Lowest Recoiling Shotgun

[ggunner]

I'm interested in buying a shotgun, however I have tendinitis on my right shoulder, which gets aggravated by recoil. I'm looking for suggestions on how to build the lowest recoiling platform possible in 12 or 20 guage. I'd be willing to buy a semi-auto, however I'm looking to keep it at $700 or below.

I've been doing some research and have found these commonly cited solutions:


- Limbsaver recoil pads can help a lot with reducing felt recoil.
- Semi-autos reduce felt recoil because some of the energy is absorbed through the gas-operating system.
- Shooting lighter loads will reduce recoil.
- You won't always feel less recoil with a 20 guage than with a 12 because the former weigh less than the latter.

I have two questions for my fellow Calgunners:

1) I'm curious about shooting lighter loads. I've read that although shooting rounds like AA Winchester's significantly reduces felt recoil, semi-autos do not cycle these well. Would I be better off shooting lighter loads out of a 12 or 20 guage pump, or regular loads out of a semi-auto.

2) Can anyone recommend an affordable low-recoil set up?

As always, thanks for your help!

[LCU1670]

I have a 20 ga 870. Had the barrel pro ported and the forcing cone lengthened. My wife took a 4 day shotgun class at front sight and had no problems.

[osis32]

A little out of your price range but if you pinch your pennies I hear the rem versamax is really light shooting even with 3.5" shells. Limbsaver can only make it even better. I have a 930 and I think it shoots lightly but I'm 240 pounds.

[RayPDA]

First off, the build would be dependent on your intended purpose.

For example, if I were in your position and building one for trap/sporting/skeet:

I'd buy a used rem 1100 for about 400-450, buy a jack west adjustable comb stock (they can cut to you LOP) add a limbsaver or kick eze pad, and run 2 3/4 dram 1oz loads- the combination of weight, pad, low recoiling nature of the 1100, adjustability of the stock's comb(for fitment to you), and light target loads (1100s will cycle them mostly, just keep them clean) should do you well.

[epic1856]

1) I'm curious about shooting lighter loads. I've read that although shooting rounds like AA Winchester's significantly reduces felt recoil, semi-autos do not cycle these well. Would I be better off shooting lighter loads out of a 12 or 20 guage pump, or regular loads out of a semi-auto.

2) Can anyone recommend an affordable low-recoil set up?

As always, thanks for your help!

1)
It's hit or miss on the type of semi that cycles light loads. I have a Remington 1100 12g that will not cycle anything less than 1 oz loads (some folks do have 1100s that cycle light loads), but my Beretta 391 cycles pretty much anything. It does 3/4 and 7/8 oz loads with no issues. One thing to keep in mind is that you will be paying a premium to shoot light loads in 12 g unless you plan on reloading.

2)
I don't have a setup, but here is what I would look for in a shotgun:
~Heavy Shotgun, something that weights close to 8 lbs or more
~semi-auto
~good recoil pad
~If 12 g light 7/8 or 3/4 oz loads that I will reload, if reloading not an option go with 20 g.

My definition of a light 12 g load is anything less than 1 oz. And I do know plenty of folks shooting 3/4 oz loads. I myself reload 7/8 oz 12 g loads.

[ysr_racer]

Browning semi auto gold sporting is the softest shooting shotgun I've ever shot.

[knucklehead0202]

eat your wheaties....

[Pistolgrip Pump]

What is your intended purpose for the gun?

[Clinton]

First off, the build would be dependent on your intended purpose.

For example, if I were in your position and building one for trap/sporting/skeet:

I'd buy a used rem 1100 for about 400-450, buy a jack west adjustable comb stock (they can cut to you LOP) add a limbsaver or kick eze pad, and run 2 3/4 dram 1oz loads- the combination of weight, pad, low recoiling nature of the 1100, adjustability of the stock's comb(for fitment to you), and light target loads (1100s will cycle them mostly, just keep them clean) should do you well.

I'd say this ^^^^ is your answer.

[Clinton]

Browning semi auto gold sporting is the softest shooting shotgun I've ever shot.

Agreed, but out of his budget.

[r1ghtw1ng]

If you are planning on shooting singles trap, I wouldn't stress too much about potential cycling issues with light loads, since you're only loading 1 round at a time anyway.

[lwlaml]

I have the Versa Max Tactical as my 3-gun shotgun and it is VERY soft shooting. The stock recoil pad is very cushy and I have not had any trouble cycling 1oz, 2 3/4 dram, 1140fps loads. I assume the weight of a 28in barrel would soften it further.

Lester

A little out of your price range but if you pinch your pennies I hear the rem versamax is really light shooting even with 3.5" shells. Limbsaver can only make it even better. I have a 930 and I think it shoots lightly but I'm 240 pounds.

[Grizzled Bastard]

Get a gas operated semi-auto of your liking in your price range, then drop a $120 into with a Sure Cycle recoil spring and housing. The high quality spring kit really has an effect on perceived recoil and will keep the gun performing flawlessly for a lifetime as it won't corrode like most all factory systems start doing almost immediately. I've been running these set-ups for years in all my autoloaders with great results and no hiccups on my duck guns i the nastiest of conditions.

[TZL]

Look for a used Beretta 391 or the new A300 outlander

I have an A400 Xtreme, everyone that has shot it says it's the lowest recoil 12ga they have ever shot

Plus it cycles every 2.75" shell I've used

It's out of your range, you I think other beretta gas guns would be soft as well

[ggunner]

What is your intended purpose for the gun?

Shooting trap.