So here is my question, i'm a long time trap shooter, but always used an auto loader (my beloved '70's era 1100 trap), but this year i'm going to being trying an O/U (on extended loan to me from a fellow club member); my question is; since I've been watching closer, most people I've seen opt to shoot out of the bottom barrel. is there a particular reason for this ? or is it just personal preference ? . (the gun I will be using is an older Winchester Supreme Field with invector plus tubes)
Why bottom barrell ?
- Thread starter tch1717
- Start date
vagrantviking
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- High River, Alberta
Bottom barrel has the better pattern for trap?
I forget which is which but isn't the bottom barrel more open? Would also guess it would have less muzzle jump.
I forget which is which but isn't the bottom barrel more open? Would also guess it would have less muzzle jump.
just having some fun
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The bottom Barrel is closer to being in line with the stock and your shoulder = less muzzle rise
so in the older fixed choke guns the more open barrel is the lower (first barrel to shoot for the closer target)
top barrel = tighter choke = barrel you use for farther away targets
so in the older fixed choke guns the more open barrel is the lower (first barrel to shoot for the closer target)
top barrel = tighter choke = barrel you use for farther away targets
To be slightly technical, the bottom barrel has a lower bore-axis meaning the barrel is closer to the bottom of the frame and thus to your hand, also it will be more centrally located to the butt pad, this makes the recoil travel in a straight line into your shoulder, though the recoil isn't really any less, it seems so as it is transferred more efficiently.
The top barrel being higher than the rear of the butt stock, cause rotation, hence more muzzle jump, the stock rises as well "bumping" you more in the face making the recoil seem worse, despite it being the same.
The difference between the two barrels is minimal, but you might as well minimize any felt recoil that you can.
The top barrel being higher than the rear of the butt stock, cause rotation, hence more muzzle jump, the stock rises as well "bumping" you more in the face making the recoil seem worse, despite it being the same.
The difference between the two barrels is minimal, but you might as well minimize any felt recoil that you can.
Incorrect application of physics.
I've switched between bottom and top barrel and cant say I felt any difference is felt recoil or muzzle jump. Not disputing that it is real, just saying it is so subtle that I cant tell. Having said that, I shoot bottom barrel. Just seems like I shoot more consistently with the bottom. Could be my imagination too.
Jeeze, you guys looked way to far into this. I use the bottom barrel simply because it takes more shots for the barrel to warm up and make a mirage type of distortion in my "sight picture".
But bore axis and center of gravity sounds good to me too!
But bore axis and center of gravity sounds good to me too!
Well - The lesser "bending moment" reduces muzzle jump, but also reduces forces on the action. Over time. this should mean less wear on the hinges and locking bolt. However, the tradeoff is increased firing fin wear on the lower cylinder.
This is also why I use the bottom barrel. The top barrel acts as a heat sync and cools the bottom leaving no heat waves to distort the view down the barrel.
pei precision
CGN Regular
- Location
- sault saint marie ON
new to shotguns, coming from and exclusively do long range rifle, and my barrel has a life of about 4000 rounds before i need a new one, are shotguns the same? i assume its much longer tho
This is correct.
You are more likely to shoot more rounds from your first barrel and less from the second. The bottom barrel creates less "heat waves" (to be less technical) in the sight picture.
I thought it was a simple as the sequence of which barrel goes off when you pull the trigger for the first time, I think it is usually the bottom one on most o/u.
Mine has a double trigger and fixed chokes so I just use whatever trigger I want for the choke I need.
Mine has a double trigger and fixed chokes so I just use whatever trigger I want for the choke I need.
