New to shotguns - and scared

[jhilbun]

I have owned and shot nearly every caliber of handgun available, however, I have NEVER shot a shot gun and, quite frankly it scares the dickens out of me.
I saw my 10 yr old brother shoot a 10ga. double barrel and it knock him to the ground so I have been avoiding the guns.
I want a HD shotgun of 18" or so but I am concerned about the recoil. I am 60 years old and don't need a fractured shouldered.
Seems Mossberg is the way to go but how do I get over this fear? Is there a buck shot with less recoil that I should start with? Is there something I should do to the gun to reduce recoil? Does wood or synthetic reduce recoil?
A novice needing help!

 

[TSU45]

Seems Mossberg is the way to go but how do I get over this fear?

Just go to wherever it is you buy ammo and get some 2.75in shells in 7.5/8/9 shot with the lowest DRAM EQ number on the box. Or the lowest OUNCE load if it doesn't list DRAM EQ.

You might come out of it ok. Then again you might not.

 

[Texas1911]

12-Ga. isn't bad and won't fracture your shoulder. Just be sure to get a lighter load when you buy shells.

 

[nalioth]

It's more than the load you're pushing. .

Getting with an experienced shotgunner for some tips in stance and positioning will go a long way.

I mean, the police academies can train 100 pound women to shoot full out police shotties, and most of 'em do pretty well at it.

 

[jhilbun]

Thanks for advise

I did fail to mention that I am wanting a 12 ga. I guess I should go to my gun range and rent one and see if I can talk one of the guys to give me some basics, but I will start with the lighter loads.

 

[Texas1911]

I did fail to mention that I am wanting a 12 ga. I guess I should go to my gun range and rent one and see if I can talk one of the guys to give me some basics, but I will start with the lighter loads.

If you go to Red's then you can only shoot slugs. Slugs are the most recoil you will get out of a shotgun (for the most part). They have a Mossberg 500 at the South store, where I work.

 

[Texas1911]

I mean, the police academies can train 100 pound women to shoot full out police shotties, and most of 'em do pretty well at it.

The police shoot reduced recoil loads, or at least the ones here do.

 

[robocop10mm]

Proper hold and stance will all but negate the recoil of a 12 ga. put the butt high in the shoulder, a little should extend above the shoulder. Firm cheek weld is a must. Your cheek should be pressed firmly against the stock. This way the gun and your head move together. If not the gun will jump up and bruise your cheek (if using heavy loads). Put your right foot (assuming you are right handed) slightly behind the left. The toes of your right foot should be about even with the arch of you left foot. Square your shoulders to the target and arch your back forward (flex the abs). Your body will roll upward with the recoil and back naturally.

The big key is to be "one with the gun" so you do not get hit by the gun.

We use reduced recoil buckshot (Remington or Federal) primarily because of the patterning. Traditional "full power" buckshot will spread at a rate of about 1"/yard. The reduced recoil buck spreads at a rate less than half that. Very tight patterns so BG gets all of it and little risk of strays hitting innocent bystanders.

 

[lonewolf23c]

I have owned and shot nearly every caliber of handgun available, however, I have NEVER shot a shot gun and, quite frankly it scares the dickens out of me.
I saw my 10 yr old brother shoot a 10ga. double barrel and it knock him to the ground so I have been avoiding the guns.
I want a HD shotgun of 18" or so but I am concerned about the recoil. I am 60 years old and don't need a fractured shouldered.
Seems Mossberg is the way to go but how do I get over this fear? Is there a buck shot with less recoil that I should start with? Is there something I should do to the gun to reduce recoil? Does wood or synthetic reduce recoil?
A novice needing help!

Must have pulled both triggers at the same time. Shotguns aren't that bad. They're great for Skeet shooting which is the only thing I use one for, other than breeching doors in the military with the Mossberg 500.

 

[JKTex]

I got my first 12 gauge when I was 11 or 12. I never had a problem shooting it.

You just need to shoot one to get the mental image out of your mind. I can't say it's any different that a 30-30 for example, but then again, I got my first 30-30 at about 13 and at that age, you don't pay that close attention to details like recoil, just hitting what you aim at.

I've got a Mossberg with an 18" barrel I inherited year ago. I recently replaced the wood stock and forend with a Knoxx SpecOps stock and forend which has recoil control funtionality. I still have yet to shoot it but 'm hoping maybe this week I'll be able to. I can work the stock and see the "shock absorber" type compression so it's got to be eally easy on the shoulder. People swear by them.