RH vs LH
- Thread starter KDuncan
- Start date
I’m not an experienced Trap shooter by any means, just started shooting it this year, but I am a left hander so I will relate my experience so far. I bought a Churchill O/U to try Trap this spring. I have had the opportunity to shoot a few different Trap guns since January and I personally don’t shoot anything better or worse because of cast. My Churchill is cast slightly to the right according to some very experienced Trap shooters I’ve shot with but I shoot it quite well. I did get the opportunity to shoot a “ left cast” shotgun and didn’t find a great amount of difference.
A fella can get used to shooting pretty well any shotgun. However, what is ultimately achievable depends largely on the fit of the shotgun. I would suggest you get a shotgun with the correct cast. Many semi's come with stock shims that allow you to tailor the cast (on or off), and I believe some O/U's are the same (Browning Cynergy?)
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Shotgun fit is extremely important. Having said that trap is probably the only shotgun sport where you can get away without a perfect fit simply because you can premount the gun and line everything up before you call for the target. Even then the gun has to fit you somewhat and you will do much better if the gun fits well.
The proof of fit is ultimately in how well you break targets with the gun. You may be shooting well with what you have but what are you capable of if the gun did fit?
The proof of fit is ultimately in how well you break targets with the gun. You may be shooting well with what you have but what are you capable of if the gun did fit?
Fit is important. In any firearm, you move the rear sight in the direction you want your "group" to move. In a shotgun, the rear sight is your eye and moving your eye position will move the "group" (POI) So lets say your eye is too far to the right. Your point of impact will also be to the right. This means on a right side bird your perceived lead will be less and a left side bird you'll need greater lead. This is cast. It would screw me up. Maybe you too.
Pitch is the angle of the butt compared to the angle of the barrel. Incorrect pitch is the leading cause for getting smacked in the cheek.
Toe out (or toe in) fits the butt pad to your shoulder pocket. Very few people have a vertical shoulder pocket and although they may not be aware of it, they have to fight to avoid canting the gun. Toe is opposite for a left hand shooter as compared to a right hand.
Drop at comb is a common term, but drop at face would be more descriptive. If it's too high, that "rear site" will have you shooting too high. If it's too low, the barrel may completely occlude the target. Use the force?
There is much more. Length of Pull - reach - palm swell - drop at heel? Changing any one will almost certainly affect at ;east one of the others.
Yes. Fit matters.
Pitch is the angle of the butt compared to the angle of the barrel. Incorrect pitch is the leading cause for getting smacked in the cheek.
Toe out (or toe in) fits the butt pad to your shoulder pocket. Very few people have a vertical shoulder pocket and although they may not be aware of it, they have to fight to avoid canting the gun. Toe is opposite for a left hand shooter as compared to a right hand.
Drop at comb is a common term, but drop at face would be more descriptive. If it's too high, that "rear site" will have you shooting too high. If it's too low, the barrel may completely occlude the target. Use the force?
There is much more. Length of Pull - reach - palm swell - drop at heel? Changing any one will almost certainly affect at ;east one of the others.
Yes. Fit matters.
OK - Get one with a neutral cast, and get into the game. I own several B guns, and recently picked up a Churchill for cheaps. Nice gun for under 1K$. If you decide to get serious about shotgunning, you can start saving for a left handed B gun.
Update - Apparently, Churchill make their 206 model of O/A in a left hand version, according to their website.
Update - Apparently, Churchill make their 206 model of O/A in a left hand version, according to their website.
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Look for a used Browning Cynergy. They have neutral cast, a much thinner comb than typical for Browning target guns, and no palm swell. I shot mine for 3 years after switching to the left shoulder and it worked well for me.
Be careful that a gun advertised as LH is actually cast-on. LH Brownings are neutral (as are almost all Brownings), the only difference being LH palm swell.
Whatever you do, try as many as you can before buying.
Be careful that a gun advertised as LH is actually cast-on. LH Brownings are neutral (as are almost all Brownings), the only difference being LH palm swell.
Whatever you do, try as many as you can before buying.
Sit down at a range and talk to someone like stubblejumper.
Do not talk to an idiot.
Every sample I’ve handled is.
From the Browning website:
Do Browning shotguns have cast-on or cast-off on their stocks?
Answer:
Upon leaving the factory, Browning stocks are straight with no cast-on or cast-off. However, due to the nature of the wood, they will at times slightly curve as they grow drier over time.
Browning should know if the shotguns that they sell have a neutral cast.
