[ShotgunPro]

Picked up an 870 tactical 12ga., but this is more of a general shotgun shell question.

What loads are easier to shoot with the least amount of felt recoil? Reason being is my wife is 5'4" and 115lbs, I have no problem shooting any 12ga, but I'm looking for something that wont knock her on her @$$. I have found 1.75" short shells, and I think some basic low brass #9 will do just fine...however are there any recommendations?

 

[ShotgunPro]

Save the #9 shot for birds. Use #3 shot or lower for self defense. Now if you just want your wife to get some practice operating the gun, bird shot would be fine. But really you should have her practice using the shell that will be loaded for self defense.
Another option is to purchase a recoil reducing Knoxx stock. That may help her shoot heavier loads.

 

[ShotgunPro]

20 gauge.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Save the #9 shot for birds. Use #3 shot or lower for self defense. Now if you just want your wife to get some practice operating the gun, bird shot would be fine. But really you should have her practice using the shell that will be loaded for self defense.
Another option is to purchase a recoil reducing Knoxx stock. That may help her shoot heavier loads.

Thank you ! I have heard that the knoxx stocks reduce felt recoil, yet the muzzle climb increases. I'm wondering if the operators aren't holding the gun tight enough?

I was looking at this stock instead of the Knoxx, other than price, any opinion?
Mesa Tactical LEO & Magpul MOE Stock with ITT Shot Shock Buffer Kit for Remington 870: MSP Scope Mounts

I was also thinking my HD rounds would be #3 or #4 shot, thanks for the feedback KNO3 (potassium nitrate...works wonders )

 

[ShotgunPro]

20 gauge.

I have an OLD 20ga bolt action made for Montgomery Ward by Mossberg (in excellent shape). She would like it if I could find a decent recoil pad for it other than that stock plastic one that offers nothing but full feeling on recoil.

 

[ShotgunPro]

look into some of the reduced recoil buckshot loads. I've never shot any but it's worth a shot.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Thank you ! I have heard that the knoxx stocks reduce felt recoil, yet the muzzle climb increases. I'm wondering if the operators aren't holding the gun tight enough?

I was looking at this stock instead of the Knoxx, other than price, any opinion?
Mesa Tactical LEO & Magpul MOE Stock with ITT Shot Shock Buffer Kit for Remington 870: MSP Scope Mounts

I was also thinking my HD rounds would be #3 or #4 shot, thanks for the feedback KNO3 (potassium nitrate...works wonders )

I have never used the Magpul MOE stock on a shotgun. #4 shot is the highest I would go for HD rounds. DevJames brings up a good point I hadn't thought about. Look into reduced recoil rounds.

look into some of the reduced recoil buckshot loads. I've never shot any but it's worth a shot.

Pun intended?

 

[ShotgunPro]

Put a few reduced recoil rounds in there then a 3" slug. You may be sleeping on the couch but it'll be funny.

 

[ShotgunPro]

I like the federal law enforcement 00buck reduced recoil load. Holds tight groups out of my 870.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk 2

 

[ShotgunPro]

I've got an 870 with the Knoxx butt and my wife is about the same size, maybe a little smaller than yours. While she can use the 870, she got a bruise the last time from extended shooting and won't shoot it again. I bought a Mossberg 930 Field/Security combo and she can shoot that all day. There is no comparison in recoil between the semi-auto and the 870; it's a creampuff.

 

[ShotgunPro]

I have the 870 HD. My wife gave it a try with 2 3/4" 00 buck and whined and moaned that it kicked too hard, she couldn't shoot it. She had shot it at a milk jug and over contemplated the recoil and that was all that was in her head. That was about 8 months ago. Last week our daughter cut loose a scream in our back yard. A very large water snake had come out to sun by the edge of the pond. My wife grabbed the 870 and blew his head clean off first shot. After it was all over, later that day I said " Did it kick you"? "No" she replied. She said "I didn't even think about it". SO, the point I guess I'm getting at is; If all they concentrate on is " Oh gosh its gonna kick, Oh gosh its gonna kick" then ya get belted, and that is the same wheter it is an 400.00 870, or a 7000.00 Perazzi or a 20,000.00 Silver Seitz. But when the rubber meets the road, and yer mind is fixed on another direction, you don't feel it. My wife?? 5' 4" 110 lbs....

