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12 GA. or 20GA. for Trap??
- Thread starter bobhwry
- Start date
You can certainly shoot trap with a 20, provided you've got a fairly long (28") barrel and modified or full choke. If you can find one (they're not common) I would think an improved-modified choke would be best.
I started out shooting trap with standard 12-gauge, 1-1/8oz loads of #7-1/2 shot. Once I started reloading, I went to 1oz loads of #8 shot. Could still break 25-straight, and it was easier on the shoulder. You can easily duplicate that in a 20, and the gun might be easier for you to handle.
Hope this helps you.
I started out shooting trap with standard 12-gauge, 1-1/8oz loads of #7-1/2 shot. Once I started reloading, I went to 1oz loads of #8 shot. Could still break 25-straight, and it was easier on the shoulder. You can easily duplicate that in a 20, and the gun might be easier for you to handle.
Hope this helps you.
ps--
Here's a link to some ammo that would work well for a 20-gauge at the trap range:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/67501-6661-2638.html
Here's a link to some ammo that would work well for a 20-gauge at the trap range:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/67501-6661-2638.html
Gauge does not affect kick. Load weight, speed and weapon weight do.
Many 20 gauge shotguns kick hard because while the payload is 7/8 oz or so, the thing weighs a good bit less than a similar shotgun in 12 gauge.
The Brits used to use The Rule Of 96. Basically, a sporting gun with good fit has to weigh 96 times the weight of the shot in order to not kick too hard or be too heavy to handle. It's a decent rule of thumb.
An oz of shot needs 6 lbs of shotgun by the rule.
What shotgun do you have?
A standard 12 can be fed the relatively new and soft kicking 7/8 oz loads. These are great for trap or skeet and are creampuffs to shoot.
While trap is considered a 12 gauge game, you can have fun with ANY shotgun. Just use a Mod or Full choke and go for the gusto....
Many 20 gauge shotguns kick hard because while the payload is 7/8 oz or so, the thing weighs a good bit less than a similar shotgun in 12 gauge.
The Brits used to use The Rule Of 96. Basically, a sporting gun with good fit has to weigh 96 times the weight of the shot in order to not kick too hard or be too heavy to handle. It's a decent rule of thumb.
An oz of shot needs 6 lbs of shotgun by the rule.
What shotgun do you have?
A standard 12 can be fed the relatively new and soft kicking 7/8 oz loads. These are great for trap or skeet and are creampuffs to shoot.
While trap is considered a 12 gauge game, you can have fun with ANY shotgun. Just use a Mod or Full choke and go for the gusto....
If you are shooting mostly 16 yard Trap, most any guage will work,, reasonably,,I shoot a lot of the 7/8 oz loads both for comfort and cost effectiveness. If you haven't settled in on a gun yet you also might want to consider a Rem 1100 or a Berreta 390 and family of 39X guns. They do a good job of soaking up some recoil and also function the 7/8 oz loads too. Best of luck in your search.