Author Topic: Pardner w/screw choke vs TDC (Read 1094 times)

Cookiemann · « **on:** October 01, 2009, 11:34:17 PM »

Thinkin' of a shotgun for my grandson for Christmas. He turns 13 today. Big kid, so the LOP on an adult model fits him well. He's never done any shooting, yet, and I am trying to decide which model for him. My choices have been narrowed to 2 models, both in 20ga. The TDC or the Pardner with screw chokes. I have never shot anything with a vent-rib, so I don't really know how it changes the sight picture and all that. I doubt that he will do a lot of hunting, but he really wants to learn to shoot, so it will probably be more at the range. I have questions.

1. How much difference will the barrel length make...between 28" and 26".
2. How big a deal is it to have the vent-rib.

Thanks for any suggestions or input.

cookiemann

Walley · « **Reply #1 on:** October 02, 2009, 06:58:27 AM »

I would suggest the Pardner with the screw in chokes with the 26-inch barrel. The shorter barrel will be easer for him to swing than the longer one. As far as the raised rib goes I have used both for so long I really can’t say what difference it makes except in large bore Trap.

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #2 on:** October 02, 2009, 10:01:55 AM »

The rib might make it easier for him to line up the rear of the barrel with the bead. It also gives a good reference for getting his face down on the stock. Be sure to start him out with light loads - even a 20 ga. can give a good wallop, especially in a light gun like the H&R.

-WH-

sachel.45 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 02, 2009, 01:30:53 PM »

i think id go TDC but i like vent rib shotguns

spruce · « **Reply #4 on:** October 02, 2009, 02:53:54 PM »

I think the difference between a 26" and 28" barrel in a break-open action is negligible - the 28" is still shorter than a pump or semi with a 26" barrel.

Screw in chokes would be nice if he was planning to hunt a variety of game. If, as you say, he is not likely to hunt much then I would probably lean towards the vent rib barrel because if he gets into the target games then any gun he upgrades to will definitely have a vent rib.

BTW if you want a VERY light recoil practice round Fiocchi (I'm pretty sure that was the brand!) makes a reduced recoil load in 20 gauge. I bought a box from Midway a couple years ago just to try them and they're about like shooting a .410 in a chamber adapter in a 20 gauge weight gun.

Either way this will be a Christmas he will never forget!

spikehorn · « **Reply #5 on:** October 02, 2009, 04:09:20 PM »

Go with the TDC with the vent rib like they said it'll get his cheek down and if he ever decides to bird hunt he'll be glad he's got the vent rib. also check and see if your local gun club is involved with the SCTP (schoolastic clay target program) My son got involved with this when he was twelve and that year went to the nationals in Vandalia Ohio and his novice squad placed eleventh in the world.It's great experience.

Walley · « **Reply #6 on:** October 02, 2009, 05:53:52 PM »

I have started two sons, five grandsons and two great grandsons with plain barrel 20 gauges with 26 inch barrels with light loads and modified chokes. When they became proficient with them I moved them not up but down to the 410 until they were able to break at least 21 out of 25 hand thrown clays before introducing them to guns with raised ribs and doubles. One son, two grand sons and both great grandsons now shoot competition clays in both small-bore skeet and large bore trap. I feel that a raised rib is a crutch for the shooter and until one can become proficient without them they are only fooling themselves. I competed in both small bore and large bore competition clays for over 35 years and hope I know what I am talking about. After 60 years of bird hunting I really don’t see any advantage a raised rib gives a hunter.

Cookiemann · « **Reply #7 on:** October 04, 2009, 11:28:30 PM »

Thanks, everyone, for all the fine input. The decision has not been made yet, but I was leaning toward the plain barrel with screw chokes, then changing out the stocks for wood. I know its not much of a weight gain, but I like the look of wood stocks and I thought the extra weight might help with recoil. Thanks

cookie

WNY_Whitetailer · « **Reply #8 on:** October 05, 2009, 05:14:16 AM »

Cookieman...Are you dead set on a shotgun? Does he already have a 22lr rifle? If it is going to be used mostly at the range, at 22lr rifle might be a little more fun to shoot than a shotgun. But, I don't know your grandson so I might be wrong...

Kal52 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2009, 12:57:32 PM »

I think that the vent rib is easier to get the bead lined up on these shotguns, I have a few of them, and the bead seems so low it sometime gets me all muffed up, I dont have a TDC (still waiting for them to get in stock), but if the feel is remotely close to the trap gun, its going to be very very nice.

Good luck, either one would be a fine gift!

