New to shotgunning...how bad is the recoil with an H&R Topper 58?

[rpavich]

I'm taking my new (to me) H&R Topper 58 12 ga out to squirrel hunt this saturday...after reading about them, I'm a little worried about the recoil...both myself and my 15 year old will be shooting it...

I read that using 1oz (or less due to the light gun weight) shells would help...

Can anyone offer advice on what to buy for shells for squirrel hunting while not blowing out our shoulders?

[Doublebass73]

The Remington #6 game loads should be tolerable recoil wise and fine for squirrels. You could always try adding weight to the butt stock if the recoil is too much. I'm a recoil wimp myself, I have a 16 guage Topper 88 and stick with 1 oz. loads. I can handle shooting a box of them no problem. I did shoot a box of 1 1/8 oz. loads when i first got it and my shoulder was sore for about a week.

[rpavich]

Thanks Doublebass...

I'll try your suggestion on the ammo...

Also...as it happens...my friend here at work said today: "...I hear you're looking for a shot gun? Single shot do it for you? i have an old H&R 12 gauge...."

I said..."bring it on!" (then both my son and myself could use it while we squirrel hunt....)

[Spanky]

Get a slip on recoil pad from Wal Mart for it.



Spanky

[rpavich]

Spanky,
Walmart had the Limbsaver pad 1" thick and it was cheaper than Dick's so I bought it...

[joeinwv]

I have a slip on pad for mine and also use a butt stock shell holder - it's handy for reloads, but also adds weight to the stock as well.

I do not mind #4 and smaller loads - 00 shot or slugs will rattle your fillings a little.

[Spanky]

I have my 12 ga. shorty set up as a slug gun with 2.5x20 scope and 20" barrel. It weighs under 5# with the scope and a round in the chamber. Yeah it kicks... I just got some remington reduced recoil slugs and they kick like a 20 ga. so I think I'll use them for deer this year.



Spanky

[rpavich]

JoeinWV,
thanks for the input...
I bought Remington 12 ga 2 3/4" 1oz #6 shells to try and keep recoil to a minimum....should I go to #5? (They only had 1 1/4 oz in #5)

I'm going to go shoot-test it Friday then I'll be in the woods saturday morning looking for them bushy tails...

[Spanky]

I use 7 1/2 shot for squirrels.



Spanky

[rpavich]

I use 7 1/2 shot for squirrels.



Spanky

Spanky,
Interesting...most guys around here have told me (I'm a novice so I don't know) that even 6 was too small....

[tacklebury]

Some people don't deal well with having shot in the meat.  I know that most people that recommend 4 or even 2 want complete shoot through on hits.  I do a pretty good cleaning when I clean squirrel anyway, so I typically pick any that stayed in the meat out.  I've heard that heavi-shot is another good way to keep patterns good and cut down on leave-ins. 

[DEER 24/7]

i would be trying to trade it for a 410 witch makes a great squirrel gun

[cantankerous]

If you run through a couple of boxes shooting clays or maybe doves it will kick the daylights out of you.  If you shoot five or six rounds at game you will never notice it.

[rpavich]

If you run through a couple of boxes shooting clays or maybe doves it will kick the daylights out of you.  If you shoot five or six rounds at game you will never notice it.

Cantankerous,
i agree...I've used it twice so far with a limbsaver recoil pad and 1oz 2 3/4" shells and it's been fine; I'm just squirrel hunting....

[mrussel]

I'm taking my new (to me) H&R Topper 58 12 ga out to squirrel hunt this saturday...after reading about them, I'm a little worried about the recoil...both myself and my 15 year old will be shooting it...

I read that using 1oz (or less due to the light gun weight) shells would help...

Can anyone offer advice on what to buy for shells for squirrel hunting while not blowing out our shoulders?

 GO down to your local Walmart and get a slip on recoil pad. They are Winchester branded Limbsaver recoil pads. Its the exact same one you get in the Limbsaver packaging except they cost 20 dollars instead of 35.

[FLNT4EVR]

ok   ok     now stop all of this        your makeing judgements without even fireing the gun.  I shoot  my 12ga  all the time and never even think about the recoil. I also have a 12ga shortie that I shoot with 00 buck and slugs and recoil is not an issue.  Try the gun first ,   then , make your decision. If your afraid of it, you will never shoot it well.

[rpavich]

ok   ok     now stop all of this        your makeing judgements without even fireing the gun.  I shoot  my 12ga  all the time and never even think about the recoil. I also have a 12ga shortie that I shoot with 00 buck and slugs and recoil is not an issue.  Try the gun first ,   then , make your decision. If your afraid of it, you will never shoot it well.

FLNT$EVR,
I got a limbsaver pad, bought the shells and have hunted several times with this gun....

Although the recoil isn't "nothing" it's very manageable and I've had no problem with it...I do thank everyone who helped...

[mrussel]

ok   ok     now stop all of this        your makeing judgements without even fireing the gun.  I shoot  my 12ga  all the time and never even think about the recoil. I also have a 12ga shortie that I shoot with 00 buck and slugs and recoil is not an issue.  Try the gun first ,   then , make your decision. If your afraid of it, you will never shoot it well.

FLNT$EVR,
I got a limbsaver pad, bought the shells and have hunted several times with this gun....

Although the recoil isn't "nothing" it's very manageable and I've had no problem with it...I do thank everyone who helped...

 I have a Pardner and its recoil is pretty intense without a recoil pad. With a recoil pad its just fine,but why they ever sold something that light,especially chambered for 3" shells (as if normal ones were not bad enough) without a recoil pad,yet a 223 Handi-Rilfe comes with one is beyond me. Then theres the "youth" model. I cant imagine giving that,as is,out of the box to some scrawney 105lb 14 year old. You might as well ask him to go volunteer with the Brady campaign.