Good Shot Size for Youth

[dtk913]

I am taking my 10 yr old daughter turkey hunting this year. She has been going along with me for about 5 years, but has not hunted herself. She loves to go, and even has her own box call that she is pretty good with.

Anyway, a friend is letting me borrow his Rossi 20gauge youth shotgun. It is a single shot and fits her perfectly. I know I need to pattern it and see how it shots, but I am wondering about other hunters experiences with shot size when a young kid is shooting.

Thanks

Dan

 

[ARbowhtr]

What I have done in the past is let the kid shot the gun to practice with light loads, 8's or something that does not kick. Depending on the size of the child, I then put in 4's in a 2 3/4 or a 3in. It has worked well for me in the past, they are used to shooting a gun that does not kick and when they shoot that turkey they will not feel it anyway.

 

[dtk913]

That is kind of what I was thinking. I could pattern it with whatever I want her to hunt with and then let her practice with a lighter load. You are right, I don't care what load you are firing at the bird, you don't feel a thing.

Thanks

Dan

 

[Skully]

Yup, I agree with the above post. I always check the patterns and loads for the actual "hunting ammo" then let my boys, ages 12 and 8 practice with the lighter game loads. As long as there is no worry of scope-kiss they don't even notice the recoil when ol' tommy is strutting out in front of them! :way: