12 or 20 ga for Trap?

[ReadyontheRight]

I just got talked into joining a trap league. I am entirely new to this, only having shot at hand-thrown clays, turkey patterns and critters.

I have a few 12 ga guns, but they are all full choke (except for one with a Polychoke - I'm not planning to walk out there with a dial-a-duck gun ). My 20ga Remington 1100 grouse gun has the Remchoke system.

Should I go with a full choke 12ga or a different choke on the 20ga? If so, which one?

Thanks!

 

[ArmedBear]

Trap is an exclusively 12 Gauge sport. HOWEVER, that doesn't mean you shouldn't use the 20, it just means you don't get any extra points for it.

What are the events? My league currently does 16 Wobble / 25 Straight, but has done calculated team handicaps, progressives, 25 wobbles, etc. We switch around to keep it interesting.

A full choke will bust 'em really well if you hit them. And there's generally an advantage to using a heavier gun for the follow-through.

I'd head down to the trap range with any candidate guns, and try it. Whichever one works best for you, use.

What guns do you have? How long are the barrels?

That dial-a-duck might not be a bad idea if it patterns well enough.

My club is pretty low-key. People with Lutjics and Perazzis don't look down on someone with a beat 870.

 

[BozemanMT]

Trap is almost always shot with a 12ga.
Until the little kid who can barely hold a shotgun comes in with his youth express 20ga and shoots like a 24. So yeah, I think you can shoot a 12ga.
Most people shoot big loads from the 27 yard line, but from the 16 yard line, 1oz or even 7/8oz loads are fine in 12ga, so I don't see why a 20ga 1oz load wouldn't work.

I do agree though, take them all, see which ones work better. Most people like trap guns that shoot high so they can see the bird. (big raised rib).

 

[ATAShooter]

If you plan to shoot ATA... You can use the 20 for registered targets with the exception of the Grand American,... it is a 12 ga. only event. I do suggest you use the 12ga with the full that you have. Full choke is ok for trap, I shoot a Model 12 with a fixed full,... It has bought home many a trophy.

 

[ArmedBear]

Things to consider, if you have some guns to choose from...

A vent rib is a good thing. A middle bead is a good thing, and/or a gun that shoots a little high as a opposed to a little low.

A light gun is not an advantage. A heavy, long gun can be. You don't have to worry about shouldering the gun quickly or carrying it afield, but you do have to make sure that you can slowly and deliberately shoulder it in the same place every time.

Pick a gun with a long LOP, not a short one. Snap shooting in the field might favor a short LOP, but trap likes a long buttstock better.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

Thanks everyone! We are going out to do some shooting tonight, so I'll find out more about the course of fire. I think I'll stick with the 12ga and see how I do.

 

[riverdog]

Use anything you want. . .

Once the hook is set, you'll buy a dedicated O/U with 30"-32" barrel, choke tubes, which fits you like a glove.

 

[ArmedBear]

...or worse, a dedicated 34" single barrel trap gun with no safety, good for absolutely nothing besides trapshooting...

 

[Jim Watson]

Full choke is good. The target is outgoing and many beginners ride it besides.
Modified is fine, but since you have full chokes, shoot one.
You can get stick-on comb pads to raise your line of sight for the rising target and put off the cost of a dedicated trap gun for a while until you are definitely hooked.

One of our guys said a 34" Full BT99 trap single would take a squirrel out of a tall, tall tree. So they are not entirely useless off the field.

 

[richardschennberg]

12 gauge is a good idea because even if you shoot reduced shot weights, you are allowed more velocity (for ATA sanctioned shoots and other trap shoots that use ATA standards):
1 1/8 oz - up to 1290 fps
1 oz - up to 1300 fps
7/8 oz - up to 1350 fps
Shot size must be at least #9 and at most #7 1/2.
Of course 1 1/8 oz at 1290 fps (typically called "Handicap Trap" loads) are the most powerful allowed by ATA, but they aren't really necessary until you have to shoot handicap from the 25 yard line. Because "speed kills," 7/8 oz of #8 is enough for the 16 yard line and has a lot less felt recoil. 1 oz at 1200-1250 fps is very popular from the 16 yard line, or for those who still shoot handicap from 20 yards.

You could improve your 20 gauge performance by using "Sporting Clays" loads. Unlike 12 gauge where hunting and Sporting Clays loads could exceed 1 1/8 oz and 1290 fps (thus seperate ATA-legal "Handicap Trap" loads), in 20 gauge hunting and Sporting Clays loads will be under the ATA limits anyway. For the 16 yard line #8 shot should be fine. For handicap or the second shot of doubles, #7 1/2 and full choke is recommended.

Some shooters use modified or improved modified chokes at the 16 yard line or the first shot of doubles, while others use full for everything so that the required precision is always the same.
Richard
Schennberg.com

 

[halfmile]

A bad deal, I used to have 4- 5 guns, and when I took up trap it was just a matter of time and lo there were 30. Now 50, and no end in sight. From being a simple duck hunter who wanted to shoot better on opening day to a flaming bishootual Skeet-Trap - Prairie Dog nutcase.

Enjoy every minute and oil up your BS filter.

HM