Recoil-12 gauge minishells vs 20 gauge.

[beaverislander]

Between arthritis and rotator cuff surgery my days of shooting shotguns are winding down but I really wanted a Mossberg Shockwave. I bought a 20 gauge hoping it wouldn't be that bad but it still rattles my bones pretty good. Would a 12 gauge with mini-shells be more or less recoil? (due to location I can not try a firearm before buying.)

[GreaseMonkeySRT]

Mini shells are extremely manageable.

[10x25mm]

In any given firearm, recoil is a direct function of mass times velocity (MV). In shotshells, you have to consider the cumulative mass of the shot, wad, and propellant. Gun gas velocity is usually assumed to be twice the projecta velocity.

If you want to reduce recoil, try lowering the shot payload or the velocity of the loads. Winchester catalogues a low noise, low recoil 20 gauge AA load, but it has been difficult to obtain in the last couple of years. Reloading can produce some very modest recoil 20 gauge loads with the Claybuster CB1075-20 wad.

[Garandsrus]

Are you looking for shot loads or buckshot? If it’s for shot, try some 3/4 oz light loads.

[beaverislander]

Probably #4 Buck but I'm going to need a lot of plinking ammo to get up and running.

Shooting from the hip is much harder that it looks (for me anyway.)

[mr44]

Get a 410 shockwave house protection with buckshot

[Rasher]

Get a 410 shockwave house protection with buckshot

A 410 with buckshot or the pdx1 rounds Will get the job done, even slugs in that platform will do good with a greatly reduced risk of over penetration and going for a visit to your neighbors house. On the rare occasion I carry my Snake slayer(bug) its loaded with pdx1, at the ranges inside our homes it more than capable. Im trying to justify a 410 7 round home security.

[thedonn007]

12 gauge mini shell slugs have the same recoil as full sized shells.

[GreaseMonkeySRT]

12 gauge mini shell slugs have the same recoil as full sized shells.

Physics disagrees with you.

[beaverislander]

What would be the mildest 20ga round to practice with?

Disregard, several choices when I googled it.