Ditto that. When I had the smithy install the recoil pad on my double, I asked him to add 1/2" to the length-of-pull. It made a world of difference for my shooting. If it doesn't fit right, you'll never be able to shoot it well, regardless if it's a SxS, O/U, pump, semi, or single. The single most important thing is that what ever you decide on, make sure it fits.
Double Barrel?
- Thread starter Grizzly Adams
- Start date
Ditto that. When I had the smithy install the recoil pad on my double, I asked him to add 1/2" to the length-of-pull. It made a world of difference for my shooting. If it doesn't fit right, you'll never be able to shoot it well, regardless if it's a SxS, O/U, pump, semi, or single. The single most important thing is that what ever you decide on, make sure it fits.
Grizzly Adams
Inactive
Great advice all. It usually takes me at least a half hour of trying up to 10 different pair to find a pair of shoes that fit. I suspect finding a shotgun that "fits" is even more "hit and miss" (pun intended)
Will try as many as I can without becoming a PITA.
Thanks
Will try as many as I can without becoming a PITA.
Thanks
Grizzly--
If you have access to a trap range, I'd be willing to bet the members there would be willing to let you try their trapguns. I know I have. You might have to join the Amateur Trapshooting Association http://www.shootata.com/, and fill out a form. Leave it on the desk and someone will sponsor you. Like most shooting sports, there's a camaradie between all of us. Best luck to you!
If you have access to a trap range, I'd be willing to bet the members there would be willing to let you try their trapguns. I know I have. You might have to join the Amateur Trapshooting Association http://www.shootata.com/, and fill out a form. Leave it on the desk and someone will sponsor you. Like most shooting sports, there's a camaradie between all of us. Best luck to you!
I wouldn't worry about the 12 v 20 gauge. Both are excellent and will do what you want them to do, bust clays.
I remember when I bought my 20 gauge and brought it out, all my friends with their 12 gauges gave me grief. Or at least until I outshot them in every round with "less gun".
Whatever you end up deciding on, I hope you have lots of happy trips to the range with it.
I remember when I bought my 20 gauge and brought it out, all my friends with their 12 gauges gave me grief. Or at least until I outshot them in every round with "less gun".
Whatever you end up deciding on, I hope you have lots of happy trips to the range with it.
Daves-got-guns
New member
never shot a sxs for trap, but i sure would love to try it! easy, light swinging reciever with 24" barrels in 20 gauge would be a killer trap gun. I have scene 1 guy do it at my gun club, and while he wasnt great he did hold his own, i myself love to go out there and keep up or beat all these guys with their $1000+ autoloaders, i even like to beat guys with "lesser" atuoloaders with my old pump gun! Also have a o/u silver reserve that fits perfect in my shoulder, and my cheek-comb fit and i can blast clay pigeons with it all day. Trap shooting is a fun, semi non competitive sport to me and without it i would probably go insane!
Greetings from a NY expatriate.
Trap was great fun up there - possibly even more so than Texas as we lack the climate and resources for the clambakes that were common at informal shoots in NY. At least that was the case in the northeast (Plattsburgh) and west (Rochester). One assumes the Albany area wouldn't be much different.
I started off with a used 12Ga pump of indeterminant heritage and after deciding I liked the game (didn't take long), got an 870TB - scores immediately improved.
So I'll be voice of dissent: A really good pump trap gun beats the snickers out of double-barrel not-a-trap-gun, IF the objective is shooting trap. The 870 trap is still available but used examples of the TB and TC pop up with attractive pricing every so often - I replaced my TB for 350.00 not too long ago.
I eventually wound up with an O/U but the 870 still acquits itself well and I prefer it for straight trap as opposed to SC. If you do get into the game, the lesser doubles will be a stepping stone, likely sold at a loss at some point, whereas the trap pump will continue to perform.
Trap was great fun up there - possibly even more so than Texas as we lack the climate and resources for the clambakes that were common at informal shoots in NY. At least that was the case in the northeast (Plattsburgh) and west (Rochester). One assumes the Albany area wouldn't be much different.
