How do you adjust shotgun loads to get very light recoil? Can you just decrease the powder charge? How about the shot? Do they make extra long wads that don't hold very much. I'd like to let a small person shoot my 870 without scaring teh crap out of them with noise or recoil. I know that general purpose and light target loads don't have much kick, but I remember being small and thinking they did. I'd like something that practically doesn't kick at all and makes very little noise. If it will break stationary clay pigeons at 10 paces, that's all the power I'm looking for. I simply don't know the first thing about shotshell reloading.

Or am I better off buying a .410 barrel for my Handi-Rifle ($35) and using off-the shelf ammo?

Thanks,

H. C.

[ 07-22-2003, 21:43: Message edited by: HenryC470 ]

I've loaded the 12 down to 7/8 oz. There are many lighter loads listed in the newer manuals, but it's still a 12 ga.

Give any thought to an adapter that would allow firing a .410 in your 870?

loading shotshells is totally different than metallic rifle and pistol,due to the fact that you have to fill a specific length with powder,wad and shot to get the proper crimp.It's not just a matter of adding more or less powder.Your plan "b" sounds like the easiest way around your situation

Look around and see if you can locate some trainer loads. Just like with rifle loads, recoil is caused by velocity and projectile weight.

You can buy the "light target" loads, but if they are 7/8th loads at 1375 (Wally world promo loads, for example), they STILL kick the persnotty out of you.

Look for a 1 oz load under 1100 fps, or 7/8th oz load under 1200 fps.

You can build these yourself, but these aren't as easy to build as you would think, since it is easy to go too low in pressure; resulting in possible bloopers.

I spent some time trying to work this same thing out this summer, talked to Hodgden, etc, and in the end I just bought a flat of Fiocchi trainer loads. Much simpler, cheaper and quicker than trying to set up the loader for a few boxes, and have another can of powder in the cabinet. I know, buying factory is un-american, but sometimes it is wise to let the dark side win one battle..... JMO, Dutch

http://www.fiocchiusa.com/target.htm
Or, the winchester version, look at the AA12FL at:
http://www.winchester.com/ammunition/store/shotlist.aspx?gaugelist=12&uselist=5&brandlist=none

HenryC470,

Go to walmart and find the cheapest shells you can find. The ones im talking about are the 7/8 ounce 2 1/4 dram loads. They are like 2.50-3.00 dollars a box. I occasionally find them on sale and I shoot them as practice loads at the 16 yard line at trap. They have very light recoil as well as they are somewhat quite for a 12 gauge load.

You might look into getting a 20 gauge. I used to have an 870 wingmaster and I loaded some really lite "powder puff" loads for it. Very light recoil and somewhat quiter.

I would frown on getting a 410. I think the round out to be outlawed. If you are a crack shot then it would be ok. I have seen to many father try starting there kids out on a 410 and it only discouraged the kids. Some say that it will make you a better shot but you will have to shoot the dam thing for ever to get good. When I have kids I will start them out on a 870 20 gauge. After they can handle it I will move them up to a 12 gauge. Its good to get them started eairly on a 12 gauge as they will sooner or later need one and they will need to get use recoil.

Thats my 2 cents worth

Richard W. Gullotto

Recoil is much worse when the stock doesn't fit. Cutting down a stock or buying a short one is at least as important as light loads. Proper instruction in holding the gun and standing( leaning into it) important too .And if you constantly talk about recoil to a new shooter you will will make him afraid of it.

You might try a chamber adapter that allow a .410 shell to be fired in a 12 gauge gun. I used one to start a couple of 10 year old boys on shotguns. The recoil is far less than a regular .410, and they are adequate for stationary clay birds and soda cans at close range. I think I paid around $15 for it.
I never mentioned the word 'kick' to the boys. I told them the gun would 'bounce' a bit when fired. 'Kick' is scary. 'Bounce' is fun. When the box of .410 ammo was used up, and they had learned how much fun it is to hit a target, we started to use regular field loads in a 20 gauge gun. They really liked the increased effect on the targets, and were not bothered by the increased recoil.

I have loaded some very light recoil loads with 5 grs of red dot for 700 fps 1 1/8 oz shot 8 grs give you around 900fps 10 grs just over 1000 fps. Nothing magic about them. the five gr loads break clays at 20 yards with no trouble. You real have to increase your lead. They are fairly quiet all so.