Semi-autos and low/med-velocity ammo?

[basilisk]

What is the lowest velocity load that will reliably cycle a semi-auto (Winchester ranger 12ga, if that matters)? I'm trying to introduce my wife to the wonderful world of breaking those little orange moving targets, and want something less punishing for her. I was thinking about ordering a case or two of 1180fps 1oz #8 birdshot currently on sale at Cabela's, but I'm not sure if it will work reliably.
Any ideas are appreciated!

[scotty99]

We always shoot the Winchester AA low noise low recoil rounds for Cowboy Action (in a side by side), and they only cycle my semi about 25% of the time. However, for a new shooter, that's not necessarily a bad thing. You are unlikely to have her trying to shoot doubles at the start, so just have her single load or manually cycle the bolt. Those AAs are the softest factory load I'm aware of.

Hopefully you'll have better luck, but my wife still hates the 12ga, even with those popgun loads.

[prc77]

Maybe a 20ga for the wife

[RayPDA]

It depends on the semi - my Benelli will cycle 1150 and 1180 loads without hassle, whereas my Super X1 can cycle 1200 (most of the time) but is perfect with 1250 and up...my 302 with a 2 3/4" chamber didn't cycle the 1180s, but with a 3" mag bbl installed, will cycle 1200fps loads just fine (go figure haha)


and like what scotty said - if you're shooting singles trap - one round at a time is just fine if it doesn't fully cycle, then just pull back the bolt and voila, perfect trap gun, no shell catcher needed


Oh, and fit is a key component in how the recoil affects the shooter...see if the stock is to long or short for her, or if she's mounting it correctly, etc.




best of luck!

[ysr_racer]

Where do you live?

My wife has a Rem 1100 20ga youth model you can try out.

[BigDogatPlay]

My 1100s have always cycled fine with loads at 1145 fps. I've tried shells that were a bit lighter a couple of times and they cycled fine. Didn't have any issues until I got to single barrel powder puff loads, like 7/8 oz of shot at probably just below 1100 fps.

A gas operated auto is going to give her something of a break on recoil so it's a good place to start. As noted above, proper gun mount followed by fit will go a long way to solving recoil issues.

[g_conway]

I had a smith modify my 1100 TAC4. It now shoots reliably even with the walmart/federal target loads ( 7 1/2 shot 3 dram and the 2 7/8 dram)

the thing seems to cycle anything now. I love it.

[Marlin Hunter]

What is the lowest velocity load that will reliably cycle a semi-auto (Winchester ranger 12ga, if that matters)? I'm trying to introduce my wife to the wonderful world of breaking those little orange moving targets, and want something less punishing for her. I was thinking about ordering a case or two of 1180fps 1oz #8 birdshot currently on sale at Cabela's, but I'm not sure if it will work reliably.
Any ideas are appreciated!

If you are not shooting doubles, it shouldn't matter if the shell ejects or not, and since your wife is a beginner, I doubt you will be shooting double clays. Try any 7/8oz load, and manually eject the round.

[basilisk]

Where do you live?

My wife has a Rem 1100 20ga youth model you can try out.

ysr_racer, I really appreciate your offer, but she tried youth models and they do not fit her well (since she's 5'10"). I guess my best bet is to take her to the Shooting Fair in June so she can try different things in person.

[basilisk]

Maybe a 20ga for the wife

That's definitely an option further down the road, if she gets interested enough to get her own gun.

[sargenv]

My Gold has cycled very light 7/8 oz 1150 fps loads.. most shotguns will not go that low and tend to want at least 1200 fps 1 oz loads or better..