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General Discussion => General Forum => Topic started by: WNCTracker on April 07, 2018, 08:35:17 AM

Title: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: WNCTracker on April 07, 2018, 08:35:17 AM
Last minute decision to take my son out tomorrow. I do not have a 20 ga as he said all year he wanted to wait until next year and today changed his mind. I hate to put him on a longbeard 3" 12 ga without preparation.  Would you use a high brass 2 3/4 shell?  Or even a low brass load and keep shots to 15 yds or just scrap the idea altogether until next year.


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Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: owlhoot on April 07, 2018, 08:43:24 AM
Well how old and big is the fella?
Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: WNCTracker on April 07, 2018, 08:44:29 AM
9 yrs old and solid muscle. He shot a deer with my .308 last fall 165 gr bullet


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Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: owlhoot on April 07, 2018, 08:48:49 AM
A 2 3/4 " duck and pheasant lead load would probably work to 30 yards. Of course pattern first is always your best option.
Heck he might be ok with what you got. Auto or pump gun ,auto will of course help with recoil if gas operation.
Title: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: WNCTracker on April 07, 2018, 08:49:52 AM
Quote from: owlhoot on April 07, 2018, 08:48:49 AM
A 2 3/4 " duck and pheasant lead load would probably work to 30 yards. Of course pattern first is always your best option.
Heck he might be ok with what you got. Auto or pump gun ,auto will of course help with recoil if gas operation.
SBE3 inertia. Recoil is less than SBE2 as well...I've got some pheasant liads


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Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: owlhoot on April 07, 2018, 09:08:01 AM
I would throw one on a pattern board at 30and see what you have.
Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: WNCTracker on April 07, 2018, 09:15:50 AM
Quote from: owlhoot on April 07, 2018, 09:08:01 AM
I would throw one on a pattern board at 30and see what you have.
It's a bad situation because I've been out of state for 2 weeks, get back tonight, and can only hunt in AM tomorrow with him. It's not how I'd plan it. When I broke in the gun, I patterned it with everything I had on hand just to shoot it.....including with pheasant loads and it wasn't real dense at more than 30 but would easily kill at 20-25 yd. I'm tempted to put him behind the 3" shell and rely on adrenaline but that is not how I would like to break him in.  I'm curios about the recoil vs the .308


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Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: Dtrkyman on April 07, 2018, 09:22:49 AM
imho that 3 inch shell will stomp his a--, a pheasant type load or heavy game load in the 12 should out do the 20, when my nephews were around that age we shot 12 ga. pheasant loads, good to 30 or so.
Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: WNCTracker on April 07, 2018, 09:24:24 AM
Quote from: Dtrkyman on April 07, 2018, 09:22:49 AM
imho that 3 inch shell will stomp his a--, a pheasant type load or heavy game load in the 12 should out do the 20, when my nephews were around that age we shot 12 ga. pheasant loads, good to 30 or so.
Yeah, I'm gonna go with the pheasant loads. I don't want a kid with a fear of shooting or a flinch.


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Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: SteelerFan on April 07, 2018, 09:29:48 AM
Here are some real numbers:

http://chuckhawks.com/compared_rifle_shotgun_recoil.html

That 3" is gonna thump.

Good grip + adrenalin + live bird = unnoticed.

Loose grip + gun slightly off shoulder = punch in the face?

