If this is going to be her first time shooting, then IMHO you've really picked the wrong gun to start her with. Do any of your friends or family have a 22lr rifle you can borrow for her?

 

Remington sells some managed recoil target loads

http://www.remington.com/products/a...roducts/ammunition/shotshells/target-loads/managed-recoil-sts-target-loads.aspx

My wife sounds a little like your fiance, shes pretty gun shy herself when it comes to new guns. She handled full target loads out of my 870 just fine though, especially after she started busting clays with it and got distracted from the recoil. While not the ideal setup for her, it got her into it. Shes wanting a 20 gauge youth model herself now haha

I agree with above though, if shes never ever shot before starting with a 12 gauge might scare her off a bit. I'd get her used to something with a lot less recoil at first.

 

Or, if you want to specifically do shotgunning, you could look around for a 410 bore for her to start with. Not great for trapshooting, but at least it won't thump her on the shoulder. I've fired "light" loads in 20 gauge, and they still have a pretty good kick. Right around the level of my 30-30. They don't make you sore or anything, but they are loud, and there is a solid kick. If your ladyfriend seems like she might be recoil shy, or you just want to ease her into shooting, picking something other than a 12gauge is a good idea.

 

If this is going to be her first time shooting, then IMHO you've really picked the wrong gun to start her with. Do any of your friends or family have a 22lr rifle you can borrow for her?

Sorry, I should have specified better. This will be her first outing with a shotgun. She has gone shooting with me multiple times. Most often using my 1911 (.45acp) so I imagine she'll at least be used to the extremely loud noise associated with shooting (which is also another big factor in scaring off new shooters)

 

Sorry, I should have specified better. She has gone shooting with me multiple times. Most often using my 1911 (.45acp). This will be her first outing with a shotgun

Well, if she's not afraid of 45acp in a handgun, she can probably deal with light loads in a 12gauge, especially if it's an autoloader. I don't think you said what type of action you had in mind. I would keep her away from the slugs for awhile, though!

 

Well, if she's not afraid of 45acp in a handgun, she can probably deal with light loads in a 12gauge, especially if it's an autoloader. I don't think you said what type of action you had in mind. I would keep her away from the slugs for awhile, though!

It's an 870 Express Magnum so she won't have the benefit of the gas system to cut back some of the recoil.

Do the reduced recoil loads only come in birdshot? If they were available in buckshot I could at least make her mentally more at ease by loading the gun with those and putting it by her side of the bed until she decides on her own dedicated personal defense gun (probably glock 17 or something)

 

If you're going to start her on the shotgun, I'd start her on the 7/8th oz light target loads that run at about 1100-1200fps. They are not too bad. Dick's usually has them. The low recoil buck runs about the same speed, just a heavier load, 1oz. But, the best thing you can do, unless you're both have really long arms is to shorten the stock. Many women start at a disadvantage with the shotty because they are off balance, leaning back trying to hold the gun.
I see you're in Charlotte. Maybe we can chat about a get together.

 

Think about something like a limbsaver recoil pad as well. I added one to my Beretta 390 (gorgeous gun, but came with a terrible plastic recoil pad) and it made a HUGE difference.

Not just because it adsorbed the shock (which it certainly did), but it also made the stock "stickier" and less likely to slip off my shoulder...

 

Do the reduced recoil loads only come in birdshot? If they were available in buckshot I could at least make her mentally more at ease by loading the gun with those and putting it by her side of the bed until she decides on her own dedicated personal defense gun (probably glock 17 or something)

I've only ever seen them in birdshot, but I've never really looked. I would say, though, that if she gets some practice shooting a reduced recoil load at the range, she'll be able to get the feel for how the gun works, and become comfortable firing it and loading it and so on. Then, you can stock it with full house buckshot loads for her home defense weapon, even if she's never fired them before. If she ever has to use the gun to fight off a home invader, the recoil will not bother her at all.

 

If you're going to start her on the shotgun, I'd start her on the 7/8th oz light target loads that run at about 1100-1200fps. They are not too bad. Dick's usually has them. The low recoil buck runs about the same speed, just a heavier load, 1oz. But, the best thing you can do, unless you're both have really long arms is to shorten the stock. Many women start at a disadvantage with the shotty because they are off balance, leaning back trying to hold the gun.
I see you're in Charlotte. Maybe we can chat about a get together.

That's great advice, I'll stop by Dick's after work and see what they have now that I have an idea of what to look for. I hate standing in front of all the ammo trying to think when sales people keep bugging you with questions (especially when it's behind the counter! :90: )

I'd love to meet up and shoot sometime. I'm going to start doing some trap shooting regularly as soon as my 870 arrives. Also I have interest in pistol matches once I get a few extra magazines.

 

Look for any light target load 7 1/2 shot or above in a 2 3/4" shell.
Stay away from game loads, buck shot or slugs if you want low recoil.

If your gun has a hard butt stock invest in a decent soft recoil pad. They sell slip on pads, custom fit pads or replacement stocks with the pad built in. I bought a used 870 synthetic stock set from the BST forums here for $25 that makes my 12 ga kick feel like a 410.

