Vinny v Posted February 27, 2011 Report Share Posted February 27, 2011 My son is 12 years old and has been shooting a club 20 gauge single barrel for some months with no real problems. We are now looking to buy his first gun but cannot decide which would be best. In a recent shooting lesson the coach advised that the double barrel beretta 20g was too heavy and recommended a 28 gauge however when we went to a shop to look for a gun the owner advised that most 28 gauge are very similar weights to the 20 gauge and that a 20 gauge would last him somewhat longer and recommended that we purchased a light 20 gauge?!?!? I understand the importance of fit etc but this is now becomming impossible. Can anyone either recommend a light 20 gauge or should we look at 28 gauge. All advice gratefully received. Many thanks V Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seeker Posted February 27, 2011 Report Share Posted February 27, 2011 Some 28s are just the smaller gauge barrels put on a 20 action .. so weight could increase. ... A 28 on 28 action should be lighter. A Beretta game 28 should also be lighter than a Sporter which has a slightly wider rib. I've used a Beretta 686 28g/ 28 action, for several years with 21 & 24 g loads ... other loads are also available. in 17 , 19 & .........28 (!) g I go with the Coach - just depends how much weight you put on his advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny v Posted February 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2011 Some 28s are just the smaller gauge barrels put on a 20 action .. so weight could increase. ... A 28 on 28 action should be lighter. A Beretta game 28 should also be lighter than a Sporter which has a slightly wider rib. I've used a Beretta 686 28g/ 28 action, for several years with 21 & 24 g loads ... other loads are also available. in 17 , 19 & .........28 (!) g I go with the Coach - just depends how much weight you put on his advice. BASC coach so I put alot of faith in his advice but was somewhat confused when the shop advice was to stick with 20 gauge. V Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaxiDriver Posted February 27, 2011 Report Share Posted February 27, 2011 BASC coach so I put alot of faith in his advice but was somewhat confused when the shop advice was to stick with 20 gauge. V Has the shop seen your son shoot, Have they spent the time with him that the coach has ? I'll bet the answer to both is No have they got a nice 20g in stock to sell him/you ? I'll bet they have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny v Posted February 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2011 Has the shop seen your son shoot, Have they spent the time with him that the coach has ? I'll bet the answer to both is No have they got a nice 20g in stock to sell him/you ? I'll bet they have Strangely enough the answer to both is NO !! Thankyou V Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted February 27, 2011 Report Share Posted February 27, 2011 Nephew had a lincoln Premier Prestige for a lot of years,in 20 bore.Like waving a wand!Can recommend them.But at the same age he also liked the beretta lightweight in 12 bore.Wide open chokes and 21grm Hull Comp X.....gave him loads of confidence on clays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny v Posted February 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2011 Nephew had a lincoln Premier Prestige for a lot of years,in 20 bore.Like waving a wand!Can recommend them.But at the same age he also liked the beretta lightweight in 12 bore.Wide open chokes and 21grm Hull Comp X.....gave him loads of confidence on clays. I have just looked at the Beretta Lightweight and seems very reasonable but my worry is that we are now drifting fron 28 gauge all the way through to 12 gauge.. On a possitive note the Beretta Lightweight is somewhat more expensive but the cost of cartridges is considerably lower and he could always use 21g to prevent serious recoil.???? What do we do ?!?!??!?!?!??!?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seeker Posted February 27, 2011 Report Share Posted February 27, 2011 if you're going that route there are also subsonics in 12 not cheap but effective and could allow him to work up to larger loads? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny v Posted February 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2011 if you're going that route there are also subsonics in 12 not cheap but effective and could allow him to work up to larger loads? Do you think this route is worthy of investigation or should I go all the way back to the 28 gauge options? So Confused now !! Thankyou. V Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted February 27, 2011 Report Share Posted February 27, 2011 (edited) Don't forget he will in2 years have probably out grown what ever you buy now.... There is a very good post on the subject from sage100 Read th thread here: http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/156287-14-year-old-daughter/page__fromsearch__1 Edited February 27, 2011 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Duncan Posted February 27, 2011 Report Share Posted February 27, 2011 Do you think this route is worthy of investigation or should I go all the way back to the 28 gauge options? So Confused now !! Thankyou. V As I am rapidly learning, get him to try some guns - as many as possible! Duncan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny v Posted March 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 Firstly I would like to thank everyone for their help and advice and now look for advice on some chosen guns. We are looking at a Beretta Whitewing 20G with 28 " barells and multichoke and a Browning B425 12 gauge grade 1 with multichoke 30 inch barrels. Both guns are in fair condition. Both guns with cleaning kit and slips for £1500.. What are your thoughts ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 (edited) Firstly I would like to thank everyone for their help and advice and now look for advice on some chosen guns. We are looking at a Beretta Whitewing 20G with 28 " barells and multichoke and a Browning B425 12 gauge grade 1 with multichoke 30 inch barrels. Both guns are in fair condition. Both guns with cleaning kit and