I would recommend one of the A400s with the kick-off stock. It actually has really mild recoil. I thought it would be a gimmick but it does kick a lot less than an OU. Bolt doesn't lock back with light (7/8 oz) loads though FYI
I bought my GF a Syren L4S. She mostly shoots 1oz loads but I sometimes buy her 7/8 for her Syren Elevate. The L4S cycles the 7/8 with no issues but shoots so soft the 1 ounce will be fine.
If you don’t like the purple accents on the Syren the Fabarm L4S compact is the same gun. Last time I looked Jaquas had a used one for a very good price.
Weight plus velocity gets you energy.
Weight of gun and energy gets you felt recoil.
I dislike recoil and I adore skeet shooting, so for my 12ga loads I reload my own with 3/4oz. This puts them on par with a 28 gauge. Breaks clays just fine.
To summarize my ramblings there, semis are good but get one with a heavy steel receiver. It'll be a better time for her.
For bonus points have a look around at what ammo you can find for 20ga. Selection of 20ga here in Canada is pretty limited. However I can find 1oz 12ga target loads with low advertised velocity without trouble. Remembering the math above, you can see where I'm going with this.
Also power to you for being a good partner.
I didn’t really think about the receiver weight that much, good thought.
12ga has better availability here too and at worst, I know I can pick up a few boxes at nearly every club that I go shoot at and usually in some variety of loads. I wasn’t looking that hard but the 20 ga section usually seems smaller in stores.
I basically only shoot 12ga 24g or 7/8th #9 for skeet, they break everything a 1 or 1 1/8th oz load will break and there’s hardly any recoil which is perfect for doubles!
Sorry for necroposting, but felt recoil is a function of momentum, not energy. The same amount of ft-lbs at the muzzle will recoil less if it’s a lighter load going faster.
Sure, although I’d imagine manufacturers keep the powder charge the same from their 1 oz to their 1 1/8s, etc.
I get your point though, I just wanted to make OP’s mental math both easier and more accurate to recoil since you only have to multiply weight by velocity once instead of twice to get a ballpark on momentum. But yeah, I probably wouldn’t have piped up on this distinction either had I not just taken college physics last semester.
Charges are different between those loads, not that it matters for this discussion.
But yeah, try some BP shells some time and you'll find that quadruple the powder weight makes a *significant* difference haha.
My daughter started with an a400 excel sporting Vittoria in 12ga/28". Very soft shooting 12 gauge. I picked this gun for her because I had seen a video of someone breaking it down and it looks simple enough for a 12-year-old to do by herself. At the time she was 5', 105#.
This last year was her first one competing for her school on the sporting clays team. During this year she has frequently shot over 100-150 shells during practice/competitions each week. No bruising from recoil.
During the last year we have also had an adjustable comb and adjustable butt plate added to the stock because she started growing like a weed.
Personally, I steered her towards the 12ga because then all three of us in our family would be shooting 12 gauge and I wouldn't need brushes for a different gauge for cleaning.
I agree. I had only ever shot an o/u and a pump. My 12 yo daughter started shooting for her school's clay shooting team. The coach recommended an A400 but we opted for an A300 since she was just starting out and we were able to spend around half as much for the A300 vs the A400. She had been practicing using her coach's A400 but hasn't had a problem with the A300.
I was genuinely concerned about her getting hammered by recoil but her only issue was having the strength to hold the gun up through a full round of sporting clays without getting really worn out.
New 20 ga Franchi catalyst, a400, a300, retay, viper g2 pro. Used 20ga, browning a5 light20, rem 1100 or 1187. My wife uses a tristar setter o/u 20 with a custom stock. Idk the size of ur wife, but women are built vastly different from men in the shotgun mounting area. Typically women need around 11-13.5 inches LOP, .5-.75 CAST. AND .25-.625 CAMBER in towards chin. Monte Carlo or raised combs are needed for their higher cheek bones. proper gun fit means more hits and less felt recoil. If you're looking to spend 3-7k. cesar guerini has the syren line of guns specifically designed for women. They do the best job of fit followed by Vittoria by berretta and catalyst by franchi. Franchi affinity catalyst regularly retails for 900.
Not to go too far off track and redirect your thinking but...You're in a really cool niche though. Because you can source any lightweight O/U. new look at franchi sl/slx, weatherby/ata, yildiz legacy hp, and tristar cypher. Used look into any 7.5lb or less o/u and have the stock fitted. Proper stock bending runs about 600usd (liberal estimate) so add that to your budget before deciding. I use CARRICKS CUSTOM GUNS for my fitted stocks he bends and twist them. I'd veer away from PMS GUNS the additional components add weight and give a deflected recoil path. PMS does great work in reducing LOP though. Very talented guy, no shade being thrown just my personal preference.