If it were me, I'd go lighter load and closer shot. Worse case is you get to watch a bird strut and gobble at 40 yards. Still a great hunt experience! (best case, bird works to 25 yds and he gets a shot)
Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: owlhoot on April 07, 2018, 09:41:03 AM
Quote from: WNCTracker on April 07, 2018, 09:15:50 AM
Quote from: owlhoot on April 07, 2018, 09:08:01 AM
I would throw one on a pattern board at 30and see what you have.
It's a bad situation because I've been out of state for 2 weeks, get back tonight, and can only hunt in AM tomorrow with him. It's not how I'd plan it. When I broke in the gun, I patterned it with everything I had on hand just to shoot it.....including with pheasant loads and it wasn't real dense at more than 30 but would easily kill at 20-25 yd. I'm tempted to put him behind the 3" shell and rely on adrenaline but that is not how I would like to break him in.  I'm curios about the recoil vs the .308


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What did you have in the 10" at 30 with the pheasant loads?
Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: WNCTracker on April 07, 2018, 09:44:57 AM
Quote from: owlhoot on April 07, 2018, 09:41:03 AM
Quote from: WNCTracker on April 07, 2018, 09:15:50 AM
Quote from: owlhoot on April 07, 2018, 09:08:01 AM
I would throw one on a pattern board at 30and see what you have.
It's a bad situation because I've been out of state for 2 weeks, get back tonight, and can only hunt in AM tomorrow with him. It's not how I'd plan it. When I broke in the gun, I patterned it with everything I had on hand just to shoot it.....including with pheasant loads and it wasn't real dense at more than 30 but would easily kill at 20-25 yd. I'm tempted to put him behind the 3" shell and rely on adrenaline but that is not how I would like to break him in.  I'm curios about the recoil vs the .308


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What did you have in the 10" at 30 with the pheasant loads?
Can't remember exactly but less than 100


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Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: owlhoot on April 07, 2018, 09:52:45 AM
Quote from: WNCTracker on April 07, 2018, 09:44:57 AM
Quote from: owlhoot on April 07, 2018, 09:41:03 AM
Quote from: WNCTracker on April 07, 2018, 09:15:50 AM
Quote from: owlhoot on April 07, 2018, 09:08:01 AM
I would throw one on a pattern board at 30and see what you have.
It's a bad situation because I've been out of state for 2 weeks, get back tonight, and can only hunt in AM tomorrow with him. It's not how I'd plan it. When I broke in the gun, I patterned it with everything I had on hand just to shoot it.....including with pheasant loads and it wasn't real dense at more than 30 but would easily kill at 20-25 yd. I'm tempted to put him behind the 3" shell and rely on adrenaline but that is not how I would like to break him in.  I'm curios about the recoil vs the .308


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What did you have in the 10" at 30 with the pheasant loads?
Can't remember exactly but less than 100


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if around 80 or more a lot of guys say your good , back long ago that is about what most had is 30 yard guns and lots of turkey were killed.
I would take the boy with that and get 30 and under and kill one.
Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: WNCTracker on April 07, 2018, 09:57:15 AM
Quote from: owlhoot on April 07, 2018, 09:52:45 AM
Quote from: WNCTracker on April 07, 2018, 09:44:57 AM
Quote from: owlhoot on April 07, 2018, 09:41:03 AM
Quote from: WNCTracker on April 07, 2018, 09:15:50 AM
Quote from: owlhoot on April 07, 2018, 09:08:01 AM
I would throw one on a pattern board at 30and see what you have.
It's a bad situation because I've been out of state for 2 weeks, get back tonight, and can only hunt in AM tomorrow with him. It's not how I'd plan it. When I broke in the gun, I patterned it with everything I had on hand just to shoot it.....including with pheasant loads and it wasn't real dense at more than 30 but would easily kill at 20-25 yd. I'm tempted to put him behind the 3" shell and rely on adrenaline but that is not how I would like to break him in.  I'm curios about the recoil vs the .308


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What did you have in the 10" at 30 with the pheasant loads?
Can't remember exactly but less than 100


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if around 80 or more a lot of guys say your good , back long ago that is about what most had is 30 yard guns and lots of turkey were killed.
I would take the boy with that and get 30 and under and kill one.
That's how I started.


