Stoeger p350 pump action

[Tbutler]

I just bought 1 of these and it's fine with 2 3/4 but kicks like a mule with 3 1/2 steel shot I was wondering if any one has tried the mercury filled recoil reducer or can recomend a good recoil pad.

[catnthehat]

Limbsaver and use 3" ammo, you will kill just as many geese.
Cat

[u_cant_rope_the_wind]

most all 12 gauge 3 1/2 inch kick worse then a mule,
I have friends with 12ga 3 1/2 inch shotguns everyone of them use a past magnum recoil pad.
myself I just use a browning gold 10 gauge 3 1/2 inch
way less recoil then a 12 gauge 3 1/2
that's trying to copycat a pattern of a 10 gauge and failing miserably at it

[elkhunter11]

If you feel that you must use 3-1/2" ammunition, do yourself a favor and buy a gas operated semi auto. Myself, I have a gun that will handle 3-1/2" ammunition, but I certainly won't be shooting any. A person will kill far more geese shooting skeet or sporting clays in the off season, and hunting with 3" ammunition. than you will with no practice, and hunting with 3-1/2" ammunition.

[Tbutler]

Thanks guys. After the ammo I bought is gone that will be the last 3 1/2 I buy unfortunately I bought 2 boxs of kent fast steel in 3 1/2 . Live and learn I gess. I'll try a recoil pad and as soon as I can get ahold of Stoeger I'll get the recoil reducer as well. My wife tried it with 2 3/4 game load and don't like it at all bit many with a good recoil pad I can turn her around. After all the more she likes guns the more I can get with out excuses

[u_cant_rope_the_wind]

even the m3500 auto stoeger is devastating with 3 1/2 with the recoil reducer
the best gun I found to handle the 3 1/2 12 gauge is a browning maxus
and it still recoils more then a browning gold 10 ga or Remington sp mag 10/ or the old Ithica mag 10
but less then the church hill sxs 10 gauge
here is a good read about 3 1/2 12 gauge ammo which may explain why the 12 ga 3 1/2 kills at one end and wounds at the other
http://www.ballisticproducts.com/bpi.../GA1235K1.html

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Tbutler

Thanks guys. After the ammo I bought is gone that will be the last 3 1/2 I buy unfortunately I bought 2 boxs of kent fast steel in 3 1/2 . Live and learn I gess. I'll try a recoil pad and as soon as I can get ahold of Stoeger I'll get the recoil reducer as well. My wife tried it with 2 3/4 game load and don't like it at all bit many with a good recoil pad I can turn her around. After all the more she likes guns the more I can get with out excuses

Does the gun fit your wife? If it's too long for her it will be uncomfortable for her to shoot it. If you add a recoil pad that is longer than the stock pad, this could make the problem worse. instead of making it better. Once you have a gun that fits her, start with light target loads, to keep the recoil as light as possible. For smaller shooters, or shooters that are sensitive to recoil, I recommend that they go with a gas operated semi auto, to minimize recoil. If you shop around, you can find the Winchester SX-3 for under $1000, and good used ones run around $700-$800. They are soft shooting, and are very reliable. Spending money on a Stoeger to add a recoil reducer, isn't going to increase the resale value.

even the m3500 auto stoeger is devastating with 3 1/2 with the recoil reducer
the best gun I found to handle the 3 1/2 12 gauge is a browning maxus

Exactly, the Browning is gas operated, and the Stoeger is not.

[Tbutler]

Ya I know she liked my single shot 20g with 2 3/4 target loads and my 12g is way to long for her , but she wanted to try it so I let her. She wants to try my 7mm but I have been a little reserved about that one. But I don't want to scare her, my wife needs a youth model

[Tbutler]

A big thank you to Stoeger canada phoned about a recoil reducer that showed on line and turns out it's not available in canada but they have a steal rod that is there version and are shipping it out to me free of charge. You don't get that service any more.