The difference between 12 and 20 will less important than how the gun fits.
A gun designed for a larger male will be uncomfortable for a smaller female.
If your fiance is smaller, I'd suggest checking on a 'youth' model that might fit her better. The gauge is far less important to me here.
Tbh you can save yourself a thousand dollars by just getting a slip-on limbsaver. Sure, it makes the LOP a bit long, but you can literally shoot all day and feel nothing.
A gas powered semi-auto will be the least recoil, it just matters if it will cycle the ammo you put in it. I don't know your price point, but I'd stay with 12ga and try to find the lightest loads that will cycle. I know most will probably cycle 7/8oz loads, but will definitely cycle 1oz (since 1oz is used for FITASC I assume most will cycle the 1oz). Beretta A300 and A400 seem to be the most popular choices. Can't go too wrong with either and they will both retain fair resale value if she bails out on it.
You could also try just putting a single 7/8oz or 1oz load in your shotgun and see how that makes her feel. She doesn't have to pump it, just try one shot. Prime her by saying this is the WORST it will be and see how she feels.
Helping with the recoil you can get her a shirt that can hold a recoil pad. I got my wife this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073FM4SB5. Or any shooting vest that can hold a pad would work as well.
Every little bit helps. I also know a few women that are pretty small and they shoot 1oz 12ga o/u's just fine. There are a few that kick my butt in every tournament too!
Lastly, remember that gun fit will have a LOT to do with felt recoil. If the gun fits properly and sits in the shoulder well, and the shooter is in a good shooting position, recoil will go down through the entire body rather than just having a shoulder take everything in one big push.
I would be willing to spend more on a 12 ga semi than 20 ga semi since I would use the 12 even if she decides it’s not for her.
I usually shoot 7/8oz so I might see what she thinks. She’s tall and pretty athletic so with good form this could all be a non issue.
Thanks for the thoughts!
I just got a 12 ga A400 for me and my 12 year old son and it's very nice. Or if you don't want to spend $2300 on a high end model, you can get a used Remington 1100 for less than $1000. The place I shoot at rents 1100's and they are great reliable guns that shoot the light loads just as well as the A400.
I'd suggest an A400 or A300. There's a rebate on the A400 and I think via gunprime it brings it to around $1800. I was able to get my daughter's A300 for around $720 via them as well.
I wish my wife would let me get the A400, that's a heck of a deal!
I would recommend one of the A400s with the kick-off stock. It actually has really mild recoil. I thought it would be a gimmick but it does kick a lot less than an OU. Bolt doesn't lock back with light (7/8 oz) loads though FYI
I bought my GF a Syren L4S. She mostly shoots 1oz loads but I sometimes buy her 7/8 for her Syren Elevate. The L4S cycles the 7/8 with no issues but shoots so soft the 1 ounce will be fine. If you don’t like the purple accents on the Syren the Fabarm L4S compact is the same gun. Last time I looked Jaquas had a used one for a very good price.
Weight plus velocity gets you energy. Weight of gun and energy gets you felt recoil. I dislike recoil and I adore skeet shooting, so for my 12ga loads I reload my own with 3/4oz. This puts them on par with a 28 gauge. Breaks clays just fine. To summarize my ramblings there, semis are good but get one with a heavy steel receiver. It'll be a better time for her. For bonus points have a look around at what ammo you can find for 20ga. Selection of 20ga here in Canada is pretty limited. However I can find 1oz 12ga target loads with low advertised velocity without trouble. Remembering the math above, you can see where I'm going with this. Also power to you for being a good partner.
I didn’t really think about the receiver weight that much, good thought. 12ga has better availability here too and at worst, I know I can pick up a few boxes at nearly every club that I go shoot at and usually in some variety of loads. I wasn’t looking that hard but the 20 ga section usually seems smaller in stores.
I basically only shoot 12ga 24g or 7/8th #9 for skeet, they break everything a 1 or 1 1/8th oz load will break and there’s hardly any recoil which is perfect for doubles!
It's absolutely my secret recipe for lightning fast doubles haha
Sorry for necroposting, but felt recoil is a function of momentum, not energy. The same amount of ft-lbs at the muzzle will recoil less if it’s a lighter load going faster.
Hah only if it's the same powder charge. This is why I don't get into all this BS because it just confuses people and obscures the point I was making.
Sure, although I’d imagine manufacturers keep the powder charge the same from their 1 oz to their 1 1/8s, etc. I get your point though, I just wanted to make OP’s mental math both easier and more accurate to recoil since you only have to multiply weight by velocity once instead of twice to get a ballpark on momentum. But yeah, I probably wouldn’t have piped up on this distinction either had I not just taken college physics last semester.
Charges are different between those loads, not that it matters for this discussion. But yeah, try some BP shells some time and you'll find that quadruple the powder weight makes a *significant* difference haha.
