hammer67
Active Member
My son is in scouts and I am the multi-discipline instructor and RSO. Took them shotgun shooting last weekend. I took my winchester 1400 SA 12/28", and borrowed a friends Remington 11-48 SA 12/28" with 13" LOP, and Remington 870 youth pump 20/21". had X-light target loads (1oz 1180fps for 12, and 7/8oz 980fps for 20). The 11-48 with cut down LOP worked well, but little hard for some to handle weight. The 870 great weight and short and some liked it better. I can't really tell difference in felt recoil. I was thinking of getting something for my son, that would be good for the scout outings. Here are some thoughts:
Weatherby SA-08, either youth with 13" LOP and 20/24" or 12/26" and buy youth stock to fit, put adult back on later.
Remington 11-87, either compact with 20/21" and adj LOP, or a 12 or 20 with 26" barrel and then buy compact stock for now.
TR Imports youth 20/24" with 13" LOP (but have to buy at Dick's!) Turkish made I believe, as is weatherby.
I am concerned about a 21" barrel in 11-87 compact. 24" in Weatherby better, but if can handle 26" I think get better long term use out of it?
Same thought on 12 vs 20. I used online calculator and the difference in recoil energy between very light loads -low recoil 26gram, 980fps in 12, and 7/8oz 980fps in 20, taking into account rough weights of guns, is negligible. So think get more long term use out of a 12, being able to go to up in loads in future.
problem is no-one has these guns to test. no sa-08 or 11-87 at dicks or bass pro. Some aren't even available and require me to purchase the youth/compact stock and add to adult gun. Any thoughts on what I wrote and does anyone know where I can see, possibly shoot some guns? I am member Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore. Maybe one of the clubs has shoot where I could drop in just to have son try some out.
Weatherby SA-08, either youth with 13" LOP and 20/24" or 12/26" and buy youth stock to fit, put adult back on later.
Remington 11-87, either compact with 20/21" and adj LOP, or a 12 or 20 with 26" barrel and then buy compact stock for now.
TR Imports youth 20/24" with 13" LOP (but have to buy at Dick's!) Turkish made I believe, as is weatherby.
I am concerned about a 21" barrel in 11-87 compact. 24" in Weatherby better, but if can handle 26" I think get better long term use out of it?
Same thought on 12 vs 20. I used online calculator and the difference in recoil energy between very light loads -low recoil 26gram, 980fps in 12, and 7/8oz 980fps in 20, taking into account rough weights of guns, is negligible. So think get more long term use out of a 12, being able to go to up in loads in future.
problem is no-one has these guns to test. no sa-08 or 11-87 at dicks or bass pro. Some aren't even available and require me to purchase the youth/compact stock and add to adult gun. Any thoughts on what I wrote and does anyone know where I can see, possibly shoot some guns? I am member Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore. Maybe one of the clubs has shoot where I could drop in just to have son try some out.