870 shooting advise

[sigma6]

Went to the range and shot my 870 for the first time. I was using slugs because that is the only thing they allow. This is supposed to be my primary HD weapon along with FNP 9mm. Man this thing kicks...am I supposed to have my GF use this as well? I would like to cross train her on all my weapons but the shotty is throwing me around. I am 5'10 210 lbs and the recoil literally knocked off one of my contact lenses. How is a 5'2 110lbs woman supposed to handle it.

Is buckshot any softer shooting? I didn't have problems keeping on target as everything was in the black at 12 yds. However, I don't think my GF would like to regularly train if it means getting a sore shoulder and getting smacked in the face with the stock. Check weld is hard after only 10 shots for me, I bet she would shoot 1 and then quit.

[BigDogatPlay]

If you are sore and getting beat up / pushed around, you are not mounting the gun correctly. Also, full power slugs and buckshot are very potent. If you were, by chance, shooting 3 inch magnums that is not going to be conducive to a fun day of shooting.

There are low / managed recoil buckshot and slug rounds available that get the job done. They run at ~1150 fps velocity, about the same velocity as sporting loads. They'll be a lot easier on your disposition, but you still have to mount the gun correctly. Most all of the ammo makers now have low recoil defensive rounds.

Head upright, top line of the stock at least level with the top of your shoulder. Get the butt into the pocket of your shoulder firmly, get your weight on your front foot and lean forward a bit from the waist. That helps your body absorb the recoil. Keep your head as vertical as possible. touch your jawline to the comb of the stock then drop your head forward, not to the side, to get your cheek weld. If you mount the gun too far out onto the ball of your shoulder or even the top of your arm, you will get the snot beaten out of you.

This older thread has some good tips, but the best solution for you and your lady is to get some professional instruction.

[aippi]

What the Big Dog said. Also, low recoil or also called managed recoil kills shotgun dead so you give up nothing.

Also, you may have a stock pad on that weapon and would benifit by changing it to a Supercell or Limbsaver, with the Limbsaver being the better pad of the two. This will help a lot.

[negolien]

Slugs be nasty bud no real way around that. I'd say no to the old lady shooting those as that will make her afraid of the recoil. You could try low recoil slugs but chances are those like 00-000 buck will kick like a mule. If you live in a small apt or condo or something look into #8 birdshot.. No matter what the forum snobs say this round at 3-7 yards will jack you up. This is the range you will be engaged at in a HD scenario most of the time.

[JavaBrewer]

Went to the range and shot my 870 for the first time. I was using slugs because that is the only thing they allow. This is supposed to be my primary HD weapon along with FNP 9mm. Man this thing kicks...am I supposed to have my GF use this as well? I would like to cross train her on all my weapons but the shotty is throwing me around. I am 5'10 210 lbs and the recoil literally knocked off one of my contact lenses. How is a 5'2 110lbs woman supposed to handle it.

Is buckshot any softer shooting? I didn't have problems keeping on target as everything was in the black at 12 yds. However, I don't think my GF would like to regularly train if it means getting a sore shoulder and getting smacked in the face with the stock. Check weld is hard after only 10 shots for me, I bet she would shoot 1 and then quit.

Were those hard or soft contact lenses? LOL. I am roughly the same build as you and did not have such a harsh experience shooting full power 2 3/4 inch slugs and 000/00 buck. Yes I was a bit bruised but that was after 50 or so rounds. Pay attention to how you hold the gun and your stance and take a look at this video. Yes Rob does dramatize the recoil a tad but I think his fundamentals are sound.

Rob Haught Shotgun Basics

I agree for a HD round I think a simple sport round (7 1/2 shot) would really mess up a persons day. It probably won't kill but would definitely blind and screw up a human. Follow with 00 if the human is chemically enhanced.

[sigma6]

I was shooting regular 2 3/4 slugs. They are called brenneke KO slugs, the only ones sold at the range. I had some multipurpose load that I got from walmart but they wouldn't let me use pellet based shells. Looks like these are penetrating/accuracy marketed shells, the back of the box says 1,650 fps... improved foster-type slug for 2x penetration.

As for shouldering the gun, I keep it tight into my shoulder like a rifle, slightly bladed since Its hard to rack from the magpul style of holding a rifle. The slug goes where it needs to go but the recoil is still brutal. My cheekbone hurts more than my shoulder, almost made me not do a cheek weld.

[NeenachGuy]

My cheekbone hurts more than my shoulder, almost made me not do a cheek weld.

Do you happen to have a Knoxx SpecOps stock on it? I've heard that these have a tendency to punch the operator in the cheek (I believe NutNFancy did a video on this). You didn't mention your configuration, but I thought I'd throw that out there; apologies if it's irrelevant for your situation.

[sigma6]

I have a bone stock 870. Upon review of other threads, it looks like i'm shouldering the gun too low, dropping my head/cheek onto the gun. Also, I am pulling my support hand towards me to brace the recoil instead of pushing away.

[San_Diego_Shooter]

Change out the buttstock for Blackhawk recoil absorbing version. Makes all the difference.

[calif 15-22]

Do you happen to have a Knoxx SpecOps stock on it? I've heard that these have a tendency to punch the operator in the cheek (I believe NutNFancy did a video on this). You didn't mention your configuration, but I thought I'd throw that out there; apologies if it's irrelevant for your situation.

I have the Knoxx Spec Ops recoil reduction stock on both my 870s. Best $120 spent. Very managble recoil even with slugs. I havent experenced the cheek slap that some say. The pistol grip in combo with the recoil really helps quite a bit

Good luck . . .

[sigma6]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=uYh3yFbspEw

I watched that video and was like "The same thing happened to me..." Same stance, same cheek weld and everything.

[Thefeeder]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&fe...&v=uYh3yFbspEw
I watched that video and was like "The same thing happened to me..." Same stance, same cheek weld and everything.

Free Training.....hang with the old fa*ts at the clays range. Thats where the shotgunners hang out....you will be amased what you will learn. Keep it under your hat....hate for it to get around.

[aippi]

Nutfancy is an idiot and anyone watching that SpecOps video of his know that. He is not even following the Manufacturers warnings yet he pulls that mess and slams the product. I hope the damage went all the way down to his nads and sterilized him so he can't breed as we have enought idiots on this planet. The SpecOps works perfectly when used correctly.

As for clay shooting. I have watched guys shooting Sporting clays and I would never want to have go up against one of those guys in a shotgun fight. They have to be some of best gunners around. And those guys busting 90+ out of 100 of them tiny little clay birds ain't guys I would want after me either. Getting some tips from those guys will put you on the right path.

[PEZHEAD265]

Try some different shells or some less recoil shells.A 1 plus ounce of lead that you were shooting at 1650 fps is some potent s--t no wonder why it rocked you.Like said above grip and stance is important.

[50deuce]

It take a lot of practices to get a hang of it. The first time I shot a shotgun, it nearly throw me off balance, and yes it hurts. Once I got the hang of it, I can go through 100+ rounds without a problem (with factory stock). So don't give up on it.

Like aippi said in post #3, the best way to reduce the recoil is to change out the recoil pad (softer rubber), or you could replace the whole stock like others have said. Note when you order the pad, make sure its the right one for the stock - meaning if it's a wood or synthetic stock - so you don't experience fitment issue.