Dave

oldfart · « **Reply #10 on:** October 06, 2009, 03:49:06 PM »

i have the 12gauge pardner with screw in choke and love it. but the syn. stock and forearm do make it kick a little more than if it had wood on it. the recoil pad helps tho, and i used mine this spring to get my first turkey. i didn't even use a turkey load (kick bad i figure) i used a federal hi power #6 shot, at 40 yds. the turkey didn't know it was'nt a turkey load. the gun is great you can't go wrong with it.

Walley · « **Reply #11 on:** October 08, 2009, 07:49:58 AM »

To reduce the recoil of your Pardner with the synthetic stock you might try what I did to a break action muzzleloader with a hollow stock. I first inserted a piece of PVC pipe over the nut large enough to use a ratchet extension. I then fill the remainder of the stock with spray expanding foam insulation. As I filled the stock I inserted about ten ounces of lead round balls. The gun was a bit muzzle heavy so the added weight improved the balance. If you add weight to the stock you might want to add some weight to the for end to correct the balance. Now, even with magnum loads, the kick on my gun is about the same as a 410 with 2 ½ inch target loads.

Markus · « **Reply #12 on:** October 09, 2009, 01:18:53 AM »

Another thing to think about with a 13 year old boy is the Cool factor. Does he like classic good looks like the TDC or the utilitarian look of synthetic stocks. If he takes to it like most around here his collection will soon expand to both anyway!

spikehorn · « **Reply #13 on:** October 09, 2009, 06:58:23 AM »

Markus now you got me thinking back about my first shotgun. It was a Savage 22lr 20ga OU with a peep sight. I loved that gun and wish I still had it. Sold it and bought a Mossberg bolt action 12ga with the C-lect choke. Man those two guns took a lot of rabbit and squirrel.

myarmor · « **Reply #14 on:** October 11, 2009, 06:35:20 AM »

I started out with an 870 so I am partial to the Ribbed barrels and I had a harder time getting use to a smooth barrel, though if I am not mistaken the H&R Ribbed barrels are plastic from the last I heard..not sure I would care for that so much $:-\$
And as stated the Ribbed barrel is very nice to point and follow the sight path

Thought about a Pardner Pump for him CM?

-Aaron

spikehorn · « **Reply #15 on:** October 11, 2009, 10:18:33 AM »

The rib on my 20ga TDC is definitely not plastic.

myarmor · « **Reply #16 on:** October 11, 2009, 10:43:48 AM »

Well that is good to hear.
Must have been the earlier models.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #17 on:** October 11, 2009, 10:54:15 AM »

My TDC has a nice steel rib, made a great place to mount Turkey sights!!

Tim

spikehorn · « **Reply #18 on:** October 11, 2009, 12:44:38 PM »

Quote from: myarmor on October 11, 2009, 10:43:48 AM

Well that is good to hear.
Must have been the earlier models.

Mines an HV so 2005

Walley · « **Reply #19 on:** October 11, 2009, 01:25:47 PM »

Tim:

Would you please explain to one and all how showing how you mounted turkey sights on a raised rib shotgun will help Cookiemen decide what gun to start his 13-year-old grandson out with.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #20 on:** October 11, 2009, 03:16:48 PM »

My reply was in reference to Aaron's statement about the rib being plastic which it isn't.

Tim

Walley · « **Reply #21 on:** October 11, 2009, 03:49:03 PM »

Tim:

It appears to me that we, myself included, have strayed from Cookiemann’s original questions. I feel that he was seeking advise from those of us who have actually seen the expression on the face of a young person that we have started out the first time they broke a clay. I know that he looks forward to the time that his grandson says “Gramps can we go out the range again soon”. Yesterday, the opening of the pheasant season up here, I was lucky enough to see the joy on the face of my 14-year-old granddaughter that I got started last spring when she downed her first cock. That is what Cookie Mann is looking for not all the extemporaneous junk we come up with.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #22 on:** October 11, 2009, 03:56:54 PM »

I don't imagine it's much of a concern to Rich right now with the death of a close family member this past week, I'd give him some time for his return to this topic, in the mean time our prayers should be with him and his family.

Tim

Cookiemann · « **Reply #23 on:** October 15, 2009, 04:23:31 PM »

Thanks, Tim, and to all the rest of my GBO family. Those prayers were heard and the support you and so many others called for has been my strength. Thank You.

Thank you also, for all the input on my question. I never thought of the KOOL FACTOR and that's important, when you're 13.

cookie

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #24 on:** October 16, 2009, 01:03:53 PM »

I think it's a personal thing as to which fits the shooter best. I have always shot low with plain barreled H&R shotguns. My vent rib 12 ga is spot on.