ninepointer
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Central Ontario
I'm thinking of a 20 ga. as a starter gun to introduce kids/women to trap. But with its smaller shot payload, would a 20 ga. be too much of a handicap?
20 ga. as starter gun for trap?
- Thread starter ninepointer
- Start date
Beretta687EELL
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
IMHO, I would not use a 20 gauge. There are many more loads available for the 12 gauge. I would look at a 1 oz. lower velocity shell in 12 gauge to lower recoil as opposed to going to a 20 gauge.
20 ga
No, stay away,from 20 ga. Nothing wrong with them fine gun, just not the gun for trap. Your new shooter will out grow it in no time.
If recoil is what your trying to reduce, try some one ounce or 7/8 ounce loads. These can hard to find in factory loads, but they are around.
That way a younger shooter can grown into the gun.
What is more important is the gun fit have the stock shortened to fit them right. Also a good recoil pad is worth the money.
I have coached many young shooters starting out, and all that have bought a 20 ga have traded it later.
No, stay away,from 20 ga. Nothing wrong with them fine gun, just not the gun for trap. Your new shooter will out grow it in no time.
If recoil is what your trying to reduce, try some one ounce or 7/8 ounce loads. These can hard to find in factory loads, but they are around.
That way a younger shooter can grown into the gun.
What is more important is the gun fit have the stock shortened to fit them right. Also a good recoil pad is worth the money.
I have coached many young shooters starting out, and all that have bought a 20 ga have traded it later.
As a fairly new female trap shooter I did start out with a 20g semi. It was light, the right price and an easy turn over gun if it turned out i hated it.
I don't regret it one bit but I also agree with others that if they get into it quite a bit, they will want a 12g in no time. I just bought a BT-99 because handicap was "handicapping" me!!! I was still hitting them but at 23 yards, full choke I had to be dead on to get the clays. When i tried the 12g it was much easier. I also have a recoil reducer on mine and it made a difference, but the biggest difference was making it fit right. a few tweeks and the gun shot completely different for me, very comfy!!!!!
I don't regret it one bit but I also agree with others that if they get into it quite a bit, they will want a 12g in no time. I just bought a BT-99 because handicap was "handicapping" me!!! I was still hitting them but at 23 yards, full choke I had to be dead on to get the clays. When i tried the 12g it was much easier. I also have a recoil reducer on mine and it made a difference, but the biggest difference was making it fit right. a few tweeks and the gun shot completely different for me, very comfy!!!!!
Unless the new shooter is physically too small/weak to handle a 12 guage, the previous posters are correct. Usually we consider 20 gauge because of the impression that the recoil and the weight will be reduced. The weight of a 20 ga is, in fact, usually lower. But, that's the very reason why they are not the right choice.
Felt recoil is a factor of the energy released by the shell vs. the weight of the gun. When we use a lighter gun, such as a properly scaled-frame 20 ga., we actually INCREASE the felt recoil by reducing the weight of the gun absorbing the energy from the discharge of the shell. If the shooter is about 15 yrs or older, they can usually manage the weight of a 12 guage. Using the lightest loads available for the 12 gauge will give them a softer-shooting gun with a generous pattern to help build confidence.
Also, while upland hunting guns should be light and lively to enhance quick pointing, clays guns should be heavier, to promote a smooth swing and absorb more recoil energy. The snappy recoil of a light field gun isn't as much of an issue due to the lower number of shots taken and the longer recovery time between shots in the field. Conversely, target shooting involves higher numbers of shells fired and much shorter times between shots.
ALWAYS encourage new shooters to hold the shotgun tightly against their shoulder. Once a bruise gets started by loosely mounting the gun to the shoulder, every subsequent shot painfully expands the bruise and detracts from the enjoyment of the experience.
I always recommend single shot guns for beginners (or loading only one shot at a time in repeaters). This has two benefits - better safety (they can't spin around with a loaded gun to celebrate a hit) and building better habits (not relying on the second shot). Where recoil is especially a problem, gas-operated semi-auto shotguns can be used to absorb even more energy.
Double triggered doubleguns are the best choice in the field, primarily for instant choke selection, but single trigger doubles offer faster, more consistent second shots at clay sports.
Felt recoil is a factor of the energy released by the shell vs. the weight of the gun. When we use a lighter gun, such as a properly scaled-frame 20 ga., we actually INCREASE the felt recoil by reducing the weight of the gun absorbing the energy from the discharge of the shell. If the shooter is about 15 yrs or older, they can usually manage the weight of a 12 guage. Using the lightest loads available for the 12 gauge will give them a softer-shooting gun with a generous pattern to help build confidence.
