Shotgun Advice!!! Female Shooter

[Ambo91 0]

Hi all, I'm a beginner and own a 12G semi.. When I was researching guns before I knew I wanted a semi. I was reading on a shooting forum women being horrified that men were saying certain guns are too big for women to use. That women can shoot with any gun.. Yada yada.. This is where I strongly disagree now. I went ahead and Bought a budget semi so if the gun ended up not suiting I wasnt out a fortune (or incase I was sh*t at shooting lol)

My problem is (being only 5ft2) the semi is Huge, It 100% if I'm just whacking clays all day the recoil isn't a problem even using BB's.. however my Mr and i head out on our permissions.. By the time we're an hour or two in I start to get frustrated.. It is heavy but not too heavy.. Its more so a problem that it's so long.. Even if I considered a 3point sling.. The gun would touch the ground. As I said, I'm a novice so getting out and doing it is still brilliant and I'm loving it, but I know the gun is definitely too big for me. I was hoping someone could advise me on what would maybe suit (something smaller), I love a semi.. I've tried an over and under and side by side before.. But I just like the semi best.. The escort semi was cheap enough so id just hold on to it also.. But definitely need something more practical... Any advice appreciated

 

Thanks. A

[tomburras 2,730]

what about a nice light side by side 20 bore? I have one and next to my old Hatsan escort it looked tiny. with 25 gram cartridges its usable range is very similar to the 12 bore, its as light as a feather and can wander all day happily.

 

Have a look on guntrader for a kestrel 20 bore they are cheap too.

[walshie 2,804]

How about a 20g semi?

[Ambo91 0]

Thank you!! Will definitely go and do my research here.

[Ambo91 0]

Id need to probably go and try a 20g to see what I thought!!

 

The only positive this time round is, I know what I don't want. There is just so many options.. I'm spoilt for choice!!

[walshie 2,804]

Don't forget to use lighter cartridges if you go for a 20. Light guns kick like hell with heavy carts.

[Born Hunter 17,788]

Don't Benelli do some short barreled autos? I remember handling one a few years ago in my local that was lovely and light, something like a 25-26 inch barrel.

[Born Hunter 17,788]

I'm sure it was one of these; https://www.guntrader.uk/Guns-For-Sale/Benelli_Shotgun_Montefeltro_For-Sale_160321095009009

 

It might be a bag of spanners but it's the most compact/light sporting auto I've ever handled.

[walshie 2,804]

I'm sure it was one of these; https://www.guntrader.uk/Guns-For-Sale/Benelli_Shotgun_Montefeltro_For-Sale_160321095009009

 

It might be a bag of spanners but it's the most compact/light sporting auto I've ever handled.

 

I doubt any Benelli is a bag of spanners. 5lb 13oz is a good light gun and 24" as short as you can legally go. Nice find BH.

[Ambo91 0]

Born hunter, that ticks all boxes!!! ? Thanks

[Born Hunter 17,788]

 

I'm sure it was one of these; https://www.guntrader.uk/Guns-For-Sale/Benelli_Shotgun_Montefeltro_For-Sale_160321095009009

 

It might be a bag of spanners but it's the most compact/light sporting auto I've ever handled.

 

I doubt any Benelli is a bag of spanners. 5lb 13oz is a good light gun and 24" as short as you can legally go. Nice find BH.

 

 

LOL, you're right of course but I like to cover my arse.

 

No probs Ambo.

[Deker 3,478]

Who knows, but British women have done ok in Shotgun competition with 12g.

 

I am wondering if technique/fit are the main issue here rather than simply being 12g.

 

20 certainly has its uses but we are talking about a 12g semi here already!

 

I would perhaps suggest a visit to a fitter/instructor before throwing in the towel and buying another gun (even if the existing one is a Hatsan)

 

[Alsone 789]

You haven't said how long the barrels are or whether the gun is a good fit.

 

I'd hazard a guess it could be a 30" in which case a 28" or 26" might suit you better. 26" isn't that common in a semi, but there are some out there eg the Browning Maxus has a 26" option.

 

Also, it would be worth checking gun fit as one thing that will make the gun seem excessively large is if the stock is too long for you and your stretched out to reach the grip / trigger - a poorly fitting stock can make an ordinary length gun seem huge and will also ruin your accuracy / swing.

 

I'd say most people who find a gun too large, usually do so because the stock dimensions are a long way out from their ideal fit. If it's not a good fit, you need to get the stock modified.

 

As for carrying the gun, get a slip with handles and carry it horizontally if you have insufficient height to comfortably carry it vertically over the back. A shorter gun will definitely help here although note barrel length affects accuracy and swing. Carrying with handles is not as easy as with a sling over long distances. However, note a lighter gun has more felt recoil, so it's all swings and roundabouts.

[delswal 3,819]

26" remmington 1100 my wife had one it also handled 24g cartridges fine fitted a decent recoil pad she was shooting 50 clays with 28g no problem, the biggest problem will be finding a decent 1100

[SportingShooter 0]

Thing is with semi autos, they have very long actions, so a 30" barrel has the effect of being a 34" barrel on a normal gun.

 

Perhaps you could try and find a synthetic stocked auto with a 26" barrel as suggested, this should keep weight and length to a minimum.

 

What quarry are you shooting with your current gun? A small bore may not be best suited to some things, the foreshore and foxes being two that I can think of.

 

Alternatively, what about something like the Beretta Ultralight or similar? They weigh in at a shade under 6lbs which is lighter than most side by sides and certainly lighter than any semi-automatic. If you're shooting standard game loads and occasional heavier loads, it would probably suit you just fine.

 

I would suggest the type of gun is the issue rather than a 12g being too much gun.