First Trap/Skeet shotgun for my 14 yr old daughter

[Sling1]

I am a pistol/rifle shooter and always invite my daughter to the range/club/friends farm with me when I shoot. She rarely goes and is mostly not interested. She recently told me she watched some videos on skeet shooting and would like to try it, so naturally I am all over it. I know of places, have friends with throwers that shoot regularly so I got that covered.


I need to know what shotgun to get her and what gauge. Should I load some "light" shells?<-can do! I really want her to have fun.

She is 5'1" and weighs 110. She is athletic thanks to gymnastics and dance but I don't think she would enjoy a day of 3.5 magnums.

 

[mopar92]

20 gauge youth model.
Pump is cheaper but semi will absorb some recoil.

I prefer Mossberg pumps.

 

[JMintzer]

Take her to PG and rent a gun ($10). Try a 12 gauge semi-auto...

The semi's will certainly kick less and she might enjoy shooting it more...

The 7/8 or 1 oz loads will also be easier on the shoulder...


Jamie

 

[JHE1956]

I would go with a reliable semi auto in 20 gauge. Lighter and less felt recoil than an over-under. For skeet use the lightest loads that will cycle the action reliably and 1 1/8 oz loads.

I started shooting skeet with a Remington 11-87 (rental gun at the skeet club) then moved to a Beretta A302. Never had a problem with either.

 

[Sling1]

Rental is an awesome idea but I am concerned about her confidence with other people all around. I have plenty of friends with all kinds of shotguns so I can get a hold of some semis, singe, and pump 12 gauges. I think the 20 gauge is a good idea though. Will 20 gauge have a good enough spread for her to get some hits? I would really like some instant gratification to pull her in.

 

[rseymorejr]

Dicks Sporting Goods has a youth model Mossberg 500 20 ga. on sale for $239 pretty good deal. If she can get a chance to try out several different guns and pick the one that fits her best, that would be ideal.

 

[Sling1]

She may benefit from instruction from a trainer. I know of 2 or 3 of her friends I may be able to get to join the fun. All have been taught firearms safety. I would even consider paying for it myself.

 

[roger8918]

PM sent

 

[STeveZ]

I made the same choice recently and bought a Mossberg SA-20 Bantam. It is light weight yet the gas system tames recoil. I am pleased with the fit, finish and feel of the shotgun. My only problem is it's reluctance to cycle lighter loads. Given a do-over I might select the slightly more expensive Weatherby SA-08 that comes with a second gas piston to help cycle lighter loads. Grabagun.com had both shotguns when I was comparing.

 

[covertpanda]

I am a pistol/rifle shooter and always invite my daughter to the range/club/friends farm with me when I shoot. She rarely goes and is mostly not interested. She recently told me she watched some videos on skeet shooting and would like to try it, so naturally I am all over it. I know of places, have friends with throwers that shoot regularly so I got that covered.


I need to know what shotgun to get her and what gauge. Should I load some "light" shells?<-can do! I really want her to have fun.

She is 5'1" and weighs 110. She is athletic thanks to gymnastics and dance but I don't think she would enjoy a day of 3.5 magnums.

I just posted on your dupe. A 12ga semi will be more versatile and will work to reduce the recoil. It will also eliminate any cycling issues you may have with a 20 SA. For the money a CZ 712 field, used 1100, or charles daly SA would all work and not break the bank.

 

[fabsroman]

I have a Beretta 391 youth model 20 gauge that my sisters have used for sporting clays. They are 5'5" and 100 pounds and 5'7" and 130 pounds and the gun works well for them and they can break clays with it. I can kill doves with my full size 20 gauge Beretta 391 out to 50 yards. Right now, I am trying to figure out how I can loan you a shotgun of mine and feel comfortable doing so without me being present because I am really anal about how I treat my guns.

Instant gratification is tough with clay shooting, but the easiest way to try and make that happen is to have her shoot at clays going straight away from her, or inbound clays that are coming toward her. If you have a place to shoot clays and a thrower, this is easy to set up. Hand throwers are a little tougher until you get the hang of them.

