Have you ever considered splitting the difference?
Maybe a 16 gauge coach gun?
Maybe a 16 gauge coach gun?
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12 gauge reduced recoil vs 20 gauge
- Thread starter agent00
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BourbonCowboy
Member
There is another option, but it requires more labor.
I only buy 7 1/2 or 8 birdshot. But I cut them down to make #4 Buckshot minishells for my Mossberg Shockwave. It doesn't require a lot of skill, and I have no hesitation in using them for home defense.
I only buy 7 1/2 or 8 birdshot. But I cut them down to make #4 Buckshot minishells for my Mossberg Shockwave. It doesn't require a lot of skill, and I have no hesitation in using them for home defense.
JWintergreen
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I am a sample size of one, but according to my shoulder 20 gauge recoils less than, a somewhat comparable, reduced recoil 12 gauge round, even though 20 gauge shotguns are lighter. With the 20, you do not have to hunt for specialty "reduced recoil" loads, as most (all in my opinion) 20 gauge buck and slug loads are very manageable.
I love 12 gauge shotguns, but for me the 20 gauge is the best combination of performance, payload, recoil, and weight. The only real negative is that there are not as many options when it comes to both shotguns and ammo.
It is a shame that the 12 gauge or nothing crowd overlooks them.
I love 12 gauge shotguns, but for me the 20 gauge is the best combination of performance, payload, recoil, and weight. The only real negative is that there are not as many options when it comes to both shotguns and ammo.
It is a shame that the 12 gauge or nothing crowd overlooks them.
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If finding 20 gauge ammo is part of the problem buying a 16 gauge shotgun is not the solution.
My dad is 92 and is recoil sensitive. He can shoot a 20 but not a 12.
That is a valid assumption I thought so to but apparently 16/70 is in Austria a more popular gauge than the 20. There are many different hunting loads available . Many more than in 20 gauge. Even buckshot would be obtainable.
#1 buck from federal which seems quite a decent buckshot load.
They are no 16 gauge coach runs around anymore it seems so 16 gauge is out the question.
Chief Wiggums
Member
OK - somebody has to say it.....here goes.....
Hello Agent00!
Who keeps the gun , in the event of a relationship break-up?
If you pay for the gun , place / keep the receipt in a safe place.
also...all of the above replies are all great advice.
I would go w whatever ammo is more readily available in Austria. 12G reduced-recoil is more than enough to accomplish your goals!
max503
Member
Lightfoot4
Member
I second the recommendation for a Limbsaver recoil pad. I put one on my 12 gauge double and there is a big difference in felt recoil.
Doug M.
Member
In addition to what WR Moore said, remember that an intruder is likely wearing clothes. Depending on what time of year it is and other variables, the projectiles might have to penetrate pretty heavy stuff to get to the body.
Do I want to get shot with bird shot? Nope. I don't want to get shot with anything. That does not mean I consider it to be adequately reliable for social use.
Do I want to get shot with bird shot? Nope. I don't want to get shot with anything. That does not mean I consider it to be adequately reliable for social use.
Yes you and WR Moore made some valid points. I would it put it this wayI do not doubt that some bigger birdshot could be devestating at close range but it might also not work as iintended.
For self defense it important to leave nothing to chance and use the best ammo out there. And that is buckshot.
in 12 gauge the availability is decent. . Have done some more research about the online avaibility of buckshot and it looks ok. Everything is on back order now but at least in theory it should be possible to get tactical stuff from federal. Horandy sells their tap reduced recoil rounds and hornady tap light magnum rounds. There also some self defense branded 00 buckshot from Fioochi available.
12 or 20 doesn't have anything to do with recoil. Recoil is determined by the speed and weight of the shot and weight of the gun. There are 12 ga. loads that have the weight shot at the same speed as 20 ga. loads and if the 12 ga. is a heavier gun the recoil will be less. Larry
This is what recoil is all about.
Plus add to it the physical stock dimensions of the gun,,,how it fits the shooter. This alone can make a fairly mild load seem to recoil excessivly.
Too much drop,,short LOP,,thin comb, etc.
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Ditto. My 12-gauge 870 Remington is kept loaded with field loads of BB-shot, basically a heavy goose load. About 90 pellets of .17 to .18 caliber. The longest straight-line distance inside my home is under 40 feet, and at that range I doubt the recipient would be able to tell the difference between 1-1/4 oz. BB-shot and either buckshot or slug.
For those sensitive to recoil a very simple solution is using target loads (12-gauge 2-3/4" 1-oz. #7-1/2 or #8 shot). These are usually available from Federal, Winchester, and Remington at bargain prices. Perfectly good for training and practice use. If you feel the need for something more potent for home defense, some heavy waterfowl loads (BB, T, #2, etc) can be loaded for that purpose, and I doubt the difference in recoil will be noticed in a defensive use situation.
Ask any cop who has ever investigated a death involving shotgun wounds at close range; you don't want to be on the receiving end of ANY SHOTGUN LOAD from across the room distance.
robvious
Member
I find that 20ga loads often try to compensate for not being a 12 ga and negate the effort of downsizing.. the available spectrum of 12ga ammo selection allows it to be whatever you need it to be.
Yeah thanks for the recommendation. the limbersaver recoil pads really look interesting. I will get one for sure.
I am also interested in using slugs in my future coach gun not for home defense (that would be overkill) but for target shooting. So some additional means to compensate the recoil the coach gun is a must .
@robvious That makes sense to me what are you saying. The 20 gauge is for sure an interesting round that can be very useful but when putting the ammo avaibility for my personal situation into the account a 12 gauge would be the smarter choice. There are many different power levels available for that gauge so there is not really a point that speaks against the 12 gauge.
My decision is made. I will go for 12 gauge.
The only remaining question left is which 12 gauge we are going to chose.
Hopefuly our local range is open again in january I and my gf will go to our range and try out the some coach guns they have available to find out which one suits us best .
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I like my 20's
I'll have to cast one vote for the 20's. I own 4 of them, including my new Bennelli. If you compare the recoil of the two, the 20 is a little less. According to Chuck Hawks's table a:
20ga 2.75" (7/8 at 1200) is about 16.1 - Your going to feel it.
12ga 2.75" (1 at 1180) is 17.3 not much more.
But carrying the gun through the fields, I notice the difference.
If I were buying foe defensive only, I'd probably go with the 12 because of ammo available. But walking the fields for squirrel, rabbit an quail. I like my 20's.
I'll have to cast one vote for the 20's. I own 4 of them, including my new Bennelli. If you compare the recoil of the two, the 20 is a little less. According to Chuck Hawks's table a:
20ga 2.75" (7/8 at 1200) is about 16.1 - Your going to feel it.
12ga 2.75" (1 at 1180) is 17.3 not much more.
But carrying the gun through the fields, I notice the difference.
If I were buying foe defensive only, I'd probably go with the 12 because of ammo available. But walking the fields for squirrel, rabbit an quail. I like my 20's.
Jeff423
US Veteran
My guess is that in an SD situation recoil won't be your biggest concern.
