Shotgun for my son?
 

Hello, my son is really getting the hunting fever after killing his first deer this year, wants to get into turkey hunting in the spring. He has a Rossi 3 in 1 that has a single shot 20 gauge that kicks too hard even for me, let alone a 12 year old. Any suggestions for a shotgun that he could use for a few years? He is getting close to being big enough to use a regular gun, he's 130 lbs. Thanks

i would go with a Remington 870 express mag. 12 guage..it doesnt kick..best gun for the money..i have had mine for years i would NEVER use another shotgun..i use mine for everything from waterfowl to dove to deer hunting..i also just use a standard Remington full choke..i killed the biggest buck of my life this year from 85 yards with a pack of hounds behind him with my 870

I often recommend this auto loader for their first Waterfowler and Turkey set-up.



http://www.stoegerindustries.com/fir...model_2000.php




Good starter gun...............................

I agree with Sheridan - a semi auto has less kick/recoil felt than a pump gun and thus one could use a bigger gauge shotgun.

Many single shots have a high recoil. To reduce that recoil in any gun used - use a lighter load. A good load would be a simple low brass trap load in 7.5 or 8 shot. (Note: on all other game except turkey where legal- #4 - 2 3/4 Turkey loads will work here)

One does not need Magnum shells to harvest game. Just teach the youngster to make good shots at a much closer range. A 20 gauge 2 3/4 #4 shot round will kill a Tom turkey at 20 yards easy if the shot is well placed to the head. Trick is to take the shot at less than 20 yds.
JW

JW

Shotgun
 

I use either an Ithaca 20 gauge pump, or a Remington 1100 12 gauge. Obviously, the Remington has better range, but is a little heavier (as far as weight, not recoil). For recoil, he should be able to handle it, it doesn't kick more the the 20, which has very little to start. My two cents.
BigBuck95 :cool15:

These guys telling you to get a pump are incorrect IMO. And, those telling you to put a 12 gauge in a twelve year old hands are way off base. You could ruin the kid by hurting their shoulder.

An autoloader is the best bet. My gun dealer sold me a 20 ga. Remington 11-87 adult model then advised me to get a youth stock off of Ebay. That way they have one to grow into. It works great. Have the kid practice with 2 3/4" low brass so as to not get shocked by the recoil. Switch to a turkey load on the day of the hunt. With the extra clothing and all the adrenalin, they will never know the difference. I would recommend that you pattern the gun with the turkey loads to make sure they work.

Keep the shots close. Another bit of advice is to put the kid in between your legs. That way you can coach them right throught the process by whispering in their ear - at least the first time.

Yep what Bob said ....

Yea I would definetly suggest a 20ga for a young hunter... Hell buy him a special purpose 20ga turkey gun and he could use that even when he becomes a adult...

With all the new 20ga turkey loads on the market these days... That gun would prob take turkeys out to 35-40 yards...

I just bought my son a 1187 20 today for Christmas, after debateing on the youth or sportsman I ended up buying the regular sportsman,my son will be 12 and is pretty small but I think he will grow into it fast,It has a 26in barrel which from what I read might shoot a little better.I will have to find a good choke and shell combo so I can get it shooting good for him,I think with the new shells and chokes I can get good patterns from this gun.

I am a firm believer that just because they are Youth hunters, it's NO EXCUSE why they should shoot 2nd rate garbage guns like cheap Rem 870's, Ithacas, etc.! Why not buy them a quality gun to be proud of and one that will last a lifetime.

I know I want my kids to enjoy the best patterning, highest quality shotguns in the industry. I want them to be the best shooters with access to the best equipment, this will inturn allow them to enjoy the sport and success even more!

For that reason my kids turkey hunt with 2 top quality shotguns in our collection...

Their fav is a T/C Encore Pro Hunter 12 gauge, in 2nd place is a Benelli Super Black Eagle II 12 gauge.

Favorite, best patterning loads are 3", 2oz., #5 Hevi-Shot

My 13 year old Daughter can hadle her T/C as well as ANY turkey hunter in the woods can and I feel it's very important that she have that confidence. Buy the best, isn't the next generation of hunters worth it?

Cornfed,

You sure don't hold back do you?

I love my two 870 "2nd rate, cheap, garbage" guns. They have killed many animals just as dead as any other gun. Now if you would have referenced Mossberg, then I would have let it slip.

IMO - no other gun is as dependable as a trusty old 870, but I would still get an autoloader for a child just getting into hunting.

Yep, sorry about that.... sometimes I do get a little carried away with the way I word my posts. :o

You are TOTALLY CORRECT, they will indeed kill game just as dead as any expensive gun will! I even have a 870 LW Mag 20 gauge and a 12 gauge 870 SPS Catilever slug gun, sitting around here somewhere! :happy0001:

I just think of "cheap" guns as the lil' ol' 870 express, with those plain Jane, el' cheapo wood stocks... it seems like every Tom, Dick and Harry shows up to hunt with a $250, 870 that they picked up at Wal-Mart! :wink:

I also have to totally agree with you on the Mossberg reference!!! WOW, with their alum receivers and poor slides they are indeed the opposite of quality! I made the mistake of buying a Youth model 500 Super Bantam for my Daughter when she was 7..... as soon as we shot it... I realized that the gun was dimestore junk and I apologized to my Daughter for even suggesting it was a hunting firearm! :o

Cornfed,

Tell me about the T/C Encore Pro 12 ga. and your 13 yr old handling it. Very nice bird - BTW.

It looks like it is not the muzzle loading shotgun barrel. Does the regular stock fit her well?

My 13 yr old son currently uses my daughters 20 ga 11-87. The T/C may just be the perfect gun gift for him.

If it's in your price range, I honestly couldn't think of a better gun!

It is NOT the muzzleloader shotgun barrel. My kids use the 209x.50 muzzleloader barrels for DEER but then switch them out for the camo 24" 12 gauge barrels topped with Indian Creek, Black Diamond Strike choke tubes.... add a Red Dot and this is a 50 yard turkey killer when loaded with 3", 2oz, #5 Hevi-Shot

My Daughter is only 5ft and weighs 100lbs and the thumbhole stock is just about perfect for her. Shes been shootin' the gun for a couple years with no problems and has taken several deer and turkey with the set-up. It's such a great gun that my 9 year old son also uses one for his deer and turkey hunting... the stocks a bit to large for him but he doesn't seem to have any problems controlling it.

Here's my Daughter and how the gun fit her 2 years ago, so she is pretty small and petite in this pic

Sweeeeet. I have wanted one and now have a perfect reason to get it. "It is for our son, honey".

Here's my daughter's turkey from this spring.

Remington 870 express super mag. 12 guage I just took 4 boys and a girl out to shoot mine and the boys had never shot a gun that was my daughter's first time with a 12 ga. And she is 11 now I lost that gun lol

Dude I cant believe u said that... Well then again I do...

U dont even have to say a word... I'll just say this


" I Rest My Case " AGAIN

Get him a Mossberg model 500 2o gauge pump. Doesn't kick and I am about 35 pounds lighter then your son, i am pretty small. I use a 5 shot Remington Nitro Turkey, they work just fine. Put him a modified or full choke in there and it makes a heck of a gun.