Been following the discussion on 1oz vs. 1 1/8 oz load for trap. I noticed several people chime in that they prefer 7/8 oz from the 16 yd line and do just fine with it. So my question is, why don’t you see/hear about more guys using 20 gauge for trap, especially at 16 yards? I’m asking because I am seriously considering going to 20 gauge for all my clays shooting, but the general consensus on this forum and others seems to be that 12 gauge and trap belong together, and that has me concerned. I should probably mention I’m just in this for fun - weekend warrior that rarely keeps score and no plans to compete.
Trap Load/Gauge Question
NCD2
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Been following the discussion on 1oz vs. 1 1/8 oz load for trap. I noticed several people chime in that they prefer 7/8 oz from the 16 yd line and do just fine with it. So my question is, why don’t you see/hear about more guys using 20 gauge for trap, especially at 16 yards? I’m asking because I am seriously considering going to 20 gauge for all my clays shooting, but the general consensus on this forum and others seems to be that 12 gauge and trap belong together, and that has me concerned. I should probably mention I’m just in this for fun - weekend warrior that rarely keeps score and no plans to compete.
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Another gun, different size ammo, personal preference. To each his own!
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Because the majority of trap guns offered with adjustable ribs, stocks etc are 12 guage. There are some, but very few compared to number of 12 ga trap guns. Trap loads are mostly 12 guage, leaving field frade shells for smaller gauges.
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And the price! But if you reload, you can justify reloading easier since you save more?
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One of the primary reasons to use 1 ounce or 7/8 ounce is recoil. 12GA guns are heavier and take a bigger bite out of the recoil equation. 20 ga guns tend to be one pound to two lighter than the 12 GA counterpart. If I am burning 100 to 200 shells in a day I will use reloaded 7/8 thru my 12GA.
I haven’t noticed a big difference in availability of 12 and 20, but I’ll admit I don’t look for 20 very often. 28 and .410 for sure, but 12 and 20 seem to be readily available.
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Most 20ga shotguns are lighter and recoil is greater. Never met someone who shoots better with a 20. It is your money so do what makes you happy.
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when my wife and I first bought shotguns, the guy in the store suggested a 20 gauge for my wife. Later we bought her a BT99 Compact. After shooting that for a while, she tried the 20G again and remarked how much more it hit her shoulder. Maybe there are heavier 20G's around but her's (Mossberg 500 Batum) is just much too light.
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As to the availability of trap guns in anything but 12 ga., there was a time when the ATA rulebook stated that a 12 GA at the Grand American was mandatory. I don't know how long it's been since that has changed, but when I started shooting registered targets in 1997, that was the case.
I started using a 20ga k-mart gun that my dad grew up with... small and light, great for the field. I moved to a mossberg 500 and then to my Citori. I will say the 20ga isnt much better than the mossberg and neither are close to the citori as far as recoil and fatigue go... i think with the right 20ga it could be ok but it wasnt for me
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As stated above . The 12ga trap gun will be heavier than a 20ga field gun . Go to the 12ga trap gun or you will need to make a 20ga trap gun . You need to find a heavy frame and then get a stock and fore end made to give you weight and fit . Just go to a 12ga trap gun .
and at this point, you have negated any real advantage of 20ga vs 12ga... if the gun is still going to be 8lbs then might as well go with a better supported cartridge for clays.
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Stahzee thats my point .............. Just go to a 12ga trap gun ...
Some 20 gauge guns have a thinner fore grip and pistol grip - makes them feel more nimble and another reason to consider a 20 over a 12.
Correct! but think the point that Amature and i are getting at is that 20 gauge guns are usually smaller and more nimble, but they tend to have a fair bit of recoil to them as they are so light. My 20 Gauge field gun is like 6 pounds or so. My 12ga trap gun is pushing 9 pounds. The 12ga gun recoils much lighter than the 20ga even though its a larger bore size. The way to get a 20Ga to shoot with less recoil is to make it heavier which defeats the original point of being lighter and more nimble.
Lots of people choose to hunt with sub gauges as they are far lighter and less cumbersome over the course of a hunting day. You might put 10-20 rounds down range all day and that would be a full day. Recoil isnt as big of a factor here. But for clay sports you may shoot 50-200+ rounds in a day and you dont want a hard hitting gun for that.
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