12 vs 20 ga shot gun experience for trap shooting

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katanaa

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Hello everyone, I have a curious experience I would like to share. My wife and I are fairly new to shooting but I've learned a lot in the short time that we have been enjoying the past time. One thing I have learned in particular is the difference between shotguns and their intended applications. When we first got into the sport we didn't know anything so we asked a lot of questions regarding shotgun. Basically we were told that we should get a 20ga shotgun so that it would be comfortable for both my wife and I to shoot, and so we did. That started me on quite the adventure to find the right 20ga shotgun. I assumed that all guns would be the same and that the 20ga version would have less felt recoil. I was wrong. I've now shot about 7 different types of shotguns and the recoils are all similar with some of them but very different in a few. What I have found is that guns designed for hunting upland birds are built light weight so you can carry them all day and not be too tired from carrying a heavy gun around. So when you have a light weight gun in 20ga I have found that the felt recoil is equal to that of a heavier 12ga gun, assuming you are shooting the same type of shell, i.e., target loads. So after buying two different 20ga shotguns, trying to find one that would be comfortable for my wife to shoot, wouldn't you know it, she ended up liking the 12ga benelli super sport the most. I have now been able to find out from talking to enough people that shotguns made for hunting are going to have more felt recoil than guns made for trap or skeet. It was explained to me that when you go shoot skeet or trap, you will shoot at least 100 rounds in a day for a verifyable score vs. when you go hunting you might shoot 10 rounds in a good day. It makes sence when you think about it. If you are in a similar situation as me I would highly recomend trying as many different guns and types as you can before you buy one.
 
This is great information that is unfortunately not common knowledge for those new into the sport shooting game (or new to guns altogether).

From my experience, semi's generally have less recoil than an over and under. The weight of the gun is also a huge factor, as a heavier gun will absorb more recoil.

There are also recoil reduction systems built into newer guns, or available for aftermarket purchase.
 
X2 on good information. Of course, a light weight 12 ga shotgun like my Beretta Silver Pigeon gives some pretty decent recoil. My Citori on the other hand is heavier and much more manageable recoil wise. So, similar things can be said within the 12 ga class. But I do believe the 20's are generally lighter in build. What attracted me to the 20 was being able to shoot in 12 ga and 20 ga if I ever went to a skeet match. I think if I were going to shoot something other than a 12, which is my preference though, I would go to 28 guage. I'm really curious about them. The guage has a reputation of shooting a bit better than one might expect. I just might buy one if enough money comes along...I've got my lottery ticket for this month...you just never know;)
 
There is no question that a heavier gun of the same functional design can absorb recoil better, but it is even more important to choose your ammunition wisely. Simply choosing 2-3/4 dram loads instead of 3 dram loads can make a 12 gauge much more pleasant to shoot over the course of a day of shooting clay targets. For 12 gauges, I shoot a Citori XT for trap, and a Citori XS for skeet , but both are heavier than I like to carry all day hunting.I also own a Citori 20 gauge skeet, a 28gauge Citori Special Sporting Clays, that are easy on the shoulder for skeet shooting, but both are also light enough to carry for upland bird hunting. My 28 gauge Cynergy Feather is super light to carry for hunting, but I wouldn't subject the alloy receiver to the same volume of shooting as my other shotguns. As for the 28 gauge, the recoil is mild, and they are far more effective than many people realize, both for clay targets, and for hunting.
 
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Right about ammunition. I shoot 7/8 oz in the Beretta at around 1180 to 1200 ft/secand it definitely helps overcome recoil while still getting the job done. I have been thinking about getting a barrel mounted recoil reducer to slow the swing down a bit and cut the recoil even further.
 
Thanks guys, I'm currious to see how the 20ga super sport compares to the 12ga version. I've got my fingers crossed that it will be soft enough for my wife to want to shoot it. I forgot to mention too that when she tried out the super sport in the 12ga she started with a box of the federal brest cancer society rounds then when she ran out of those my buddy gave her another box of his hand load. What he failed to mention is that his hand load were hot loads. She did notice the difference but she just though she was getting tired. Oh and to put it into comparison too, when she shoots either of the shot guns we have now she can shoot 3 rounds before she is affraid to pull the trigger anymore, and with that super sport she tried, like I said earlier, she shot 50 rounds through it. I wish I had known that the semi-autos had softer recoil when I bough the first one.
 
BCFred said:
Right about ammunition. I shoot 7/8 oz in the Beretta at around 1180 to 1200 ft/secand it definitely helps overcome recoil while still getting the job done. I have been thinking about getting a barrel mounted recoil reducer to slow the swing down a bit and cut the recoil even further.
Click to expand...
X2!
I shoot relatively lightweight guns for the most part, and keep my 28's at 3/4oz. for targets, 7/8oz. for my 16 and 20's, and 1oz. for my 12 gauge as well.
I just recently have been able to shoot high volume 12 bore again, but in a load that is running about 1160FPS.
I have no problem breaking either skeet or trap birds in the upper percentage with these loads in any of these gauges, but a factory
1 1/8oz load out of a 12 bore will make me flinch bad enough within 5 shots to start missing every other bird!
My 16 weighs less than 6lbs. BTW, but in a light load I can shoot it all day.:)
Cat
 
i've always been a fan of the browning "light 20 double" 1 in the tube, one in the carrier, and mounted extremely quickly- however, strictly a one trick pony imo- i prefer the 12 for almost everything- but my 12 is an 1100
 
Every once in a while when I am feeling cheap and protective of my shot supply I load a batch of 3/4 oz. 12 gauge. I have not patterned them but they seem to shoot as well as I do on skeet targets and 16 yard trap. They also cycle in my 391 and make my XS a real pleasure.
 
Thanks guys! I appreciate the info on loading lighter loads. I have given that a lot of thought buy as I lack the time to make my own hand loads I'm not sure that is the right approach for me. It would be interesting and fun to try that some day, but not right now.

Good news though! We got our Benelli Super sport 20 ga in and my wife really likes it. All it needs now is the left handed butt plate and it will be perfect for her. She says it is defenitly better than the 12ga version was. Music to my ears! I was dreading that she would pick it up, shoot one round from it and say "I like the 12ga better".

I wanted to stick with the 20ga because we have another couple of 20ga's. I know, I know, variety is the spice of life. But I like to trap shoot as a social outting and right now not many of my friends have shotguns so I'm the one supplying the guns and ammo and it is just a lot easier for inventory management to have all the same size guns so I only have to keep stock of one size.

Besides If I can hit clays with the 20, no reason I can't with a 12. And I can shoot in the 12 guage class with my 20 if I want right?
 
Very informitive Thanks
I am shopping for a skeet/trap shotgun to share with my son so this will help.
I sort of knew all this information but didn't know I knew it until it was pointed out to me.

Dave
 
There are a number of things that affect felt recoil. Gun fit is the key factor. If you get any gun to fit better, the felt recoil will be less. Another factor is the weight of the gun. A 10 lb. clay target gun will absorb more recoil than a 6 lb. field gun. The third major factor is the amount of shot you are putting out the end of the barrel and how fast it is going. The amount of shot is the biggest factor.

Most 20 gauge gun stocks are set up in a field configuration and are therefore designed for a quick move to the shoulder and are less comfortable for target shooting.

Any time that you can improve the fit of the stock, you will see a significant difference in the amount of felt recoil.
 
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