Too Young To Start Shooting

[Jeff Elder]

Lots of bad habits begin by starting to young that they will spend thousands of dollars later in life trying to fix. Flinching, canting, dads that are right handed teaching a kid left handed to shoot right. As a waterfowl guide and avid sporting clays shooter I see it all. But like others say “ they are ready to shoot when they are ready to shoot” that said I think the 28 is hands down the best to start on and the 410 or 20 is the worst.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by Jeff Elder

Lots of bad habits begin by starting to young that they will spend thousands of dollars later in life trying to fix. Flinching, canting, dads that are right handed teaching a kid left handed to shoot right. As a waterfowl guide and avid sporting clays shooter I see it all. But like others say “ they are ready to shoot when they are ready to shoot” that said I think the 28 is hands down the best to start on and the 410 or 20 is the worst.

I'm likely far less experienced than you, but I'd argue that a 20 in a gas gun is the best way to start as long as the gun fits. The reason is that the kid, with #9 shot and open chokes, has a far better chance of success at breaking a target and that's when the magic starts. 28 is so hard to hit and punchy, and a .410 forget it, no chance to hit anything.

[Jeff Elder]

Originally Posted by Andrew Sacco

I'm likely far less experienced than you, but I'd argue that a 20 in a gas gun is the best way to start as long as the gun fits. The reason is that the kid, with #9 shot and open chokes, has a far better chance of success at breaking a target and that's when the magic starts. 28 is so hard to hit and punchy, and a .410 forget it, no chance to hit anything.

Problem with a 20 is most youth models stocks just put massive recoil on the shoulder, and most dads are way to cheap to buy a youth auto, but then again those same dads would also be to cheap to buy 28 shells so it boils down to two types of dads.
Dads that buy auto loaders or dads that are from the get tough or die school of thought.