Petrol & Powder
11-09-2019, 11:09 AM
This topic came up in another thread and I didn't want to hi-jack that thread. I'm not sure if this is the correct forum but here goes:
When teaching shotgun skills to a new shooter, the choice of the type of shotgun is important. I'm talking about learning to shoot moving targets with a shotgun, not shooting slugs or buckshot at stationary targets.
Verbally conveying the skills needed to shoot a shotgun is one of the most difficult tasks of any teacher. It's like riding a bicycle, you can tell them all of the theory and techniques but cannot inject that knowledge into their brain; they have to put it all together for themselves. They have to actually do it, not just hear you tell them how to do it.
The choice of the gun used in that instruction is a critical choice. Most adult males will benefit from a full sized 12 gauge shotgun that throws a lot of pellets in a large pattern during those initial shotgun sessions. However, the gun must fit the shooter and smaller framed people (typically women and children) will benefit from a shotgun that fits them. That sometimes means a 20 gauge gun with a shorter stock and maybe a gun that is lighter overall. With all else being equal, the 20 gauge will reduce the amount of pellets thrown compared to a 12 gauge but that trade off may be necessary to get a gun that fits the new shooter.
The 20 gauge is my absolute lower limit for teaching new shooters to connect with moving targets. The 28 gauge and the .410 are guns for experts, not beginners ! The reduction in payload with those smaller bores is a serious impediment.
(not to mention the expense of those shells !)
I have introduced dozens of people to shotguns and in full disclosure - I am not the greatest shooter when it comes to shotguns. However, I have had success with new shooters when those new shooters were frustrated with other instructors.
I attribute part of that success to fitting the gun to the shooter.
A shotgun that is too long, too heavy and doesn't fit the shooter will only add to the frustration of a new student. A gun that throws a minimal pattern (like a .410) will also be a source of frustration.
I have found that a standard Remington 870 in 12 gauge will fit an amazing number of adult males. It will not always have the perfect length of pull or fit precisely BUT, it is more often than not, adequate for the average adult male.
For woman and children I have a Beretta AL391 youth 20 gauge that works for most right handed woman & children. The lightweight aluminum receiver, coupled with a short stock and short barrel; seems to fit most smaller framed people.
If you are teaching a new shooter to the world of shotguns, please don't hand them a lightweight 12 gauge with 3 1/2" magnum shells just to beat them up. You will only turn them off to the sport. Likewise, don't give them a .410 with a fraction of the shot compared to a 20 gauge using the same size pellets.
The goal is to get them to consistently break targets and then....once the concept "clicks" with them - build on that knowledge.
When teaching shotgun skills to a new shooter, the choice of the type of shotgun is important. I'm talking about learning to shoot moving targets with a shotgun, not shooting slugs or buckshot at stationary targets.
Verbally conveying the skills needed to shoot a shotgun is one of the most difficult tasks of any teacher. It's like riding a bicycle, you can tell them all of the theory and techniques but cannot inject that knowledge into their brain; they have to put it all together for themselves. They have to actually do it, not just hear you tell them how to do it.
The choice of the gun used in that instruction is a critical choice. Most adult males will benefit from a full sized 12 gauge shotgun that throws a lot of pellets in a large pattern during those initial shotgun sessions. However, the gun must fit the shooter and smaller framed people (typically women and children) will benefit from a shotgun that fits them. That sometimes means a 20 gauge gun with a shorter stock and maybe a gun that is lighter overall. With all else being equal, the 20 gauge will reduce the amount of pellets thrown compared to a 12 gauge but that trade off may be necessary to get a gun that fits the new shooter.
The 20 gauge is my absolute lower limit for teaching new shooters to connect with moving targets. The 28 gauge and the .410 are guns for experts, not beginners ! The reduction in payload with those smaller bores is a serious impediment.
(not to mention the expense of those shells !)
I have introduced dozens of people to shotguns and in full disclosure - I am not the greatest shooter when it comes to shotguns. However, I have had success with new shooters when those new shooters were frustrated with other instructors.
I attribute part of that success to fitting the gun to the shooter.
A shotgun that is too long, too heavy and doesn't fit the shooter will only add to the frustration of a new student. A gun that throws a minimal pattern (like a .410) will also be a source of frustration.
I have found that a standard Remington 870 in 12 gauge will fit an amazing number of adult males. It will not always have the perfect length of pull or fit precisely BUT, it is more often than not, adequate for the average adult male.
For woman and children I have a Beretta AL391 youth 20 gauge that works for most right handed woman & children. The lightweight aluminum receiver, coupled with a short stock and short barrel; seems to fit most smaller framed people.
If you are teaching a new shooter to the world of shotguns, please don't hand them a lightweight 12 gauge with 3 1/2" magnum shells just to beat them up. You will only turn them off to the sport. Likewise, don't give them a .410 with a fraction of the shot compared to a 20 gauge using the same size pellets.
The goal is to get them to consistently break targets and then....once the concept "clicks" with them - build on that knowledge.