[Casey M]

Hi, I am thinking of buying another shotgun. I recently got my first (BPS-12 ga), and have a loaner 20 ga semi auto for my wife. My daughter would love to shoot but we don't have a gun for her. She still has a few years to go. I was thinking of purchasing a gun I could play with and then give it to her when she gets big enough. Would a 28 gauge or a .410 be a better choice. This would be for casual clay shooting for me, and probably also for her when the time comes. I was leaning towards a double (SxS or O/U, I really don't have a preference.)I understand that I need to reload for both these (since I like to shoot alot and am not made of money!) I actually am looking forward to that aspect! So which would be a better choice, the 28 or .410? Thanks in advance, Casey

 

[583]

well how old and big is your daughter if i knew this i could probaly give you a recomendation

 

[jlptexashunter]

28 if I had to pick one.

How much do you want to spend? If it's a little then check out a DeHaan/CZ/Huglu 28gauge O/U.

If you want to spend a bit more look at the Franchi Veloce Squire. It comes with 20 and 28 gauge barrels.

Good Luck

 

[Casey M]

My daughter is just 5 years old. She probably wouldn't be shooting this for another few years or so. Recoil and weight would both be a factor, with the emphasis on recoil. I cut down a stock on a ruger 10/22 for her and she loves shooting it. Also, I don't like buying cheap guns, but as I said before, I'm not made of money. I was thinking about a used gun in the $400-$500 range. Does this sound reasonable, or should I save up some more $ and buy one later? Thanks, Casey

 

[EyeMissum]

If I had to pick also, I'd go with the 28 ga. The .410 is a unforgiving little gun that is better left to the more experienced shooters. It is not a beginners gun as some would have you believe.

I'm also sure that someone will come along an say thats not true about the .410.
This is just my experience with the little .410. I have also seen the .410 make very good shotgun shooters shake their head in disgust an walk around muttering to themselves.

 

[Burnt Powder]

I began my shotgun shooting with a Winchester Model 42, .410. I can tell you for sure it was very frustrating indeed for a while before I finaly got lucky enough to actualy get something now and again. I still remember vividly my first undisputed pheasants kills. I really believe many of my first kills were just my dad being nice to me, he actually got them, not me! Anyway, I got 2 pheasants in this one big weed patch. My dad really didn't believe me, but when I produced the birds to back up my claim, he had to give in. THAT is when I finaly was able to shoot with some confidence. Having said and experienced that, I'll say without a doubt a .410 for a kid is like hanging a millstone arround their neck and asking them to tread water. Better hope the water isn't too deep! Go for the 28 ga! My dad wanted a 28 ga for me to start with so badly he could taste it, but alas, priorities what they were in the mid '50s, I used the only other shotgun we had, the .410! I'm amazed that I stayed with the shooting sports and hunting like I did given that experience. Granted, It probably did make me a better shot. I'd suspect I was a far better shot at say 16 years of age than most grown men, but It was a struggle and I suspect I had some God given ability to go along with that. If you don't want to stiffle the childs excitement, don't hancuff them with a .410. That is indeed an experts gun. A 28 ga is far more than a .410 in the field but still managable. Saying that I'll have to admit, I did shoot almost exclusivly 3/4 oz loads in my .410. The normal 28 ga load. but in the .410 that is a far inferior load compared to a 28 ga. I'l quit now, get the 28 ga. You'll never regret it!

BP

 

[MrBen]

Please don't try to start a kid shooting clays with a .410! A kid just beginning to shoot needs to see targets break or she will soon lose interest. There won't be many targets breaking with a .410!

I started shooting clays when I was 50 years old, and I had been shooting rifles and handguns all my life, but if I had to start clays with a .410 I would have dropped that sport like a hot potato. He//, I still don't like to shoot sporting clays with a .410 because it is so frustrating when they don't break!!!

A 28 gauge shell may not look much bigger than a .410 shell, but there is a huge huge difference in the way they perform.

 

[claysmoker]

Definitely not 410. 28s are nice, as long as you plan to reload. But, let me throw in another option. If you are reloading anyway, load up some 3/4 oz 20 gauges. I've been loading this recipe in a AA or Remington hull: W209 primer, 12-13 grains International Clays, AA wad, 3/4 oz 8s. When shooting a pump, SXS, or OU I load closer to 12 grains, for the auto it takes 13 grains to cycle the action. Either way, recoil is very light, and hulls are much cheaper than 28s. :wink:

 

[Em Are Skeet]

28

 

[marist89]

I'd go with the 28.

I don't know where you guys buy your ammo, but I get Winchester AA 12Ga sporting loads for $4.97 and Winchester AA 28Ga sporting loads for $6.37 or 6.73 (I forget which). That's not as big a price differential as many people lead you to beleive. Sure, I don't get 28Ga. promo loads for $3.something a box, but you've got to compare apples to apples.

 

[pijonsmasher]

Well if you want a new gun get what YOU want. If you want the younger one to shoot get something that fits her and she will enjoy and have a fun time. I am not a fan of the auto- but a youth model would be light and have less recoil but I am not sure how short the LOP can be.