 

[ShotgunPro]

I have the 870 HD. My wife gave it a try with 2 3/4" 00 buck and whined and moaned that it kicked too hard, she couldn't shoot it. She had shot it at a milk jug and over contemplated the recoil and that was all that was in her head. That was about 8 months ago. Last week our daughter cut loose a scream in our back yard. A very large water snake had come out to sun by the edge of the pond. My wife grabbed the 870 and blew his head clean off first shot. After it was all over, later that day I said " Did it kick you"? "No" she replied. She said "I didn't even think about it". SO, the point I guess I'm getting at is; If all they concentrate on is " Oh gosh its gonna kick, Oh gosh its gonna kick" then ya get belted, and that is the same wheter it is an 400.00 870, or a 7000.00 Perazzi or a 20,000.00 Silver Seitz. But when the rubber meets the road, and yer mind is fixed on another direction, you don't feel it. My wife?? 5' 4" 110 lbs....

Great point !! And it is true, mind over matter...all jokes aside, thank you.

Best.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Reduced recoil 2.75" 00 buck.

Kicks less than 20ga buckshot loads.

Birdshot--OF ANY SIZE--is for birds and mammals that weigh less than ten pounds. All mammals that weigh more deserve buck. Use it for practice, and that's it.

(Actually, my more real suggestion is get rid of the shotgun in favor of a .223 rifle--AR, Mini-14, etc, or perhaps even an M1 carbine...works just as well as a shotgun, with little to no recoil)

 

[ShotgunPro]

Reduced recoil 2.75" 00 buck.

Kicks less than 20ga buckshot loads.

Birdshot--OF ANY SIZE--is for birds and mammals that weigh less than ten pounds. All mammals that weigh more deserve buck. Use it for practice, and that's it.

(Actually, my more real suggestion is get rid of the shotgun in favor of a .223 rifle--AR, Mini-14, etc, or perhaps even an M1 carbine...works just as well as a shotgun, with little to no recoil)

Cuda hit the nail on the head with all of his statements.
I know a rifle isn't for everyone but for home defense i now go to my AR.
Sold my 870 and dont regret it one bit.

 

[ShotgunPro]

That would be funny, not smart but funny

 

[ShotgunPro]

Put a few reduced recoil rounds in there then a 3" slug. You may be sleeping on the couch but it'll be funny.

And in that instance that she touches off that 3" she will probably be turned off from shooting guns and put the op in a odd position with his girl.
While it might be funny to some. Unless you want her to never shoot a gun again, I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Reduced recoil 2.75" 00 buck.

Kicks less than 20ga buckshot loads.

Birdshot--OF ANY SIZE--is for birds and mammals that weigh less than ten pounds. All mammals that weigh more deserve buck. Use it for practice, and that's it.

(Actually, my more real suggestion is get rid of the shotgun in favor of a .223 rifle--AR, Mini-14, etc, or perhaps even an M1 carbine...works just as well as a shotgun, with little to no recoil)

When I have the $$$ for an AR, that will be my next route. All I have atm is my xd40 and the 870. There are two shops in San Diego, CA where you can build your very own custom AR from scratch just pull the parts off the shelves yourself...kinds like walking into a LEGO store for kids. Build as you go kinda thing....this is my next route after summer.

Cuda hit the nail on the head with all of his statements.
I know a rifle isn't for everyone but for home defense i now go to my AR.
Sold my 870 and dont regret it one bit.

Everybody should have a rifle, shotgun, pistol, and a few knives at the very least IMHO.

And in that instance that she touches off that 3" she will probably be turned off from shooting guns and put the op in a odd position with his girl.
While it might be funny to some. Unless you want her to never shoot a gun again, I wouldn't recommend it.

True, probably the reason she's not wanting to shoot the XD too often, it's a bit much for her. On the flip side I'm proud that she's at least wanting to shoot it and know about what's being kept in the house in case she needs to use anything.