Just started last year using my 12ga 870 for trap. We really enjoy it but will I miss more targets using a 20ga? I was hoping the reduced recoil may give better results though to be honest I don't find the 12 that bad. My 14year old is tall and skinny, says the recoil doesn't bother him at all but if we compare shooting a 308 to a 300mag most would agree the 308 is easier to shoot well.
870 20ga for trap?
- Thread starter big boar
- Start date
Trap is shot with a 12 ga., I believe that in smaller competitions you could use a 20 but not in a big tourney. You handicap yourself because all the other shooters are using 12 gauges and they pattern better at 30 -40 yds. where most trap birds are shot. So, yeah, use it, if just shooting for fun or because of recoil, but in the long run, everything else equal, you will shoot better scores with a 12 ga.
The wife shoots a Rem 1100 youth in 20 gauge..Short barrel ,IM choke,ribbed barrel...She shoots 22...24 at the 16 yard,and just to day she shot 23 ,23, 24 at the 23 yard.So when someone says 12 gauge for trap
....Well... she kept me on my toes!!
....Well... she kept me on my toes!!
Like short barreled shotguns, some clubs won't let the 20 ga. on the trap field, skeet field yes. The second shot on doubles can really sort out thin patterns as can handicrap from the 25-27 yd. line. Never heard of an AA27AA that earned it with a 20 ga.
I've yet to see a club that bars the 20 gauge for shooting. There is no ATA restriction on the smaller gauges other than they will be scored the same as a 12.
The 7/8s ounce 20 gauge load is very similar to the 24 gram International target load used in Olympic shooting. If recoil is an issue however stepping down to the 20 gauge might not solve the problems. The 20 can kick just as much if not more as a 12 because the guns are lighter.
The solution to recoil isn't a smaller gauge in a lighter gun but a lighter load in a 12 gauge.
The 7/8s ounce 20 gauge load is very similar to the 24 gram International target load used in Olympic shooting. If recoil is an issue however stepping down to the 20 gauge might not solve the problems. The 20 can kick just as much if not more as a 12 because the guns are lighter.
The solution to recoil isn't a smaller gauge in a lighter gun but a lighter load in a 12 gauge.
