Simple Hack to lessen recoil and improve shotgun accuracy

If you own an old single-shot, break-action 12 gauges then you know they aren’t very accurate and the recoil is enough to leave you sore black and bruised. There are ways improve this shotgun to make it better and actually make it more enjoyable to shoot with.

There is a section of the gun called the forcing cone. This area is in the barrel of the gun, just in front of the chamber. The forcing cone is slightly taper down to the rest of the bore and is normally less than an inch in length. Its job is to force the shot down to the size of the rest of the bore, this can be a very sharp angle. Read the rest of the article here.

Same here. I’ve used single shots many times, only saw one that was not accurate, and after checking it out, discovered the barrel was bent. It shot way low every time. Consistent, but a slightly bent barrel made it useless.

Every other single shot I’ve ever use was very good. I used my grandmother’s 410 for years, never saw a better squirrel and rabbit gun. Also got a few quail, dove and ducks even.

That’s one thing that I had to be careful about, I came from a long line of hunters, and my grandparents raised 8 kids through the depression. Ammo was cheap by today’s standards, but an extra nickel in 1935 for .22 ammo was not easy to come by. So you didn’t miss. Ever. Grounds for a whipping...I was not allowed to go in the woods until I could hit a .22 cartridge box every shot at about 30 yards. That was a strict rule. If I took 10 shots, I had to hit the box 10 times. Period. I went on my first squirrel hunting trip at age 9. Limit was 8, when my father handed me 9 shells for the 410 I asked him what the extra shell was for. In case you have to shoot a snake...If they heard 4 shots I damn well better bring in 4 squirrels or my ass was wearing stripes...

So I know quite well, a single shot is very accurate. I’ve used that 410 and several 12 gauge and the one 20 gauge with a bad barrel. I’d still have it if I could have found a replacement barrel but the internet didn’t exist then. It was the only shotgun I ever saw that would not hit a target. The only exceptions we were allowed were doves and the occasional duck shot, both definitely hard to hit no matter how good you are. We got some leeway on those. Better not miss anything else, and I usually had the only single shot in the group. I never ended up wearing stripes on my butt...

I have a very old 12 gauge H&R now, last patent date is around 1899 or 1901, it’s not only accurate but has a very long full choke barrel and gets better range than most. Had to put it away about 10 years ago, the hinge pin is too loose and the barrel can be moved side to side when it’s locked in place, I decided it was no longer safe to shoot and it’s a wall hanger now. Sure miss that one...does kick pretty good, but a recoil pad helps a lot.

I think the best thing about a single shot is it will make you a better shot. With a pump or semi auto, you have 2 (in Louisiana) or 4 (everywhere else) extra rounds if you miss. With a single shot you have one chance, you learn to make the best of it. I learned on a single shot .22 rifle, still have one. Great little piece, short style Stevens/Springfield Model 16 made around WWII as best I can tell. First round I ever fired pegged a beer can at about 40 yards. Then I sighted it in...

Other states may limit shotgun capacity, Louisiana is the only one I’ve lived in. Maximum 3 rounds total, chamber and magazine. (except for cops) In Texas it’s whatever the gun will hold. My 16 gauge holds 5 so I had to make a plug when I lived in Louisiana. Wooden dowel cut to the length of 2 shells, installed so it cannot be removed without totally disassembling the gun. Don’t get caught without it...

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