5 of the best game shotguns for ladies

As with any new endeavour, a great first day on the peg is key to shooting becoming a longstanding part of one's lifestyle. Unfortunately, for many years, having that great first day on the peg was particularly challenging if you were a lady. Leaving aside the probabilty of being patronsied (stories abound!), the biggest barrier to having a fun day might have been the lack of suitable guns for women. Owing to the differences between mens' and ladies' physiques - higher cheekbones, longer necks, smaller build - most off-the-shelf shotguns were a poor fit, resulting in increased felt-recoil, bruising, and, perhaps most importantly, less accurate shooting!

Happily, as more and more women are taking up shooting, gunmakers are increasingly recongnising the need for guns made specifically with women in mind, and there are a wealth of great options. I spoke to the guys at Premier Guns, who are experts in ladies' guns and fitting, and who work closely with Country Girls UK, to find out what they think are the top five game guns for ladies. 

"Gun fit is often more of an issue when it comes to ladies," says Matt Morgan, Director of Premier Guns, "but it is so important to get right, especially if you're just getting into shooting. A poor gunfit can cause inconsistent gunmount, which not only hinders your ability to shoot well, but can even cause long-term pain and discomfort. Here are five guns that I think are great options for ladies beginning their shooting journey."

Best game shotguns for ladies under £1000

KOFS Septre Youth - 20 or 28 gauge - from £539.95

Turkish gunmakers Kofs' lightweight alloy action, the 13.5" stock and the higher comb - not to mention the excellent price - make this an ideal starter gun for ladies looking to get out on the peg. For this kind of money, you're not expecting the world, but the quality of the oil-finished wood is very good, while the scrollwork engraving is tastefully done.

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ATA SP Ladies Universal 12 gauge - from £625.00

"This superb new ladies' ATA is a real game changer," says Matt. For less than £700 you get nicely figured oil-finished Turkish walnut woodwork with a Monte Carlo stock, perfect for a 'head up' shooting position, and the 14" stock with reduced pitch on the buttpad is ideal for ladies' smaller build. "Its a great mid-weight all-rounder" adds Matt.

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Best customisable ladies' game gun

Winchester Select Light Custom Lady II 28" - from £1,295.00

The Winchester's lightweight action makes the gun easier to handle, while the backbored barrels help keep recoil to a minimum. The stock comes with an adjustable comb and pad plate guaranteeing a perfect fit, while the recoil pad itself is made with no toe, to make the gunmount more comfortable. Fully customisable, these guns start from around £1200, and they come with nicely figured woodwork and beautiful gamescene engraving. 

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Best all-rounder game gun for ladies

Beretta Silver Pigeon I Vittoria Field 12 and 20 gauge - from £1,695.00

This medium-weight all-rounder is a gret value dedicated ladies' gun, built on Beretta's extremely reliable and bomb-proof 680 series action. In terms of woodwork, you get a 13 and three quarter inch Monte Carlo stock with a small-radius pistol-grip, making it perfect for smaller frames and smaller hands. The coin-finished action features tasteful lasercut modern scrollwork.

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Best ladies' game gun for high bird shooting

Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon III Vittoria Sporting 12 gauge 30” - from £2,495.00

(Coming soon) As with the previously mentioned Silver Pigeon I, this Beretta offering benefits from a shorter stock and a smaller grip, but also has the additional advantage of an adjustable comb, giving an even better fit. The extra length in the barrels and the additional weight make it ideal for anyone looking to tackle taller driven birds using chunkier cartridges.

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Experts in ladies' guns

Premier Guns carry a large number of ladies' guns, and offer a free fitting with every gun, so if none of the above appeal, do make sure you visit them for expert advice. Their try-before-you-buy policy ensures that you'll be confident that you're leaving with the perfect gun for you and your shooting style.