 

Form, form form!!!!!!!! Just ask my wife. She tried to shoot the shotgun "her way." And she was not having much luck. Once I got her into a more aggressive stance, lean forward and pull the stock into the shoulder, she started having more fun. And the stance helps absorb some of the recoil. Are you going to be able to work with her before the clays start flying? Most of her range time is with bird shot. General low brass half cases from Walmart. This is the house buckshot and she handles it well. We also put on a Knoxx adjustable stock so it fits her much better. That's not good for trap though.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/41...sport-law-enforcement-ammunition-12-gauge-2-3-4-4-buckshot-27-pellets-box-of-10

 

Are you going to be able to work with her before the clays start flying? Most of her range time is with bird shot. General low brass half cases from Walmart

I suppose I could work her into it, but I think she's ready to start "doing stuff" with guns besides punching holes in paper. As I'm sure any man can attest, making sure your significant other has (and keeps) a passion for guns is a VERY delicate balance. If she gets scared, she'll stop. If she gets hurt, she'll stop. If she gets bored, she'll stop. If she gets mad, she'll stop (and maybe hinder my passion for buying them down the road!).

She grew up in a HUGE anti-gun family and used to literally shake when we visited my parents because she just knew guns were "in the house." We've come a long way from that but I still have to be careful and play it all right

 

Cut the stock to fit her or borrow one from someone that has the correct pull, otherwise chalk up another battered beginner. Better too short than too long when picking, most women don't have the strength to hold up a shotgun for long without it becoming a burden, also use all the hearing protection you can get.

 

IAs I'm sure any man can attest, making sure your significant other has (and keeps) a passion for guns is a VERY delicate balance.

My wife definitely does not have a passion for guns. That doesn't cause us any troubles. I'd love it if she came shooting or hunting with me and the kids, but it's just not her thing. She respects me and my interests, as I respect her and hers. I say this just as an encouragement not to worry too much about whether your ladyfriend gets excited about shooting. As long as she respects you (and you respect her), it's no handicap to the relationship.

 

Fiocchi makes a 7/8 oz low recoil shell that's pretty tame.

http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/produ...e-fiocchi-low-recoil-target-2-34-78oz-7-12-shot/cName/12-gauge-skeet-trap-loads

 

Most manufacturers are making low recoil buckshot, slugs, and birdshot these days. Those little centurion shorty rounds are great too in coach or o/u. They don't chamber well without practice in a pump though. I also recommend a recoil pad of some sort. My girlfriend won't do "girly guns" as she calls them; no pink, no youth stuff, no smaller caliber than 9mm, 12ga for a shotty. I bought her a 410 coachgun and she smirked and handed it back to me. So, her 12ga 870 is stock length with a recoil pad like mine. She's 5'9" so stock length isn't an issue for her. Depends on your lady's reach.

 

Low recoil is a must.... There are three ways to tame recoil, and there is an order to importance 1. Gun Fit, 2. low recoil shells, 3. increase weight of gun.

If you are taking her to a shooting range to shoot trap beware of all the good intentioned persons who will try to give assistance/advice. If she likes the game seek instruction early. A good instructor will save you alot of money in the long run.

 

Federal Low-Recoil 00 Buck 2 3/4"

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/58...ok-low-recoil-ammunition-12-gauge-2-3-4-buffered-00-buckshot-9-pellets-box-of-5

 

I suppose I could work her into it, but I think she's ready to start "doing stuff" with guns besides punching holes in paper.

Even if it's just a couple shots, try to get her form right. Nearly all new shooters lean WAAY back to compensate. The problem is it increases the felt recoil because it rocks you back on your heels. If you lean up, your body takes some of the recoil and your follow ups are faster. It does not need to be an all day affair. I would stand behind my wife at the range and push her shoulders forward till her stance was right. She initially got annoyed until she realized she was shooting better. A couple shots to find that sweet spot and then let her loose on the clays if possible.

 

Lots of good info above. Let me summarize.

FIT:

If your wife is small framed look at having the stock shortened to fit HER. You can shoot it with a shorter stock than you need and do fine. She will get beat up by a stock that's too long for her.

FORM:

People new to shotgunning do exactly like some of the above posters say. They lean back away from the gun thinking it's gonna hurt. Thus it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. It does hurt when there's no slack left in your stance to absorb some recoil.

RECOIL PAD!!!:

Limbsaver sells a crap-ton of these annually because they work!

AMMO:

7/8 oz low brass birdshot to start. Work up slowly to heavier loads. There are some very good low-recoil buckshot loads from Federal (linked above) using their "Flite Control" wad. Good ammo............. Let her shoot a case or two of light birdshot first though!

 

I stopped by Dick's during my lunch break and picked up 100 rounds of basic Winchester Target ammo, 5 rounds of remington 3'' 00buck, and Winchester AA Low Recoil loads. I was looking specifically for WinLite rounds because reviews on YouTube said they are the best of the bunch. Unfortunately, they didn't have an exact match so hopefully these AA rounds are close.

 

I stopped by Dick's during my lunch break and picked up 100 rounds of basic Winchester Target ammo, 5 rounds of remington 3'' 00buck, and Winchester AA Low Recoil loads. I was looking specifically for WinLite rounds because reviews on YouTube said they are the best of the bunch. Unfortunately, they didn't have an exact match so hopefully these AA rounds are close.

That's the one you need. I know alot of Cowboy Action shooters that use those. I use to usse them too until I started shooting BP and loading my own.

C.S.

 

Yeah, that should work. 26grams are just under 1oz. Just don't put her behind those 3" 00buck. BTW, I don't think you need 3". The 2 3/4 low recoil buck work just fine in the usual range of shotguns and the low recoil allows for quicker followups. But the 3" can be fun, if that's your idea of fun.

 

3 inch buck with a pistol grip will make mall ninja's sell their shotguns..... Just sayin'