3gun shotgun choice

[Peter Gun]

Great info guys, I’m sure there are many shooters thinking about 3gun and what to use for a shotgun.
Does anybody run 20ga?

 

[Hoser]

There was a trend many years ago to run 20s, but it faded.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

There was a trend many years ago to run 20s, but it faded.

Do you know why?

I’m guessing the theory was less recoil, but the reality was that didn’t pan out. Am I right? Or was it something else?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Do you know why?

I’m guessing the theory was less recoil, but the reality was that didn’t pan out. Am I right? Or was it something else?

It's possible the lighter shot charge wasn't reliably knocking down some if the heavier plates. I'm just thinking out loud on this.

 

[1KPerDay]

My son ran a 20 for his first and only match but he was the only one I've seen recently. Some clubs/leagues/divisions require 12s also.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

I have been using an FN SLP for 2 years now and so far, I really enjoy it.
I usually see M2s, Stoegers and Mossbergs but I have been starting to see more FNs.

I will admit, however that the piston needs to be cleaned every 500 rounds or so.

Also, my particular shotgun needs 1 1/8 ounce shot to cycle.

Buddy of mine runs a Mossberg JM and out of the box it had some issues but he did some DIY and I have to admit that it is a strong shooter now.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

My son ran a 20 for his first and only match but he was the only one I've seen recently. Some clubs/leagues/divisions require 12s also.

That was a thought too, and 1KPerDay said rules which I also suspected.

I wonder if anyone knows for sure.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

That was a thought too, and 1KPerDay said rules which I also suspected.

I wonder if anyone knows for sure.

The guys that i know that ran them did so because they shot slugs better than a 12.

IDK if that is fact or perception, but that is what they told me.

These days I think I want more shot for the clay bird in the air vs accuracy for slugs.

I suspect that rules could be a factor, but I don't see a competitive advantage either way.

 

[1KPerDay]

Last time I checked three gun nation rules for the most popular classes just specified 20 gauge or larger. For a while heavy-metal had to use a 12 gauge pump but now they've wussied it down. Other clubs may require a 12 gauge.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Last time I checked three gun nation rules for the most popular classes just specified 20 gauge or larger. For a while heavy-metal had to use a 12 gauge pump but now they've wussied it down. Other clubs may require a 12 gauge.

I am sad to hear that the pump isn't required for HM.
I thought that was one of the cooler part of the division.

Now that I have my Garand in 308 I wanted to borrow an 1897 and have some fun!

 

[WessonOil]

I was already the owner of a 1970's 870 Wingmaster in very good condition when I got into 3 Gun.
I was already shooting pistol but I needed to throw down money for a PCC (pistol caliber carbine), so I needed to keep my costs down on the shotgun end.
I purchased a +7 tube extension and bracket from Nordic so I have a 12 round capacity and a Hogue stock and forearm set.
The reason for that was twofold; to protect the wood as it was in really great shape, and to greatly reduce the recoil.
Our 3 Gun Match isn't equipment intensive yet so I'm shooting against a number of people with less round capacity.
A few of the shooters are using semi's that are quite reliable, but many are using semi's that seem to have issues so I'm turning in better times.

 

[1KPerDay]

I am sad to hear that the pump isn't required for HM.
I thought that was one of the cooler part of the division.

Now that I have my Garand in 308 I wanted to borrow an 1897 and have some fun!

You should do it! I've run a bolt action rifle in 3-gun. That was a hoot. I saw a guy run an original, stock Browning A5 with a 30-inch barrel.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

You should do it! I've run a bolt action rifle in 3-gun. That was a hoot. I saw a guy run an original, stock Browning A5 with a 30-inch barrel.

oh, I plan too! I think that my January 3 gun match will be pretty fun as long as it is not raining. If that happens then it will be back to the AR.

An A5 would be cool.
Pops has an original. I don't think its a 30 inch but it is a pretty awesome shotgun.

 

[Tony k]

Please post and let us know how it goes

Will do. Been away from thr a few weeks.

I've got some time to think about it. First match is in April
http://eaglecapshooters.com

 

[IndianaBoy]

I still don't get it. Shotguns get run hard for skeet, too. I had an autoloader crap out on me shooting skeet one day, and it was only because there was so much carbon built up that it wouldn't cycle anymore. After being wiped down and oiled it was fine.

They get run harder in 3 gun. This isn't a particularly big shotgun stage.

 

[IndianaBoy]

Do you know why?

I’m guessing the theory was less recoil, but the reality was that didn’t pan out. Am I right? Or was it something else?

It is easier to hold 4 20 gauge shells for weak hand loading.

The advent of quad loading eliminated that advantage. Plus the payload of 12 gauge is nice.

 

[IndianaBoy]

I have been using an FN SLP for 2 years now and so far, I really enjoy it.
I usually see M2s, Stoegers and Mossbergs but I have been starting to see more FNs.

I will admit, however that the piston needs to be cleaned every 500 rounds or so.

Also, my particular shotgun needs 1 1/8 ounce shot to cycle.

Buddy of mine runs a Mossberg JM and out of the box it had some issues but he did some DIY and I have to admit that it is a strong shooter now.

I used an SLP for several years and it always treated me well.

If you start to have failures to return to battery where the front of the shotgun shell catches on the extractor relief cut, replace your carrier dog spring.

I have since gone to a Benelli M2 and I love it, but the SLP was a great shotgun for me.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

I used an SLP for several years and it always treated me well.

If you start to have failures to return to battery where the front of the shotgun shell catches on the extractor relief cut, replace your carrier dog spring.

I have since gone to a Benelli M2 and I love it, but the SLP was a great shotgun for me.

Thanks for the info.

So far the only issue I have is the spent shell getting caught by the bolt on it's way out.

Kinda like the spent shell isn't fast enough to get out of the way before the bolt is coming back for the next shell.

1 1/8 ounce shot and regular cleaning has pretty much erased this issue.

 

[IndianaBoy]

Thanks for the info.

So far the only issue I have is the spent shell getting caught by the bolt on it's way out.

Kinda like the spent shell isn't fast enough to get out of the way before the bolt is coming back for the next shell.

1 1/8 ounce shot and regular cleaning has pretty much erased this issue.

I had that issue a few times when the shotgun was brand new and I was still breaking it in. I used to let mine get pretty filthy before cleaning it.

SLPs generally shoot slugs REALLY well. The sights are good, and I think the thick barrel wall has something to do with it as well.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

I had that issue a few times when the shotgun was brand new and I was still breaking it in. I used to let mine get pretty filthy before cleaning it.

SLPs generally shoot slugs REALLY well. The sights are good, and I think the thick barrel wall has something to do with it as well.

Yeah IDK know how many rounds I had through it before it started giving me trouble. It was a lot. Its since then that I implemented my 500rnd cleaning schedule.

I have had really good luck with the regular power slugs.

The low recoil slugs shoot ridiculously high for some reason.

 

[1KPerDay]

\

The low recoil slugs shoot ridiculously high for some reason.

going slower, barrel moves up under recoil before the slug exits, hits higher.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

going slower, barrel moves up under recoil before the slug exits, hits higher.

Didn't think of that.

Sure seems reasonable...