is it really that bad? Stevens 301 12ga

[sswv]

I've carried an 870 hunting for more years than I care to count. I'm getting older and more beat up so I've been thinking about a single shot. it seems the Stevens 301 is the big dog right now but I'm concerned about the recoil of the 12ga. I use my 12ga 870 early then (if I still have a tag) I switch over to the 20ga but, one place I hunt requires a lot of walking so the single would make the hike a LOT easier. Considering it'll be a single shot it'll most likely be a 12ga with LB's. Now, with all that being said, I'm hearing the recoil of the Stevens 301 12ga is absolute brutal. anyone on here care to comment about this? do any of you actually own one or have shot one?

thanks in advance

[Happy]

I doubt a single shot 12 Gauge is much lighter than a 20 gauge pump or semi. Recoil won't be as bad either. I grew up shooting a stevens single shot 12 Gauge and recoil is pretty stout. Not mossberg 3.5" stout but you will know you shot it. All in what you want though. A good recoil pad would be a wise investment if you are set on the 12.

[Old Timer]

I agree with happy. A single shot 12 is a kicker. Had a bolt action 12 and that was not pleasant to use.

[Ozarks Hillbilly]

301 12ga. single shot as light as they are will produce a lot of felt recoil especially with a turkey load. Even in  a 20ga you're going to feel it when it goes off. I feel with growing popularity of shooting TSS in the sub gauges especially in .410 bore has brought the single shot turkey specific shotgun back into the spotlight.  The first turkey specific shotgun I ever bought 40 + years ago was a Steven's "Long Tom" 12ga single shot 36" full choke barrel. I was all of 11 or 12 years old that old gun would kill on one end and cripple on the other! LOL These days I pack around a 870 SM with a Knoxx spec opps stock that keeps the recoil pretty minimal.  I have been considering dropping down to a simi-auto 20ga. TSS is a game changer so you might look at getting yourself a 28ga or possibly a .410. Just my 2 cents

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[sswv]

thanks for the replies gang.  I am not really recoil sensitive but don't want to get bruised up from a mule kick either. shooting in the field is nothing like shooting from a bench but, you gotta shoot from a bench to get started. I may try to find an old H&R or NEF 12ga fixed full with a wood stock. Still be light enough and the wood helps with the recoil and, theres lots of options for recoil pads and wood stocks. anyway, thanks for the replies and I'm gonna keep thinking on this one.

[captpete]

I don't have any hands-on experience with any of these ideas/thoughts other than shooting an 870. Just sharing my thoughts/opinions about what I have read/researched...just kind of thinking out loud.

If you want to stay with the 12ga., there are options out there other than a single shot that weighs less than an 870. Those old 870's are built like tanks and weigh just about as much(mine is 20+yrs old & I feel every ounce on long trek through the woods). Check out some of the turkey specific pumps & autos...I'm pretty sure you can find something that weighs less than the 870. My opinion with a single 12 is it would hurt with a 3" turkey load. One possible option to look at would be a 2 3/4" load, but your shots would limited. With that said, a 2 3/4" TSS load might be the ticket...extended range/pattern, possibly(probably) less recoil and light to carry. Also like mentioned above there are also the sub-gauges & TSS.

[joey46]

I use both an 870 Express 12 ga that I bought in the early 1990s and a Stevens 301 .410 that was bought in the last few years.  When I hold one in each hand the weight difference is almost laughable. The lite .410 is a pleasure to carry but when push came to shove this season I took the 870 on both a early Florida quota hunt and a once in a lifetime Merriam safari.  The .410 went on a Florida regular season hunt and dropped a bird with no problems.  The 870 performed as always with two dead birds.  It is just taking me a while to fully realize how effective these little guns are with TSS.  The 301 in 12 ga has to be brutal.  I've added a gel filled pad to both my 870 and a Knight TK2000 muzzleloader.  As I age I have also become more recoil aware.  Just IMO but if you're going the 301 route go small but only with TSS.  If going the 12 ga 301 add an extra pad.  Good luck.

Pic from the Merriam hunt showing the 870 with add on gel pad.  Seems to not cause any mounting problems and wish I'd have done this earlier.

[sswv]

thanks again gang. both my 870's are the short barrel Express version. the 12ga is over 30 years old and the 20ga not far behind. they are solid built and you feel it after toting one for a while. the single will not be the primary every day gun but just for my trips to what I like to call "the home land". it's just an idea I'm kicking around in my head and there's enough time to look at everything available and maybe get to shoot a few.

[blake_08]

I have a 301T in 20 gauge and to be honest, shooting it on the bench with turkey loads is pretty brutal. Much more recoil than I was expecting the first time I shot it. I'd hate to shoot that light of a gun in 12 gauge with 2 oz worth of shot coming out of the other end.