 

[only winchesters]

Hello Casey: I'm afraid I have to agree with the others who have said a .410 is not a good starter gun for a child.

As one gains more experience with a shotgun, they can move down in size to a .410. I own, about 6 of them but have learned the limitations, proper shell and shot size for the type of SPECIFIC hunting I'll be doing. .410 shells aren't the cheapest either.

As for the 28ga. for a starter gun again, shooting a 3/4oz lead load from a 28 vs a 3 in .410 load, (yes for those who don't know Winchester/Western has brought that load back), there isn't a lot of difference. Your other option would be the 1 oz load by Winchester/Western but these too are expensive.

I would be more inclined to look at a 20ga Youth Model, they come with shorter stocks, and as your young lady grows you can put a standard length stock on. As for the shells they will always be cheaper than .410 and 28ga. shells and easier to find. the 20 ga comes in many loads from the low 7/8 oz load, (lower recoil) 1, oz , 1 1/8th oz. and if you should get one that also handles 3 in. shells the 1 1/4 oz. the 20 ga, can grow as your daughter does. the real question would be pump or semi-auto. the semi-auto would have the least felt recoil on her especially using the 7/8th oz load. definately enough to bust targets, or knock some dove or quail down. Of course something larger under the right conditions, like a pheasant over a pointer!

Good Luck

Regards to all

Dave

 

[Desertrat]

I would go 28, and you don't have to spend a lot of money on one.

 

[blunder]

Get a "youth model" 20ga. IMHO both the 28ga and the .410 are poor choices for a child to learn with (they will loose interest because they will miss to often)
The Remington youth guns are a good choice because you can restalk them (synthetic) for about 20 bucks as the child grows.

tom

 

[cinrds]

Out of those two guns a 28.

IMHO I would go with a youth 20ga I have four kids and as they get old enough for a gun that is what I will get them. Besides 20ga shells seem easyer to find then 28.

 

[shotgun101]

y only a 410 or 28? Get a 20 reminton 1100. They dont even kick and she can share shells with ur wife.

 

[Casey M]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I guess the .410 is out! If she would have an easier time with the 20 ga (at busting clays) then that is probably what we'll go with over the 28. The youth models sound like that may be just the ticket. I will check into those. Thanks again for all the great advice! Casey

 

[astomb]

Casey:
Get your self a copy of Bob Brister's Shotgunning the Art and Science to go along with that 20 gauge youth model. I suggest that because his chapter 1 is on how to teach a kid to shoot a shotgun.

I would look at the Beretta 390 and 391 and even go with a used model that a kid had grown out of.

Since you live in Tulsa you have three very fine shotgun instuctors with proven records of turning kids in to all american sporting clays shooters. Jerome and his son Harvey Holden of Broken Arrow and Doug Fuller Of Clarmore. The latter teaches outof Longshot Ranch in Skiatook.

I urge you to let one of them help you teach your wife and daughter.

Oh and you probably have about a four year weight for the daughter to be ready for a shotgun. My sons all started at about 8 and they were big for their age. There are risks starting with kids too soon.

Good luck!

 

[Light Modified]

20 gauge. My reasoning is that 28 gauge shells are less common and more expensive. You can find (or load) light 20 gauge shells that will produce the same recoil as a 28 and still put more pellets on target -the reason that a .410 has been explained as a bad choice. A 20 can be "grown into" and is more viable for big birds -again, less money spent.

 

[Equismith]

Well, I'm going to go against everything everyone here has said.

Reasons? She's five. Obviously small. And already shoots, from a bench, I would guess, a 10/22.

Since she's five, her shooting a 20ga would likely be 5-7 or more years away. Her ability to shoulder, hold up, and swing a 20ga is a long time coming.

Get her a BB gun. Knock off the sights, and have her shoot instinctively at stationary targets. Get her comfortable now with shouldering and shooting freely away from a bench. When she gets good with the stationary shooting, move to a big ball of aluminum foil. Rolled or thrown straight away underhanded will allow her to start out slowly. It will absorb the hits and you can look at where you/she hits.

When she develops the muscles and coordination of the swing shooting, depending on her progress and accuracy, you very well COULD go to a .410 for straight away targets from a ground thrower. And if I remember right Casey, you shoot from your own land and use a home thrower? Right?

You can have her shooting a shotgun, like a Stevens 311 .410 or a CZ/Huglu .410 O/U or a SxS in just a few years versus several years with the larger/heavier guns.

To start solely with a .410 on moving targets (skeet, S/C, trap - at ranges) is a hardship on a young shooter. If you do it with consideration on developing the shooter, you'll have a marksman(woman) on your hands that'll outshoot you and everyone around.

Whatever you do, take your time and be very patient, as I can tell you already are with your daughter. My daughters are now 19 and 17. The older one used to shoot a few years ago, but even at 5'6" and 17, the 20 was still a bit much for her to hold up and shoot accurately.

Don't rule out the .410.....and a reloader :wink: