Author Topic: Pump With The Least Amout Of Recoil? (Read 618 times)

PawDaddy · « **on:** March 11, 2004, 07:36:40 AM »

I am thinking about a new shotgun and would like to get something with the least amount of felt recoil. I am looking for a 20 guage, which does not have stiff recoil to begin with, but I know some guns, especially with 3" loads have more recoil than others.

Which has the least amount of recoil?

Bob_K · « **Reply #1 on:** March 11, 2004, 03:47:52 PM »

Recoil is a function of the weight, velocity, and powder charge of your shell, and the weight of the pump shotgun. All eight lb pump shotguns will feel about the same. The pump shotgun with the least felt recoil will be the heaviest one you can find. Felt recoil in an autoloader will feel less that the recoil in the same weight pump shotgun because the recoil impulse is spread over the action cycle time. Also, reducing the shot weight and/or velocity of your shotgun shell payload will reduce felt recoil. If all else fails, try adding a mercury recoil suppressor to your pump shotgun's butt stock. If nothing else, it adds weight to the shotgun. The mercury sloshing about does have some effect on spreading the recoil impulse over more time.

dukkillr · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2004, 03:23:55 AM »

I agree with PawDaddy said about weight, but I would add that shorter guns, even compared with guns of identical weight, tend to "Jump" more... I've got an 870 turkey gun with a short barrel that smacks you in the cheek ever time you shoot it, even with low recoil 8s. It also seems to magnify the problem when shooting a synthetic stock, although that may be more bias than science. In short, if you're very sensitive to recoil, don't get a short barrel, even if the gun is heavy.

Bob_K · « **Reply #3 on:** March 14, 2004, 04:07:29 AM »

Dukkillr...

Your recoil problem may be that the stock does not fit you rather than the short barrel. If the stock fits and your face is firmly on the stock, both would recoil together and there is no "smack." If your face is just a bit off the stock, the stock closes that gap in a hurry during recoil. Smack! You might try one of the self adhesive neoprene pads that raises the comb of the stock to see if your turkey shooting is a bit more enjoyable. Porting the barrel may change the recoil behavior as well.

dukkillr · « **Reply #4 on:** March 14, 2004, 01:29:49 PM »

yeah, it's not the recoil per se that bothers me, it's the "jump". It seems to me that most shotguns with short barrels are back weighted, when you combine that with their already low overall weight the recoil seems to "jump" rather than "push"... i understand what you are saying about getting my cheek down, and there's no question that you are right, it hurts when that happens, but that's not what i'm talking about. I also think it's worth mentioning that i don't feel a thing when i'm bearing down on big tom, it's just that the recoil makes that gun unpleasant to shoot more often, say like dove hunting or skeet.

daddywpb · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2004, 11:42:10 PM »

I think recoil is a personal thing. What is punishing to one person may be controllable to another. I just bought my 13 year old daughter a 20 gauge Rem 870 Express youth gun, and even with the 3" turkey loads, she isn't having a problem with the recoil. Now if we can just get a turkey to cooperate....