I started off with a used 12Ga pump of indeterminant heritage and after deciding I liked the game (didn't take long), got an 870TB - scores immediately improved.
So I'll be voice of dissent: A really good pump trap gun beats the snickers out of double-barrel not-a-trap-gun, IF the objective is shooting trap. The 870 trap is still available but used examples of the TB and TC pop up with attractive pricing every so often - I replaced my TB for 350.00 not too long ago.
I eventually wound up with an O/U but the 870 still acquits itself well and I prefer it for straight trap as opposed to SC. If you do get into the game, the lesser doubles will be a stepping stone, likely sold at a loss at some point, whereas the trap pump will continue to perform.
Daves-got-guns
New member
haha, i just remembered something that happened at the gun range once, and i thought i would share. There was this older gal who had a o/u looking to be from the early 80's didnt even have a selector switch and was made in italy or something. Well she was shooting it and she had it dialed in for awhile, and then it would switch between the barrels at random times. So after she started loading 2 into the gun... it doubled on her! and damn near knocked her over. Well after that she stuck with 1 in the gun, live and learn.
A few comments from my experience.
Try shooting SKEET and Sporting Clays/5 Stand. I have always found Skeet shooters to be more sociable and more willing to offer advice/guns to shoot. Skeet because of the layout means all the shooters are in close proximity during the round, Trap has the shooters separated. Besides, Trap shooters are grumpy.
Try all the sports, you may find one more enjoyable.
Get a lesson first! Just because you are a guy and shoot does not give you expertise. Having a pro show you how to stand, mount and look for targets, and how to lead the target is a key to enjoying the sport.
If you like the feel of a particular O/U or SXS, take it to a gunfitter and have it fitted. Once you have shot for a time this will become apparent to you.
It amazes me how rifle and pistol competitors will spend thousands on equipment,sights,stocks etc for a gun originally costing under $1000, and shotgunners won't spend $300 on a fitting for an $8000 shotgun. Even pumps and autos can be "fitted". Beretta includes wedges with it's Clays Autos to allow alterations in cast and drop.
Buy a reloader! You will need it.
Try shooting SKEET and Sporting Clays/5 Stand. I have always found Skeet shooters to be more sociable and more willing to offer advice/guns to shoot. Skeet because of the layout means all the shooters are in close proximity during the round, Trap has the shooters separated. Besides, Trap shooters are grumpy.
Try all the sports, you may find one more enjoyable.
Get a lesson first! Just because you are a guy and shoot does not give you expertise. Having a pro show you how to stand, mount and look for targets, and how to lead the target is a key to enjoying the sport.
If you like the feel of a particular O/U or SXS, take it to a gunfitter and have it fitted. Once you have shot for a time this will become apparent to you.
It amazes me how rifle and pistol competitors will spend thousands on equipment,sights,stocks etc for a gun originally costing under $1000, and shotgunners won't spend $300 on a fitting for an $8000 shotgun. Even pumps and autos can be "fitted". Beretta includes wedges with it's Clays Autos to allow alterations in cast and drop.
Buy a reloader! You will need it.
never shot trap but for sporting clays the advantange to a double is you can have different chokes depending on the station your at. for skeet I don't change chokes but my o/u has extractors that lift the hulls making it easy to just drop them in my hull bag . my club ask that you pick up your hulls and reload the machines when done this doesn't always happen but it's not a perfect world . Good Luck
Daves-got-guns
New member
my club all you have to do is pick up the hulls. I show up early sometimes, and i dont usually help out but i will throw some help their way if i think its needed. 5 stand is perfect for doubles of any sort, and my o/u would take the cake if i took some time to check poi at the different ranges, and i think i have a killer choke set up right now first one being a cylinder, second being a skeet choke, or something of the like. Dont even use the bottom barrel for trap really, it hits bout a half inch low so i have to aim alittle over the top.