Subsonic vs low-recoil shotshel

[TheOtherLeft]

Hi guys,

I have a Stoeger Coachgun for CAS and need to find 12G shotshell. Everyone says to buy Winchester Featherlite/Winlite but no one stocks it here in Australia.

Some shops stock either low recoil (approx 1200 fps) or subsonic (<1000 fps). I thought they were the same thing but it seems not.

What is the "felt" difference, and should I be buying low recoil or subsonic? We all wear ear protection so subsonic may not be relevant???

[Pettifogger]

Partially depends on the weight of the shot.  I have shot the 7/8 oz Remington reduced recoil loads at 1200 fps and they had significantly more recoil than the Winchester feather lights with 26 grams of shot (right between 7/8 and 1 ounce) at 980 fps and they had a noticeably lower recoil.  I would go with subsonic.  Subsonic certainly does not mean they don't make as much noise.  They make plenty of noise and you will still need your ear plugs.

[Trailrider]

Hi guys,
I have a Stoeger Coachgun for CAS and need to find 12G shotshell. Everyone says to buy Winchester Featherlite/Winlite but no one stocks it here in Australia.
Some shops stock either low recoil (approx 1200 fps) or subsonic (<1000 fps). I thought they were the same thing but it seems not.
What is the "felt" difference, and should I be buying low recoil or subsonic? We all wear ear protection so subsonic may not be relevant???

The "felt recoil" will depend on the pressure vs time curve of the propellant. But generally, if the weight of the shot in both loads is the same, or quite close, then the lower velocity should give you the "lighter" load.  Recoil (F) = 1/2 the weight of the shot times the square of the velocity. (Dont' worry about the units, just compare the numbers between the two loads.)  As an offhand guess, I'd go with the low velocity shells.  BTW, Winchester now calls the "FeatherLites" "Low Noise-Low Recoil", with a 7/8 oz. shot load. They may still have the feather shown on the box and the shell bodies.

[Abilene]

...  BTW, Winchester now calls the "FeatherLites" "Low Noise-Low Recoil", with a 7/8 oz. shot load. They may still have the feather shown on the box and the shell bodies.

Since Winchester redesigned their AA boxes, the Low Noise Low Recoil shells no longer have the yellow feather on the box, but the shells do still have the feather on them.  Product number is still AA12FL8

[Red Cent]

Another "trick" to tone down "felt" recoil is to have someone lenghten the forcing cones. Most doubles have an abrupt cone for the wad/shot to enter causing a spike in pressure. While the forcing cone mod does not decrease the top pressure, it spreads out the pressure curve and will reduce felt recoil.
I have done a number. Some I have backbored all the way through. That opens up a hole that is a nominal .729 to around .740. Reduces friction and will produce velocity gains from low velocity shells.
http://rifleshooter.com/2013/02/extended-shotgun-forcing-cone/

Most expensive trap and skeet shotguns are lengthened and back bored to about 4" short of the end of the barrel. This has been documented to provide better shot pattern and reduce felt recoil. And this is a controversial subject.

I built a Baikal 12 gauge with all of the above (backbored all the way through) and very light loads and a 10 year old female loved it. 'Course handloading is a nother subject.