Anyone using a SxS for trap doubles??

[AbHobbyist]

Hello all!!

I have casually been shooting doubles lately and have decided I really want to take a serious run at it.

However the only appropriate gun that I have right now is a Thalmann Model 125. This is German Made classic 12 Gage Side by Side shotgun. 2 and 3/4" chamber with Double triggers, extractors, 28" long barrel, is choked full & full. I believe this to be a quality gun.

I am contemplating having some changes made (ie open up chokes, add recoil pad for length, maybe a stock weight, however SxS do not seem very common on the line.

I was wondering is anyone else was using a SXS for trap doubles and what kind of success they were having.

Regards and all the best

R

 

[Sharptail]

Of course you can use your Thalmann, but you are fighting something of an uphill battle. The very characteristics that make for a lively game gun work against you in trap. The alterations you suggest will help, but also experiment with taping a weight underneath the muzzles. By adding weight at the end of the barrels you increase the polar moment of inertia which will smooth out the swing. Discipline in gun handling is also a must, just like shooting a sub gauge gun. Concentrate on smoothness and an economy of movement. You will still be at a disadvantage compared to the long barreled U/O's, but not so much as to take you out of the running. Remember, don't hurry but keep the movement clean and deliberate and focus on the target. You will break birds.

I have shot my SxS's at trap in the international and continental (wobble) bunkers, and it is a lot of fun. You do raise some eyebrows, especially when you are hitting well. If your competitors are distracted enough you might get a bird or two on them just from their lack of concentration!

Go for it, and all the best.

Sharptail

 

[AbHobbyist]

Mr. Sharptail:

Thx very much. It was either use the Thalman, or my tricked out 870 WM trap that I use for singles.

regards and all the best

R

 

[ben hunchak]

Alot of ideas/reasons in Trap are of the theoretical kind...in theory, for trap doubles you need a gun that shoots high and allows you to see the birds good, in theory this is further hampered by both barrels blocking your view of the birds as they exit......I'm sure any gun would work though, if you practice and are confident in it.

 

[Nor1]

Go for it. I used a couch gun with exposed hammers for 2 years. I won a few turkeys with it as well. I found that an IMP. MOD. and an EX.FULL choke was the answer to going after doubles. Set-up low on the front of the trap house and both birds are easy to pic up. Fast on the first bird with lots of time to pick up the second bird. It does not matter what shotgun you choose, if you like the way it feels shoot it. Practice will even things out in the long run.

 

[mooncoon]

I occasionally shoot skeet and feel limited by my mediocre shooting rather than by my choice of gun. I shoot almost exclusively SXS guns, mostly hammer guns. I think there is an advantage in shooting 20 guage because they are light and fast. I am of mixed emotions about degree of choke. My guns vary from both open to both full. I am a slow shot so with both open, what I gain on those coming towards me, I lose on those going away.
I don't feel limited in vision by the double barrels or by the exposed hammers except when shooting pinfires. Fit of the gun I think is by far the most important issue.

cheers mooncoon