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Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: zelmo1 on April 07, 2018, 10:02:57 AM
GO with the pheasant load and keep the shots reasonable, close is good. If you have a rest for him it will be a big help
Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: Spitten and drummen on April 07, 2018, 10:06:04 AM
If he shooting a gobbler and that's it , he won't even realize how hard it kicked him. Wouldn't change a thing. It's not like he will be shooting the gun several times.
Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: daddyduke on April 07, 2018, 10:13:06 AM
He will feel it later. Go with 2 3/4
Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: howl on April 07, 2018, 10:20:33 AM
https://youtu.be/3V9uL_ruafU
Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: owlhoot on April 07, 2018, 10:57:05 AM
Quote from: WNCTracker on April 07, 2018, 09:57:15 AM
Quote from: owlhoot on April 07, 2018, 09:52:45 AM
Quote from: WNCTracker on April 07, 2018, 09:44:57 AM
Quote from: owlhoot on April 07, 2018, 09:41:03 AM
Quote from: WNCTracker on April 07, 2018, 09:15:50 AM
Quote from: owlhoot on April 07, 2018, 09:08:01 AM
I would throw one on a pattern board at 30and see what you have.
It's a bad situation because I've been out of state for 2 weeks, get back tonight, and can only hunt in AM tomorrow with him. It's not how I'd plan it. When I broke in the gun, I patterned it with everything I had on hand just to shoot it.....including with pheasant loads and it wasn't real dense at more than 30 but would easily kill at 20-25 yd. I'm tempted to put him behind the 3" shell and rely on adrenaline but that is not how I would like to break him in.  I'm curios about the recoil vs the .308


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What did you have in the 10" at 30 with the pheasant loads?
Can't remember exactly but less than 100


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if around 80 or more a lot of guys say your good , back long ago that is about what most had is 30 yard guns and lots of turkey were killed.
I would take the boy with that and get 30 and under and kill one.
That's how I started.


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Well have fun and good luck luck!
Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: Longbeard33 on April 07, 2018, 01:13:20 PM
My son has taken 6 gobblers with a 20 ga shooting 2 3/4" low brass 7 1/2 dove loads.  The gun patterns well to 35 yards with a full choke.  5 of the gobblers have been taken at 15 yards, the other 30.  Started him on this when he was 7 and was a scrawny little guy. Just turning 11,  I was going to move him up to 3" this spring but he decided to use a bow instead, killing a gobbler this morning with a head shot at 6 yards.

Had a friend try the 12 ga thing with his 10 yr old and it didn't pan out well.  Kid didn't have a good grip on the gun, gun flew out of his hands and busted the stock on the blowdown they were up against. Kid got a 20 ga for Christmas this yr and was terrified to shoot it.  After the first three shots he's ok now.  You know your kid and how he will handle it as each kid is their own individual.  Good luck!
Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: WNCTracker on April 07, 2018, 02:57:03 PM
Quote from: SteelerFan on April 07, 2018, 09:29:48 AM
Here are some real numbers:

http://chuckhawks.com/compared_rifle_shotgun_recoil.html

That 3" is gonna thump.

Good grip + adrenalin + live bird = unnoticed.

Loose grip + gun slightly off shoulder = punch in the face?

If it were me, I'd go lighter load and closer shot. Worse case is you get to watch a bird strut and gobble at 40 yards. Still a great hunt experience! (best case, bird works to 25 yds and he gets a shot)
That table is pretty surprising for even dove loads being practically the same as a win300 mag...?


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Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: quackaddict on April 07, 2018, 03:08:45 PM
I've patterned a few loads over the years, and honestly, there isn't much that won't pattern good enough to kill a turkey at 30 yards and in. He could shoot some high quality sporting clays/trap loads with a turkey choke and wreck a bird inside 20. 1 ΒΌ of #6 from a 12 won't kick him very bad in that auto, and will kill a bird to 30 all day and twice on Sundays.