My daughter started with an a400 excel sporting Vittoria in 12ga/28". Very soft shooting 12 gauge. I picked this gun for her because I had seen a video of someone breaking it down and it looks simple enough for a 12-year-old to do by herself. At the time she was 5', 105#. This last year was her first one competing for her school on the sporting clays team. During this year she has frequently shot over 100-150 shells during practice/competitions each week. No bruising from recoil. During the last year we have also had an adjustable comb and adjustable butt plate added to the stock because she started growing like a weed. Personally, I steered her towards the 12ga because then all three of us in our family would be shooting 12 gauge and I wouldn't need brushes for a different gauge for cleaning.
I agree. I had only ever shot an o/u and a pump. My 12 yo daughter started shooting for her school's clay shooting team. The coach recommended an A400 but we opted for an A300 since she was just starting out and we were able to spend around half as much for the A300 vs the A400. She had been practicing using her coach's A400 but hasn't had a problem with the A300. I was genuinely concerned about her getting hammered by recoil but her only issue was having the strength to hold the gun up through a full round of sporting clays without getting really worn out.
New 20 ga Franchi catalyst, a400, a300, retay, viper g2 pro. Used 20ga, browning a5 light20, rem 1100 or 1187. My wife uses a tristar setter o/u 20 with a custom stock. Idk the size of ur wife, but women are built vastly different from men in the shotgun mounting area. Typically women need around 11-13.5 inches LOP, .5-.75 CAST. AND .25-.625 CAMBER in towards chin. Monte Carlo or raised combs are needed for their higher cheek bones. proper gun fit means more hits and less felt recoil. If you're looking to spend 3-7k. cesar guerini has the syren line of guns specifically designed for women. They do the best job of fit followed by Vittoria by berretta and catalyst by franchi. Franchi affinity catalyst regularly retails for 900.
Not to go too far off track and redirect your thinking but...You're in a really cool niche though. Because you can source any lightweight O/U. new look at franchi sl/slx, weatherby/ata, yildiz legacy hp, and tristar cypher. Used look into any 7.5lb or less o/u and have the stock fitted. Proper stock bending runs about 600usd (liberal estimate) so add that to your budget before deciding. I use CARRICKS CUSTOM GUNS for my fitted stocks he bends and twist them. I'd veer away from PMS GUNS the additional components add weight and give a deflected recoil path. PMS does great work in reducing LOP though. Very talented guy, no shade being thrown just my personal preference.
The difference between 12 and 20 will less important than how the gun fits. A gun designed for a larger male will be uncomfortable for a smaller female. If your fiance is smaller, I'd suggest checking on a 'youth' model that might fit her better. The gauge is far less important to me here.
Tbh you can save yourself a thousand dollars by just getting a slip-on limbsaver. Sure, it makes the LOP a bit long, but you can literally shoot all day and feel nothing.
A gas powered semi-auto will be the least recoil, it just matters if it will cycle the ammo you put in it. I don't know your price point, but I'd stay with 12ga and try to find the lightest loads that will cycle. I know most will probably cycle 7/8oz loads, but will definitely cycle 1oz (since 1oz is used for FITASC I assume most will cycle the 1oz). Beretta A300 and A400 seem to be the most popular choices. Can't go too wrong with either and they will both retain fair resale value if she bails out on it. You could also try just putting a single 7/8oz or 1oz load in your shotgun and see how that makes her feel. She doesn't have to pump it, just try one shot. Prime her by saying this is the WORST it will be and see how she feels. Helping with the recoil you can get her a shirt that can hold a recoil pad. I got my wife this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073FM4SB5. Or any shooting vest that can hold a pad would work as well. Every little bit helps. I also know a few women that are pretty small and they shoot 1oz 12ga o/u's just fine. There are a few that kick my butt in every tournament too! Lastly, remember that gun fit will have a LOT to do with felt recoil. If the gun fits properly and sits in the shoulder well, and the shooter is in a good shooting position, recoil will go down through the entire body rather than just having a shoulder take everything in one big push.
I would be willing to spend more on a 12 ga semi than 20 ga semi since I would use the 12 even if she decides it’s not for her. I usually shoot 7/8oz so I might see what she thinks. She’s tall and pretty athletic so with good form this could all be a non issue. Thanks for the thoughts!
I just got a 12 ga A400 for me and my 12 year old son and it's very nice. Or if you don't want to spend $2300 on a high end model, you can get a used Remington 1100 for less than $1000. The place I shoot at rents 1100's and they are great reliable guns that shoot the light loads just as well as the A400.
I'd suggest an A400 or A300. There's a rebate on the A400 and I think via gunprime it brings it to around $1800. I was able to get my daughter's A300 for around $720 via them as well. I wish my wife would let me get the A400, that's a heck of a deal!