Edit to add: http://www.gunauction.com/buy/11191...emi-auto/beretta-391-ureka-20-gauge-youth-gun

There are other youth guns out there too. However, I would stick with a semi-auto no matter what. You might also be able to buy a full size 20 gauge and then purchase a youth stock for it. Granted, the longer barrel might throw off the balance of the gun.

 

[fabsroman]

I would go with a reliable semi auto in 20 gauge. Lighter and less felt recoil than an over-under. For skeet use the lightest loads that will cycle the action reliably and 1 1/8 oz loads.

I started shooting skeet with a Remington 11-87 (rental gun at the skeet club) then moved to a Beretta A302. Never had a problem with either.

20 gauge does not come in a 1 1/8 oz. clays loads. I think 7/8 oz loads in 20 gauge would be just fine. Heck, I was using 7/8 oz loads out of my 12 gauge o/u for skeet. Had a slight problem on doubles though because it would not reset the trigger for the second shot. Way off on a tangent now. lol

 

[psycosteve]

I use a Mossberg 500 in 12 ga and I seem to be able to bust some clays shooting trap as a relative noob to the sport . The secret is that you are going to teach her stance, how to lead her shots and to know at what part of the bunker you need to be aiming at to have the best chance at getting a good shot. I know that Mt. Airy IWLA does an open trap that is very informal on Thursday nights for 5 dollars a round . Most of the time they do not have the second bunker open so if you ask you might be able to keep her on position 3 and have her get used to her gun and everything else before you let her loose on her own. Loch Raven is awesome to shoot at if your in the area . I have not made it out to Tuscarora yet even though I live about 10 minutes away and there open day is on Wednesdays. At least with her not being a pistol shooter she will not have to unlearn the keep the weapon at low ready .

 

[circleshooter]

Loch Raven Skeet and Trap also rents guns for $10. They have 12 & 20 gauge as well as youth models. Seems silly to buy a gun for her to try clay shooting.

 

[Sling1]

Right now, I am trying to figure out how I can loan you a shotgun of mine and feel comfortable doing so without me being present because I am really anal about how I treat my guns.

Thanks for the offer, but I don't thihk I would be comfortable borrowing a firearm from somebody I don't know. I have the rental option and a couple of friends I am pinging on loaner shotguns.

Thanks for the information!

 

[fabsroman]

Loch Raven Skeet and Trap also rents guns for $10. They have 12 & 20 gauge as well as youth models. Seems silly to buy a gun for her to try clay shooting.

This might be the best option for finding a gun that will fit her.

OP never said whether he will be shooting in a private field or going to a club setting though.

 

[CrawfishStu]

If there is a place to rent, that sounds like a good way to get into it.....Unless you don't mind having a 2-300$ gun in the safe that you don't intend to use if she doesn't like it.

 

[Sling1]

I haven't decided whether to take her to the farm or a club yet. I will talk to her and guage her comfort level.

 

[rob]

I am a relative noobie to trap myself. However, my 15 yr old son just started shooting trap two weeks ago (broke 17 on his last round the first day!). He uses my 12 ga Reminton 870 express (pump). He has shot the 3 grain Federal target loads from walmart, 4 rounds the first week and 3 rounds the next. He is a black belt and is used to being hit. His shoulder was bruised after the first week and very sore during and after the second.

I would definitely recommend a 20 ga semi auto rental and the lightest trap load you can find to minimize any discomfort. You want her to have fun and want to come back for more. The less discomfort she has, the more likely she will want to come back again.

Just my $.02,

Rob

 

[Redcobra]

Take her to PG and rent a gun ($10). Try a 12 gauge semi-auto...

The semi's will certainly kick less and she might enjoy shooting it more...

The 7/8 or 1 oz loads will also be easier on the shoulder...


Jamie

Or go to Loch Raven and rent a 20g youth semiauto.
Even take a youth instruction course.
http://www.lochravenskeettrap.com/youthcamp.php