slips for £1500.. What are your thoughts ? I would say say steep I was offered a 20 bore whitewing for £1o00 ish 28" M/C £500 buys a lot more than a slip or cleaning kit. Also offered a very little used Miroku 30" 20 bore that had been slightly cut down and professionally refinished and balanced for similar money with it extended back to full size with the original off cut! Again M/C.... unfortunately not local to you. Browning 425 GD1 12Gauge? £1500? way over the top! you could have a semi custom job (adjustable everything recoil reducer etc) built around a light weight action for that sort of money in 12G Edited March 2, 2011 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny v Posted March 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 I have probably not posted very well as I was a little tired. The £1500 is for both guns: The Browning B425 Grade 1 is £800 and the Beretta White Wing is £700. The Beretta is nice and light although the stock is a little long and would ideally need to be cut down for a nice fit. Still expensive ?!? V Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 (edited) No thats a better idea if you need both a 12 and 20 and they both fit.....£800 for the Browning is about right and £700 for the 20 bore is a good buy! Remember that cutting down the stock of the 20 bore will shift the balance forward making the gun unwieldy and more prone to recoil....Try using 20 bore subsonics to minimise recoil Edited March 2, 2011 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Bull Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 I am 12 and i shoot a 12 guage old baikal O/U 28" barrels with a 1/4" choke and just using the bottom barrel with 21gram hull comp x cartridges for clays and I have no problem with recoil or wieght I have also shot a friends browning medalist 12 guage with the same cartridges and again no problem with wiegh or recoil but i prefer the old baikal with the shorter stock hope you find the right gun for him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny v Posted March 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 I am 12 and i shoot a 12 guage old baikal O/U 28" barrels with a 1/4" choke and just using the bottom barrel with 21gram hull comp x cartridges for clays and I have no problem with recoil or wieght I have also shot a friends browning medalist 12 guage with the same cartridges and again no problem with wiegh or recoil but i prefer the old baikal with the shorter stock hope you find the right gun for him Thanks Old Bull and I hope you continue to enjoy your shooting. Your post has given us some food for thought and your mention of finding the weight acceptable has now made us think about looking at some 12g. We did look at the Beretta Ultralights but found them to be a little expensive for him considering the alterations that would be required to make a nice fit for him I believe that the balance of a lightweight gun and light cartridges could be acceptable. Thankyou V Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 There is also a 26" 525 lightweight and Franchi which are very light, unfortunately the UK importer of Franchi GMK seem to completely disregard the Franchi range preferring to market the Lanber which is a far heavier 2.45Kg for a 12 bore O/U or 5.5 lbs http://www.franchi.com/en/catalog/sovrapposti/superleggeri/falconet-pro http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/guns/shotguns/142426/Franchi_Alcione_shotgun_review.html at 7.25 lbs its pretty light and if you can find one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny v Posted March 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2011 I think it's a return journey to the gun shop for another look. We like the Beretta which is light and on HDAVs advice is a reasonable price but maybe he should just handle some 12 bores to see what he thinks. The Franchi is amazingly light for a 12 bore but I think trying to find one at a good price may be somewhat more difficult. I have also got to take into account the cost of having it adjusted for a good fit so i have also arranged for the gunsmith to have a look when we go back to the shop. V Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 3, 2011 Report Share Posted March 3, 2011 SOunds like a plan Vinny remember there are plenty of gunshops http://www.guntrader.co.uk/GunsForSale/061010135504004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urban_winter Posted March 3, 2011 Report Share Posted March 3, 2011 I think the Yildiz 20-bores are very light too. Might be worth a look. http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/guns/143894/Yildiz_20bore_shotgun_review.html U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 3, 2011 Report Share Posted March 3, 2011 (edited) Vinny if this isnt too far away may well be worth a look http://www.guntrader.co.uk/GunsForSale/110221170521000 FC with nice open chokes, so ideal for clays and lighter than a MC, also with it being doveridge your son should be able to try it for real Edited March 3, 2011 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamlad Posted March 14, 2011 Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 My Dad and I have now seriously looked at all of the options and advice given and my Dad has now purchased for me a lovely Beretta Whitewing 20 Gauge Over and Under. I feel very lucky as he has paid for the stock to be adjusted and for me to have another lesson with the gun which shoots beautifully. During the lesson the instructor told me that it is a lovely fit and would struggle to make it any better. Thanks to Mick the gunsmith at Nevilles in Alfreton who even took the time to show me how to clean and oil the gun. I love my gun and practice with it every day at home tracing lines around the ceiling etc. Just wanted to share this with you all. J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 14, 2011 Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 WOW.... Hope you enjoy the gun and get plenty of use from it, I think my dad is expecting me to buy his first gun for him (shooting skipped a generation!) Just remeber this when it's time to choose his retirement home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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