it. You're young, you're reflexes are fast, have fun. A Remington 870 would be a good pump to start with. Parts are available everywhere. You could pick up a longer barrel later and also use it for trap shooting.