Advice for a 20 bore please.

[gibby]

I'm looking for a 20 bore for the girlfriend as she's taken a liking to my shooting which is a huge bonus. Having not had much experiance with a 20 I'd like some advice on which to have a look at. I'm looking for something of minimal weight but which also doesn't kick like a mule. I've used a couple of Mirikou 20's and must say they feel just like a 12 so those are ruled out.

 

Any help please.

 

Gibby

[magman]

Beretta 30" barrels sorted

[sitsinhedges]

If you want to keep the cost reasonable a Lincoln Premier would seem a good starting point

 

I've just bought a Beretta Silver Pigeon 20g but it serious money at well over a grand

[HDAV]

Hoping that my missus will enjoy clay shooting is the issue the weight of the gun? or the recoil? I ask as I went with a group of mates to a clay ground and everyone in the beginner group shot 21g subsonics through a 12G 686 30"? One of the girls shoots and is quite small and has 20G and seemed to struggle more by stand 8/9 than the girls having a lesson with the 12G.

 

I would think if its a combo of weight and recoil, smaller shells and a semi (obviously one that can cycle light loads) would be the optimum? Considering the higher costs of 20b carts and guns I was thinking smaller carts in a 12B lightweight semi would be the answer?

[Diceman]

I have a Fabarm Axis 20b and with 21 gramme catridges its only the clay breaking that lets you know it has actually gone off

Try her on yours with 21g 12's first though, they kill amazingly well and she might get on OK with those and save you buying another gun (sorry!)

Edited April 18, 2010 by Diceman

[COACH]

Hull 21g Comp X cartridges in a nice light 12 gauge o/u game gun with 28 in barrels.

It will take her a while to mount the 20 gauge properly just as it will take her a while to mount the 12 gauge properly.

She has to build up the forearm and back muscles with both in order to shoot. This will take her about a month or so and then she won`t notice it. Almost all woman have to go through it I`m afraid.

But go for a 12 gauge o/u and not an auto as most are too heavy, too long and won`t use light loads. It can also be dangerous for a novice to use one because of the barrel not breaking and the third cartridge in the chamber etc,etc.

[JonnyR]

Depends what you want it for. If it is purely clays I would agree with one of the earlier posts on a lightish 12 bore with 21g carts or a semi auto if recoil is already a problem. If she is going to do some game shooting too then a Beretta SP is ideal - my wife shoots one at everything including tall pheasants in Wales.

 

cheers,

[JamesD10]

My soon-to-be wife, uses a beretta s687 sporting 29.5" barrels, It's quite a light gun but if its married with some light cartridges its lovely to shoot. She is also able to shoot a few out of my 12g sometimes if I'm sensible with the cartridges. Shooting a 20g for both me and her only becomes an issue with heavier loads, if we have an argument i slip a black powder cartridge in her bag or some 30g cartridges in there haha! In my experience just choose the appropriate cartridges, she is currently using Lyavale Express 'Light comp' 21g 7.5's, and some gold 24g 7's which are lovely to shoot with.

 

J

[lasbrisas]

My 11 year old uses a 20g Lincoln with a shortened stock and weight balanced which fits him perfectly and he is small for his age. He uses 24g Hull Pro Twenty carts no problem. He hits everything I do with my 12g so using a smaller gauge doesn't mean you will hit less.