Best O/U for a 12 year old?

[Tommy.H 0]

My eldest son (16) and I both shoot clays. I have a 686E Beretta 12g and he has a Winchester Select 2 12g both are 30". We are considering starting his younger brother (12) but he finds both guns too heavy. I don't want to start him on a semi despite the weight advantage as I want him to learn safety first and I think there is more chance of him making an error with a semi than there is with him starting on a lighter 12 or 20 gauge but I have no idea about 20 gauges or where I can get my hands on a smaller 12g. A [bANNED TEXT] had a 20 Rizzini built on a 12g but that was years ago. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

[matt_hooks 188]

Go for a nice light gun. Someone who knows what they're doing with a 28 will hit as many clays as someone with a 12! Get him a nice light 28 o/u, with fairly light loads (or even .410 if he's really small frame)

[halamrose 24]

Light gun means more recoil, light loads are the answer. Does he realy need a O/U? He could learn a lot just with a single shot.

[Rake aboot 4,936]

If you make him safe with an auto, he`ll be safe with anything

ATB

[Tommy.H 0]

Thanks guys.

I suppose my thinking is that if he has a light gun I could take it with me on some rough shoots and not have to carry the 686.

 

A small aside what is the (Banned Text) thing about in my original post?

Edited February 12, 2011 by Tommy.H

[danw 1,748]

http://www.webley.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=26&Itemid=34

 

 

scroll down to the 28 bore

[Rake aboot 4,936]

Thanks guys.

I suppose my thinking is that if he has a light gun I could take it with me on some rough shoots and not have to carry the 686.

 

A small aside what is the (Banned Text) thing about in my original post?

 

 

THL thinks some words or spelling is TEXT TALK which is banned on the site, cause its inane lol (see the irony)

 

ATB

[bullmastiff 615]

I think if you got him a 28 bore he'd out grow it within a few years and be wanting to upgrade to a larger calibre? plus it'll probably be built on a 20bore action so won't be that much lighter, the cost of cartridges will probably be higher and less available than more standard Bores? Just my thoughts but you wouldn't go far wrong with a half decent 20bore (on a 20bore action) with light loads.

Another plus, I think you'll find yourself using his gun more than your 12g! I used one on beaters day and I'd forgotten how much fun they are too shoot with!!!

[airbourne 128]

aya no4 s/s 26" barrel 12g nice and light and are as good has any o/u

[danw 1,748]

I think if you got him a 28 bore he'd out grow it within a few years and be wanting to upgrade to a larger calibre? plus it'll probably be built on a 20bore action so won't be that much lighter, the cost of cartridges will probably be higher and less available than more standard Bores? Just my thoughts but you wouldn't go far wroung a half decent 20bore (on a 20bore action) with light loads.

Another plus, I think you'll find yourself using his gun more than your 12g! I used one on beaters day and I'd forgotten how much fun they are too shoot with!!!

 

Reason I agreed with matt and said 28 is cause I believe it to be very foolish to have both a 20 and a 12 in the same house and I speak as one who has loaded a 20 into a 12 and very nearly had a serious accident

[Dan_Smiff 2]

I'd rather find a nice light 12 bore that he can handle with a good, soft recoil pad. The recoil with 21g & 24g carts is very low - I first used a shotgun around the same age and only ever in 12 bore (infact I was in my mid 20's before I ever shot a 20 bore). This way there will be no messing around with different catridges, not to mention the cost difference (even between 12 & 20).

 

Try him with a beretta ultralight or if cost is an issue try a Yildiz - a chap in my syndicate shoots one and it's like a feather!

[Dan_Mercian 27]

I found browning medalists to be very light!