Sporting Clays with a 20 Gauge - Opinions/Insights Wanted

Devlin

Devlin

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Hey Gang,

I recently picked up a Browning 725 Sporting in 20 Gauge as I went into a local shop picked the gun up on a whim and the damn thing fit me like a glove. I have been shooting it for 2 months now and am liking it a lot but have begun to wonder if a 20 Gauge is considered being under-gunned for Sporting Clays. My scores are similar to what I'm shooting with my 12 gauge I average in the high 60's to low/mid 70's on a 100 bird course.

Wondering how many other 20 gauge sporting clays shooters there are out there or if more people run 12's in this game? It's a great gun for me on the skeet field as well but my first love is sporting clays. I shoot at Galt Sportsmens club and some of the stations can be a bit of a reach for me and I attribute my misses to the shooter and not the gun being used.
 
You will be handicapped against guys with a 12 gauge.
But, on a lighter note the 20 in now able to shoot along side 12’s in trap and Sporting Clays too if my intell is correct.
Not saying it can not be done , just that you will be up against guys who shoot and can shoot very well.
Rob
 
I shoot a 12g, but quite frequently will shoot 1 or 7/8oz loads. I don't think I've missed a target because of the shell I loaded. For competitive matches you are undergunned- but as you point out the difference is likely less than you think. Granted for some of those targets it seems 2oz is the only way to have a chance!
 
You will be at no disadvantage on most sporting clay set ups. The only time you will be challenged with a 20g is on long distance birds, but even then the challenge can be measured in less than a 1/10th of a second at best.

If you are looking to excel, use a 12g. There are many models / different cartridges that make the different between the two gauges minimal. 20g is a great cartridge, but it comes into its own when hunting over distance as the gun is usually lighter. Sporting clays is about adaptability, and I personally prefer a heavier gun as they swing better I find. (IMO)

Candocad.
 
I know that the course near me has a separate class some competitions for "Sub-Guages (20,28,410)" and every year actually has a Sub-Guage event. If you are keeping your scores up being a bit out gunned, I'd think you are doing just fine. Last I looked, (10 years ago) I thought 12 vs 20 shells were pretty much the same price so that shouldn't be a reason to pick one over the other. Oh and the 725 is one purdy looking shotgun, great selection regardless of caliber.
 
The difference between the two would be less than most shooters capabilities to begin with. My advice is this, if you're confident and enjoy shooting the 20ga then don't worry about it. If you're shooting for numbers and money only, then the 12ga would be the way to go. If you shoot to have fun, and don't worry about the scores like I do, then why wouldn't you shoot the 20ga?
 
I shoot a LOT of 20ga. I use 20ga ammo in all of the 12ga skeet events.

I believe that the gun balance, and lighter recoil I get with the 20ga makes up for the smaller shot payload when shooting skeet targets (you are giving up 1/4oz of lead).

If I was to go beyond skeet target distances, I would want the extra lead (if competing anyway).

My personal experience when shooting those type of targets is that I make out better with 12ga ammo than I do with 20ga.

Brad.
 
The difference between 12 and 20 is small, but I agree will increase as targets get very long. Sure those 50 yard crossers or tower birds will be tougher, but let's face it not many courses outside of large competitions are throwing those. I've shot a 725 Sporting 20ga several rounds myself and they are one heck of a sweet gun. If you really want to be on the winners list at big shoots a 12 is arguably better, but for everything else I say shoot that 20 and enjoy it!
 
Are you capable of winning the event or placing in the top 2 or 3 competitors? If not, then it doesn't really matter. Shoot what you enjoy the most. As noted above, with most of the sporting targets that you will shoot at, the 20 gauge is not a handicap and the ones that you miss are not because of the gun or ammunition ...
 
I shoot mostly 12 ga . But I love to take a 20 ga for a spin now and then. I wish more guns in 20 were built on 12 ga frame. I find most 20s too small for me. With the small frame these little light guns kick more than they should. . Some of the guys shoot 12 ga reloaded to 3/4 or 7/8 oz loads so pretty much a 20 gauge anyway. As stated these smaller guns cost me long targets. just my .02 worth, have fun
 
Thanks for all the feedback gang, I do enjoy the 20 gauge and there is a bit of nostalgia with the cartridge for me. A 20 gauge Rossi side by side was my first shotgun and it while it wasn't anything spectacular to look at man I loved that gun growing up and like having something different than all the 12 gauge shooters.

If you see a guy with a 725 Sporting and a red Caesar Gerini hat out at Galt say Hi would love to meet some more shooters out that way to squad up with...my Guerini is a 12 gauge and is a real sweetheart to shoot as well.
 
Twin City Rifle Club, New Hamburg, has "Hunter's Sporting Clay" shoots Aug 26th, Sept 30th and Oct 28th. Usually around 100 shooters, $45 for 100 birds, nothing over 40 yds. Prizes and draws. Interesting presentations. No one shoots "100", always a couple high 90's though for the serious clays guys . Someone with limited SC experiences can break 60-70 with a hunting set up. Fun shoots, not too serious.
 
The 20ga is plenty good for sporting. It is not so much the gauge as the shooter and ammunition. I have shot sporting for 20+ years used everything from 3/4oz to 1oz loads i 12ga. I have not shot anything more than 7/8oz in years. My scores are better than yours (just saying). Also, I have known at least two shooters with 20ga sporting o/us that can outshoot us both any day of week ... and I am talking about tough targets. Heavier 12ga o/u will be slower to stop ur swing. If it were me with a 20ga that fit me like a glove I would buy as much 20ga 7/8oz 7.5 and/or 8s as I could afford and stick with it. What barrel length is ur sporting? i started out with 30" but now prefer the 32s.....when do you want to shoot with me? i also shoot at Galt !
 
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