youth shotguns
 

was just wondering if anyone had info on youth shotguns. my girlfriend wants to go turkey hunting and i am looking for a small turkey gun with a light recoil she is only about 5'3'' and 110lbs . I have a single shot new england 20 guage but holly cow that thing kicks worse then my mosberg 835.any info would be great. i was thinking an 870 or a bantam 500 but i am not sure on how much these guns kick.

thanks corey

RE: youth shotguns
 

An auto loader would have less recoil but since you didn't mention them we won't discuss them. Either of your 2 choices in 20 guage will work fine but I would recommend that you have her shooting light target loads.

You take the gun alone and do the patterning work to find out what shell work best. Don't let her pull the trigger on a heavy turkey load till there is a big old gobbler out in front. She'll be so excited that she'll never notice the difference.

I've done that with 2 kids and neither one ever mentioned about the extra recoil.

RE: youth shotguns
 

Remington makes a youth model 1100 turkey gun, it's a 20 gauge. You should check it out at remington.com It looks pretty nice.

RE: youth shotguns
 

I have two sons, ages 14 and 12, one has the 870 youth, the other has the bantam 500.

both are great guns, the remington is SLIGHTLY tighter in its tolerances, but the mossberg is way better than they use to be (I have an older 500).

As for kick, target loads are the thing to break her in with. My two boys can shoot trap for hours and love it. Had them each sight in slugs for deer and pattern for turkeys and they HATED it. Slugs kick like mules and 3 inch turkey loads do a pretty decent mule immitation!

However, they both shot the "hated" shells last season, 12 year old rolled a turkey, 14 year old dropped a deer. Neither kid felt the recoil in the slightest bit. Additionally they hunt ducks with 3 inch steel loads and have no problems.

--Bob

RE: youth shotguns
 

I have a 870 youth 20ga and with Hevi-Shot and an undertaker choke tube it is a great turkey gun with light recoil and is really light and manuverable. I also think that remington is of better quality. (I hve also used a mossberg)