first shotgun

[JFB]

I would like a few opinions please.
For my two young nephews I have already put away the Bearcats and the 10/22s. Now for the Redlabels.
Is the frames different between the 3 gauges offered, thus is a 20 smaller than a 12, and should I even consider a 28.

My LGS is pushing Rugers this month so I was think about going ahead and putting them away for them, just not sure what would be best. I'm think 20 though

 

[Coop]

Answer to your "frames" question - I don't know.

However, I will always recommend a 12 GA to any new shotgun shooter. IMO, it is best way a new shooter learns to shoot the most common shotgun gage. There are all kinds of low recoil shells up to magnum turkey load shells for any of us shotgun shooters. I've known many CAS shooters who state the 20 Gage has more recoil than the 12 Gage, because the 20 Gage is much lighter than the 12 Gage.

Start them with 12 Gage Low Recoil loads, and once they become proficient shotgunners, thay can branch out to 20 Gage and 28 Gage, depending on their hunting/shooting needs.

Coop

 

[luvs2hunt62]

wonderful advice, coop, but sometimes young shooters need a smaller gun, such as the "Youth " model, which are lighter, and easier to handle. I would start them out on one of these, then as they get stronger, let them move up to the 12 ga. A good recoil pad on a light 20 does wonders!

 

[Tensaw]

JFB,

Coop makes a good point. I don't think the recoil will be that much different between the 12 and 20. The 12 ga will give them a better opportunity to hit more birds (live or clay) which will result in more fun and confidence. The 20 will be a little lighter and will swing better but will be more difficult to master. I grew up on 12 gauges but now that I am older I really like the 20 gauges. I have a RL 20 and I really love it. I shoot trap just as good with it as I do with my 12 gauge.

One thing about the young ones is that they adjust to things very quickly, so I don't think you can go wrong with either. But IMHO I would not choose the 28 ga.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

[G2]

I started out on a 12 Ga Side by Side, Kickd the crap out of me but it was what we had.

When I could afford a "Good" shot gun I went with a Browning 28ga. Wow what a gun. But every now and then the quail get up a little to far out.

I picked up a 12 ga Red Lable at a Pheasants Forever Dinner, Nice gun, but man it's heavy and only saw Blind time.

My go to gun now is a 20ga Red Lable 26", Great for quail, Pheasants, and it will do the Magnums so yes Ducks and Geese over Decoy's. Very moderate recoil.

Sum it up, your thinkin is spot on w/ the 20ga.
12 too heavy, Blind gun only.
28 very nice but can be a little too light and specific, ammo is expensive and can be hard to find. I dont care for the looks of the 28ga RL they don't use barrel splines on the 28ga. Just kinda looks funny to me. (cheap)
20 is the middle ground, can go to the long Magnums, to the skeet loads for the range. Very broad range.

IMO

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Hard to beat a modern 20-gauge. Guns are lighter than the 12-gauges, and with the modern ammo selection you can pretty much tailor recoil to the shooter.

Can't see a real "necessity" for a 12-gauge except for water fowl.

I like the 28-gauge, but ammo selection is slender.

JMHO

 

[JFB]

Thanks for the comments guys

The thought of getting the Redlabels just happen today and I had not given it too much though since they are only 7 now, but when LGS offered a good deal on any new Ruger, I though of them.

Some more info on the matter, I've got "shooting" and learning shot guns. This would be more like the start of a collection for them or they would be experanced by the time they took these to the field.

Maybe since I don't have a RL20 (nor 28) is why it was my first thought.

 

[CanonLyles]

For new smaller/younger shooters, I'd go with a 20 gauge. If someone has a larger frame or is older than 14, I'd go with a 12 ga.

For a general purpose shotgun round, you can't beat a 12 ga. I never dhot anything smaller than a 12 until I was in my early 20s. LOL

 

[mattsbox99]

To answer your first question, yes Ruger has 3 different frame sizes for the 3 gauges. The .410 tubes that fit the 28 gauge are no longer in production but easy to find used.

I have a 28 gauge with 28" barrels. I enjoy this gun immensely. I've shot skeet, sporting clays, trap, and turkeys with it. Its still throwing up to an ounce of lead out there. Its limited in load choice and waterfowl use, but a great upland gun. Mine is 5.25 lbs.

My 20 gauge was my first Red Label, it has 26" barrels and is the older blued receiver model with fixed chokes. I've hunted with it a bit and shot some skeet with it, but its not a skeet gun. Its choked IC and M. I like it, it balances well and it has a lot of load variety and with the Hevi Shot, its very versatile for waterfowl like Teal and close Mallards that don't need to be blasted with a 12 gauge.

My most recent Red Label is a 12 gauge Sporting Clays model with 30" barrels. I shoot Trap with this gun. Its not a Trap gun, but I make it work. Its heavier than the other two, I haven't hunted with it yet, but I will this fall. I've only had it about 7 months.

Red Labels are very sturdy guns. You'll wear out before they ever do, they are a good investment and Ruger offers the best service for them, all free. You can't beat that with two Berettas.