Shotgun recoil is no joke

[Alan]

I went to pattern my 12 gauge for turkey season yesterday. After about 15 rounds my shoulder was done. I'm not soft but that gun beats me up. Do you guys just deal with it or is there a way to make it suck less?

 

[IN10SS]

I’m planning on a 20 gauge shotgun for my next purchase for similar reasons. I did replace the cushion on my 308 stock when I realized I was flinching from the recoil. Also, last fall I stopped in to Brownell’s in Iowa and bought a shirt with a pad in the shoulder. It was even reversible for a lefty like me.

 

[IN10SS]

One last note. A semi auto shotgun can absorb some of the recoil when it cycles vs a break action SG.

 

[Shotgunangler]

One last note. A semi auto shotgun can absorb some of the recoil when it cycles vs a break action SG.

And a pump action will thump just as hard as a break action.

 

[Alan]

I’m planning on a 20 gauge shotgun for my next purchase for similar reasons. I did replace the cushion on my 308 stock when I realized I was flinching from the recoil. Also, last fall I stopped in to Brownell’s in Iowa and bought a shirt with a pad in the shoulder. It was even reversible for a lefty like me.

That padded shirt might be worth it, flinching is definitely creeping in.

 

[Alan]

One last note. A semi auto shotgun can absorb some of the recoil when it cycles vs a break action SG.

Good point, maybe a semi-auto would take the edge off.

 

[Alan]

And a pump action will thump just as hard as a break action.

Yeah, my pump definitely isn’t doing my shoulder any favors.

 

[turkeymanwade]

A few years back, I did some testing of choke tube/load combinations. Probably shot 50 shells 3 and 3.5" 12 gauge over a few days. To get through it, I used a homemade shoulder pad. It's made from an old ski belt I picked up floating in a river, some corduroy cloth, and nylon straps. You can buy one, but I'm way too frugal for that.

https://www.ebay.com/b/past-recoil-pad/bn_7024792708