trap with a 20 gauge?

[ThE_LoNgShOt]

hey, everyone.... I'd like to get into shooting trap, and I'm just curious how many of you guys shoot trap with a 20 gauge? I've got a Mossberg Silver Reserve 20 gauge O/U with a 26" barrel that works magically for upland game birds, but I'm not sure about how it will fair for trap...so here's my situation. I would like to compete a little bit, but probably not to the point that I'm going to spend 5k + on trap gun. my question is, can you be competitive (again, I'm talking about local shooting with regular, non-professional types) with a 20 gauge? I've been shooting my Mossberg for about five years now, and I'm really comfortable with it. also, what would be a good 20 gauge trap load? I'm certain I could do some searching and find a thread in here somewhere, but maybe you won't mind me bringing the topic up again? thanks for any thoughts / advice on the subject..

[RayPDA]

If you're shooting well with it, why not? I've only used a 20ga once for a shoot, and I wouldn't mind doing it again. I do shoot the 20s every so often for fun - if you're doing your part and breaking those birds, makes no difference if the clay is hit with a 12 or 20.

7/8 to 1oz of 7.5 or 8s are good for 16yd singles work.

Winchester AAs are made in a variety of 20ga loadings, including:

20 Gauge 2-3/4" 7/8 oz. # 8 1,200 fps

20 Gauge 2-3/4" 1 oz. # 7-1/2 1165 fps

20 Gauge 2-3/4" 1 oz. # 8 1165 fps

The Walmart Federal Top Gun Target loads work fine too. Don't have to worry too much about loadings..just get out there and shoot

[sargenv]

I used a 20 ga Topper Model H&R plain barrel to nearly beat a guy shooting a BT99 trap gun.. needless to say he was a little upset.. as I recall, we were shooting 16 yards.. I shot a 21, he shot a 22.. It can be done.. there is just less room for error.

[BigDogatPlay]

I see quite a few people, and not just juniors or women, shooting 20's lately. As noted above there is a good selection of loads out there for it and many are relatively inexpensive.

I used a 20 ga Topper Model H&R plain barrel to nearly beat a guy shooting a BT99 trap gun.. needless to say he was a little upset.. as I recall, we were shooting 16 yards.. I shot a 21, he shot a 22.. It can be done.. there is just less room for error.

Proof once again that it's not the gun, it's the durned fool behind it. Good on you!

[ThE_LoNgShOt]

If you're shooting well with it, why not? I've only used a 20ga once for a shoot, and I wouldn't mind doing it again. I do shoot the 20s every so often for fun - if you're doing your part and breaking those birds, makes no difference if the clay is hit with a 12 or 20.

7/8 to 1oz of 7.5 or 8s are good for 16yd singles work.

Winchester AAs are made in a variety of 20ga loadings, including:

20 Gauge 2-3/4" 7/8 oz. # 8 1,200 fps

20 Gauge 2-3/4" 1 oz. # 7-1/2 1165 fps

20 Gauge 2-3/4" 1 oz. # 8 1165 fps

The Walmart Federal Top Gun Target loads work fine too. Don't have to worry too much about loadings..just get out there and shoot

thanks for the good info, Ray... of the loads you listed above, which would you shoot?

[JagerDog]

I shoot mostly 20 and don't feel handicapped from the 16 line.

[rumblebee]

If you're smacking the birds (upland game) with a 20g right now, then you'll do fine at trap. As another member wrote, don't worry about the loads, just get out there and enjoy. I use the wally world bulk 12g 100 packs (federal\winchester) and they work well

[ThE_LoNgShOt]

If you're smacking the birds (upland game) with a 20g right now, then you'll do fine at trap. As another member wrote, don't worry about the loads, just get out there and enjoy. I use the wally world bulk 12g 100 packs (federal\winchester) and they work well

yeah, I don't have any trouble with Quail / Pheasant / chukar / dove with the 20 gauge. I actually like the slightly smaller size of the 20 gauge. thanks for the advice, time to step up to the line and dust some clays!!!

[Capybara]

I think 20 ga. is great for trap unless you are shooting handicap or a lot of doubles. Then it is doable but you have to have quicker reaction times IMHO. Some shooters are on the bird quickly, others are slow pokes and wait a relatively long time to shoot. The slow pokes might find shooting a 20 ga. more challenging, but that is a bad habit anyway. Usually the best trap shooters I shoot with are quick on the bird, which really helps them when we shoot handicap, doubles or international.

Dan

[ThE_LoNgShOt]

I think 20 ga. is great for trap unless you are shooting handicap or a lot of doubles. Then it is doable but you have to have quicker reaction times IMHO. Some shooters are on the bird quickly, others are slow pokes and wait a relatively long time to shoot. The slow pokes might find shooting a 20 ga. more challenging, but that is a bad habit anyway. Usually the best trap shooters I shoot with are quick on the bird, which really helps them when we shoot handicap, doubles or international.

Dan

I've got pretty good reaction time, and am usually on "real" birds quickly.... I assume I'll do the same with clays.

[coyotebait]

My 11 year old son just earned his shot gun shooting merit badge shooting trap with a 20 gauge........ This was his first time EVER shooting a shot gun too. Oh, and he was using a youth model 870, so your o/u will be more than adequate.

[bug_eyedmonster]

You should have no problem shooting trap with a 20 gauge, my girlfriend learned with a semi auto 20, and shot two local matches with it as well. The only time she had a problem was with handicap, she was having a hard time with it because she had never tried it before and did not know how much more to lead. As others have stated, if you are hitting birds, you should have no problem with clays! Good luck and have fun!

Jerry

[ThE_LoNgShOt]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback... Sounds like it's time to go bust some clays!!!

[rumblebee]

Have fun!

Thanks to everyone for the feedback... Sounds like it's time to go bust some clays!!!