3 gun questions

[aippi]

Would a shotgun with 23" barrel and a nine shot capacity be an advantage in this type of competion?

Would an eight round shell holder be to much?

Would an eight round receiver mounted shell holder and a six round stock mounted be to much?

[gmeister]

If I understand the rules correctly, in Limited or Heavy Metal Division, you can run 8+1. In Open Division you can run 10+1 on the shotgun. It depends on which division you plan to compete in.

I suggest running shell caddies on your belt as they are faster to reload from (with practice). You probably need to have ~16 shells on your person to reload from during a stage. You can never have too much ammo though.

[Sicarius]

I run Limited and I have a 9 round tube. I load 8 in the box and after the buzzer I load 1 off the side saddle. In addition I have 4, 4 round caddies on my belt 7 round side saddle and a 9 round forearm shell carrier. The forearm carrier is a last ditch effort but I have had to use it occasionally. Look into the 4x4 shell carrier. They are pretty slick and keeps your muscle memory to load from 2 spots instead of 4 wrapping around your waist.
Kevin

[aippi]

I should add it is not for me. It is a build I am considering for a client who asked. I have 23" Rem Choke barrels with fiber Optic sights and they have been sitting in the shop for awhile. I know there are quality +5 tubes out there that would end flush with barrel so that would be 9+1. What I don't know is if these barrels are to long heavy for this type of shooting. Would this weapon even be viable for this?

[icedevil]

What I don't know is if these barrels are to long heavy for this type of shooting. Would this weapon even be viable for this?

23" barrel is not too long. Most of the top guys run 21-24" barrels and you frequently see 26". The top guys have also gone away from gun mounted shell holders in favor of belt caddies, but as long as the gun runs loaded up with all the weight (some recoil operated guns won't) there is no reason receiver and stock shell holders couldn't be used.

[Sicarius]

23 will be right at home, especially if you are going for an 8 or 9 round tube. People say that 21 is ideal but that is subjective. Vent rib with a fiber optic is extremely popular for quick target aquisition. Ghost rings are a bit busy but are great for slugs. I use the side saddle as a last ditch effort. I load 1 off the side saddle right after the buzzer to give me 9 in the tube but the side saddle is only used if I expend everything on my belt... usually a bad day for me. As for a stock mounted shell holder, I have never seen one used in competition. It is just too much movement and too hard to manipulate for 1 shell at a time to be competitive. They are better off getting a caddie for the belt. At the slowest, you are idealy loading 1 shell a second to give you a time frame. Often times faster... The shooting portion in this type of competition is the easy part. The loading and counting your rounds/preparing your shells to not run dry is the hard part. What type of shotgun is it? Benelli's are particular about its weight with the inertia system it has. I have not had any issue with a 9 round tube, surefire forend and 7 round side saddle but I have seen others with less that are fairly picky... especially when it comes to light loads. Mine won't cycle winchester walyworld bulk pack reliably... Federal is no problem what so ever...
Kevin

[aippi]

Thanks Sicarius and others - This will be an 870 with a 23" Rem Choke barrel with Modified Rem Choke, with fiber Optic Rifle sights, Mesa LEO stock with Enindine Buffer and M-4 Limbsaver pad, Nordic five shot tube extension and either an 8 or 6 rd Mesa Side Saddle on the left side and a 4 rd if wanted on the right side. Having no knowledge of this form of competion shooting I was clueless as to if this would be an effective weapon for this.

[Sicarius]

Pumps are very effective in competition. It definately takes more skill but for somebody that knows how to use one, they hardly get rolled on. Shooting is the easy part. Honestly the standard rifle stock is what you typically see in competition. It gives the shooter more leverage for the reload. With the pistol grip, you have to tuck the stock under your arm or pull it into your shoulder to not strain your wrist so much. In the event that the shooter also has to take their strong hand off the grip, it is extra movement to come behind the grip to grasp the pistol grip again. With the standard stock, you just follow the lines of the shotgun and grasp.
Kevin