Over/under

[acapa]

Looking for over/under for sporting clays for 2 young adults, one right handed one left. I have heard that recoil much harder for O/U's? Both want to stay with 12 guage.

[RedFord150]

I shoot 12 gauge O/U for skeet myself.
Semi-Auto is lightest recoil because the action absorbs some of the recoil energy.
Pump and anything with a breech open (Double Barrel or Single Shot) is going to 'kick' harder. The lighter the gun, the harder the 'kick'.
I use a Winchester load called a 'Featherweight' (I think). In simple terms, this is a lighter charge. This is much easier on the shoulder. I do not shoot SG that much so the higher cost is not much of an issue. However, these rounds will not work in a Semi-Auto. Not enough energy to properly cycle the action.
These rounds are just enough to break clays. Not for hunting or defensive uses.
Good luck.

[BMC]

It has been my experience that most of the "budget" O/Us are light and thus tend to kick like a mule, especially to youth who are generally much lighter and smaller framed than an adult. A 20 gauge would tame the kick a bit, but finding 20g ammo can sometimes be difficult and more expensive than 12g. If this is something they just want to try now and then, you can probably just rent a couple of semi's from the range store. If they are wanting to be a little more active with it, then I would first suggest a semi. If the budget O/U you get them ends up kicking the snot out of them, they won't want to stay with the sport very long.

[Chk Chk Boom]

It has been my experience that most of the "budget" O/Us are light and thus tend to kick like a mule, especially to youth who are generally much lighter and smaller framed than an adult. A 20 gauge would tame the kick a bit, but finding 20g ammo can sometimes be difficult and more expensive than 12g. If this is something they just want to try now and then, you can probably just rent a couple of semi's from the range store. If they are wanting to be a little more active with it, then I would first suggest a semi. If the budget O/U you get them ends up kicking the snot out of them, they won't want to stay with the sport very long.

You can buy bulk 20 gauge federal "all purpose" shells from WM for the same price as 12 gauge. As for other "for purpose" loads (such as buck/slugs), I'm not quite sure cause I only shoot 12 gauge haha.

[Revoman]

I agree with the Featherweight loads and uing a 12 ga. 20's usually are a lighter gun and they will kick every bit as hard as a 12 ga because of it.

These are youths, they will probably grow into the gun anyway.

The 12 has a multitude of loads available for all of the games plus hunting and HD.

There are some very innovative items on the market that will reduce recoil from recoil pads on the gun to recoil pads inside the shirt/vest. There are also recoil absorbing/shocks that are fitted to the butt stock and can be adjusted to the load and the shooter. This, plus some fitting information and products like adjustable stocks.

Get a hold of a 'Shotgun Sports' magazine, there is a lot of stuff in there for this very thing.....plus it's a cool magazine to page through. They have a website too, shotgunsports.com I think.

[acapa]

It has been my experience that most of the "budget" O/Us are light and thus tend to kick like a mule, especially to youth who are generally much lighter and smaller framed than an adult. A 20 gauge would tame the kick a bit, but finding 20g ammo can sometimes be difficult and more expensive than 12g. If this is something they just want to try now and then, you can probably just rent a couple of semi's from the range store. If they are wanting to be a little more active with it, then I would first suggest a semi. If the budget O/U you get them ends up kicking the snot out of them, they won't want to stay with the sport very long.

Good stuff guys and lots to consider here. Thanks.