Also, while upland hunting guns should be light and lively to enhance quick pointing, clays guns should be heavier, to promote a smooth swing and absorb more recoil energy. The snappy recoil of a light field gun isn't as much of an issue due to the lower number of shots taken and the longer recovery time between shots in the field. Conversely, target shooting involves higher numbers of shells fired and much shorter times between shots.
ALWAYS encourage new shooters to hold the shotgun tightly against their shoulder. Once a bruise gets started by loosely mounting the gun to the shoulder, every subsequent shot painfully expands the bruise and detracts from the enjoyment of the experience.
I always recommend single shot guns for beginners (or loading only one shot at a time in repeaters). This has two benefits - better safety (they can't spin around with a loaded gun to celebrate a hit) and building better habits (not relying on the second shot). Where recoil is especially a problem, gas-operated semi-auto shotguns can be used to absorb even more energy.
Double triggered doubleguns are the best choice in the field, primarily for instant choke selection, but single trigger doubles offer faster, more consistent second shots at clay sports.
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My wife started with an 870 in 20 gauge for Trap. Bought it in July. By October, she bought her own 12 gauge pump at an auction...and found her scores increased, and with light Trap loads it was not too bad...(she has a shoulder pad on her vest.)
Christmas rolls around and I got her a Browning Sporting Clays Gold in 12 gauge (semi-auto). It recoils less than her 20 gauge, and she loves.
If you have the choice between 12 or 20 gauge, a semi-auto 12 will reduce recoil enough for most people to handle it and enjoy.
Christmas rolls around and I got her a Browning Sporting Clays Gold in 12 gauge (semi-auto). It recoils less than her 20 gauge, and she loves.
If you have the choice between 12 or 20 gauge, a semi-auto 12 will reduce recoil enough for most people to handle it and enjoy.
All these guys are right on the money. Start with a "trap" gun, light loads, a good vest, and you will be fine. My daughter shot my BT99 but settled on my Win SX1 because there is slightly less felt recoil.
They will break more targets with more lead - AKA 12 ga!
They will break more targets with more lead - AKA 12 ga!
Got Juice?
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Peoples Republik of Kanukkistan
Buy her a Cynergy composite. with 1oz loads to 1100fps spec, there will be hardly any recoil.
My ex GF of about 110lbs would shoot round after round with it, and never bruised at all.
Mind you i did have to do some work to th ecynergy recoil pad to make the LOP suitable for her smaller frame.
Bottom line, if the gun fits and is mounted correctly, they will not damage themselves with this load.
My ex GF of about 110lbs would shoot round after round with it, and never bruised at all.
Mind you i did have to do some work to th ecynergy recoil pad to make the LOP suitable for her smaller frame.
Bottom line, if the gun fits and is mounted correctly, they will not damage themselves with this load.
- Location
- Southern Ontario
Thanks for this thread - I'm having exactly this dilemma. I'm currently borrowing a 20ga o/u which I quite like. (I am trying other things as well.) I find that the recoil on it is less than on many of the 12ga that I've tried although I did shoot a single 12ga last week that didn't have any more recoil than the 20 (as I perceived it) but I didn't do as well with it.
The recoil is the big issue for me.
The recoil is the big issue for me.
Ahh , Silver wlf, still trying to find the right gun I see (Silly Girl )
Anyways, if you where in Vancouver I would offer the use of my Browning Gold in 20.
It is an auto loader and from having read your threads about your choices I havnt seen you try one of those ...yet.
Thats one of the fun things about shooting, trying as many guns as you can to find the one that has a good balance, nice fit and feel to it. ( color has nothing to do with buying a gun).
You should look for someone with an auto loader to see how they feel in your hands.
Smoke Them Clays,
Rob
Anyways, if you where in Vancouver I would offer the use of my Browning Gold in 20.
It is an auto loader and from having read your threads about your choices I havnt seen you try one of those ...yet.
Thats one of the fun things about shooting, trying as many guns as you can to find the one that has a good balance, nice fit and feel to it. ( color has nothing to do with buying a gun).
You should look for someone with an auto loader to see how they feel in your hands.
Smoke Them Clays,
Rob
Remember, "I'm thinking of a 20 ga. as a starter gun to introduce kids/women to trap". This is not meant to be somebody's go-to gun for regular trap shooting, am I right? This is for Bob's wife when she decides to come along or for the nephews in from out of town.
I have a 20 ga. in 1100 for my wife, and for newbies. It works very well. Super soft on the shoulder and it does the job on the trap line, and really does well at skeet.
I have a 20 ga. in 1100 for my wife, and for newbies. It works very well. Super soft on the shoulder and it does the job on the trap line, and really does well at skeet.