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Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: Caspar on April 08, 2018, 10:05:20 AM
2 3/4 inch low brass will kill a turkey fine out to 25-30 yards. we had the same dilemma with my buddys son a few years ago. i recommended the light shell so it didnt hurt him or make him gun shy. he was able to take a jake on the first morning at 25 yards. that bird died just as fast as any bird ive seen killed with a 3 inch magnum load. like another poster said, if you cant get a bird within range at least he will get a good show
Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: WNCTracker on April 08, 2018, 10:15:38 AM
We got on 4 longbeards off the roost. They flew right over our heads down to the field about 100 yards across a ravine. We watched them strut and gobble for over 30 minutes at some roosted  hens while I let him practice his pot call. I knew they weren't going to come back across the hollow and he had fun.  I watched them through the binoculars and as soon as the last one went over the hill we got up to circle around for a different setup and 5 mins later....turkeys being turkeys ....we watched all 4 fly away. I knew where they went so we headed for cover and a 30 minute steep climb to get to a good setup spot. I was able to get one to gobble his way in to about 50 yards but he was on property I'm not granted access and he wouldn't cross the cow fence. Oh well, we let his interest die and backed out of there since we were out of time.  He had a blast


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Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: zelmo1 on April 08, 2018, 10:29:03 AM
Thats a good day brother ????????
Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: terp on April 08, 2018, 02:13:26 PM
2 3/4 7.5 trap load and keep the shots to 25 yards.    Id use a more open choke too if you have one.  Like factory full
Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: owlhoot on April 08, 2018, 02:35:23 PM
Quote from: WNCTracker on April 08, 2018, 10:15:38 AM
We got on 4 longbeards off the roost. They flew right over our heads down to the field about 100 yards across a ravine. We watched them strut and gobble for over 30 minutes at some roosted  hens while I let him practice his pot call. I knew they weren't going to come back across the hollow and he had fun.  I watched them through the binoculars and as soon as the last one went over the hill we got up to circle around for a different setup and 5 mins later....turkeys being turkeys ....we watched all 4 fly away. I knew where they went so we headed for cover and a 30 minute steep climb to get to a good setup spot. I was able to get one to gobble his way in to about 50 yards but he was on property I'm not granted access and he wouldn't cross the cow fence. Oh well, we let his interest die and backed out of there since we were out of time.  He had a blast


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That's a good deal,he had fun and good luck next time out.
What did you end up doing with the gun and loads choice?
Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: WNCTracker on April 08, 2018, 04:05:32 PM
Quote from: owlhoot on April 08, 2018, 02:35:23 PM
Quote from: WNCTracker on April 08, 2018, 10:15:38 AM
We got on 4 longbeards off the roost. They flew right over our heads down to the field about 100 yards across a ravine. We watched them strut and gobble for over 30 minutes at some roosted  hens while I let him practice his pot call. I knew they weren't going to come back across the hollow and he had fun.  I watched them through the binoculars and as soon as the last one went over the hill we got up to circle around for a different setup and 5 mins later....turkeys being turkeys ....we watched all 4 fly away. I knew where they went so we headed for cover and a 30 minute steep climb to get to a good setup spot. I was able to get one to gobble his way in to about 50 yards but he was on property I'm not granted access and he wouldn't cross the cow fence. Oh well, we let his interest die and backed out of there since we were out of time.  He had a blast


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That's a good deal,he had fun and good luck next time out.
What did you end up doing with the gun and loads choice?
We took my SBE3 and used 2 3/4" #5's


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Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: Chris O on April 08, 2018, 06:39:14 PM
My sons first one was killed with a 2 3/4 inch pheasant load at about 25 yds. I would take him with the 3 inch 12 that you have patterned. If he shoots at a bird. He won't be scared of the recoil. Maybe let him shoot the gun with light loads for practice.
Title: Re: Opinion about a last minute youth load
Post by: Bowguy on April 08, 2018, 09:27:18 PM
Quote from: owlhoot on April 07, 2018, 09:08:01 AM
I would throw one on a pattern board at 30and see what you have.
My first thought