New to O/U Shotguns: Have Questions

[Legionnaire]

So I just picked up my first O/U shotgun ... a second hand Red Label (please, this isn't a thread about the pros and cons or reputation of the RRLs). Edit: bought this primarily for field use, and an occasional round of trap.

I am totally new to O/U shotguns and have a few questions. First, an observation. It looks like the lower barrel is canted upward compared to the upper barrel. My assumption is this is so the lower barrel gives a better trajectory on a rising bird. If that is the case, would you typically set the lower barrel to fire first?

And what chokes would you use? I again assume you would use a more open choke in the first barrel to fire, and a tighter choke in the second, assuming the second shot is at a target farther away? I'm thinking IC in the lower barrel and MOD in the upper, set to fire the lower first.

Am I thinking the right way? Tips welcome!

 

[oneounceload]

What are your intended uses - hunting, clay games, something else?

Ruger uses a barrel hanger system for barrel regulation, similar to what Kreighoff uses. it is supposed to be easier to regulate the barrels for POI/POA convergence. That can only be determined by you with your gun and your ammo at a pattern plate.

Many prefer to fire the bottom barrel first as it tends to direct the recoil more straight back in line with your arms to the shoulder. For most hunting applications you would then typically put your most open choke in the bottom barrel. This tends to work for a lot of sporting clay presentations as well.

Your IC/M will work for a lot of situations; again depending on what you intend to use it for.

Hopefully you were able to fire some shots with the RL before buying; they - like the older Win 101s - had a reputation for either fitting you fairly well or totally not at all. If the former, no big deal, if the latter, the felt recoil may start to bother you. That can be corrected by having stock modifications done.

 

[rule303]

The barrels should be regulated to shoot to the same point of aim. Choke selection depends on what you are using it for, and what load you will be shooting. The best advice I can offer is to pattern it with the load you want to shoot at the distance you plan on shooting.
Most shooters fire the lower barrel first with a more open choke, then the upper barrel with a tighter choke for hunting situations. Of course you could fire the upper barrel first if you wanted to. Firing the lower first generally causes the gun to stay more level because of the lower bore axis.

 

[Legionnaire]

Thanks. Bought this primarily for field use, with the occasional (and I do mean occasional) round of trap. I don't expect to put more than a couple hundred rounds through it a year.

I did not shoot this one before purchasing it; I handled a Red Label before and really liked the way it felt, so I was looking for a deal on one. If it proves not to agree with me, I should be able to flip it at no loss.

 

[Kingcreek]

Doubles often give the illusion of converging at the muzzle but it will probably pattern just fine and shoot near POA with both barrels. as stated, only way to find out is to pattern it.

 

[natman]

The lower barrel is usually fired first because it recoils slightly straighter back than the upper barrel, allowing a faster recovery. It is usually choked more open on the assumption that the target will be closer for the first shot than the second.

I can't comment on the way your barrel may appear to be bent.

 

[jmr40]

All doubles, both SXS and OU have the muzzles converge and get somewhat closer together as they near the muzzle. At some predetermined range (about 40 yards) they will hit at the same point, but at closer or longer ranges the patterns will be slightly different. Just part of owning a double. It is rarely enough to be an issue except when using very tight chokes for turkey or if shooting slugs.

I think your Ruger will be well suited for your purposes. My brother owned one for a brief period. I liked and shot it well. He sold it, but not because of any issues.

 

[Sniper66]

Shooting 200 rounds a year in a variety of settings you will notice no difference in patterning. What counts and always does is whether you are on the target or not. If however you have never shot an O/U before, you may need a period of adjustment. I grew up shooting and have shot 1000s of rounds with a single barrel over many years. I have now shot a sxs 20 gauge, a Ruger Red Label 12, and a Browning Superposed 12; all fine guns. But, in spite of lots of practice, I never can shoot a double as well as I shoot a single.

 

[Legionnaire]

Thanks. I have shot a Mossberg 500 for many years. While I'm a pretty fair shot with rifles and handguns, I only shoot 50-60% in most trap rounds (like I said ... very occasional). Hopefully it won't be too much of an adjustment.

 

[oneounceload]

If you have been shooting rifles and handguns and are now having issues shooting shotguns, you more than likely are aiming at your target. Rifles and handguns are typically shot from a still position at a still target whereas a shotgun is used in a dynamic manner on a dynamic target. That is why you always hear about "pointing, not aiming" a shotgun. Besides fit, stance is another aspect for success. If you stand like you would shooting highpower, you are standing incorrectly. A lot of these little nuances add up to more misses than kills, which is why either getting a good lesson or three from a coach or at least having a few good folks at your local club help you is a great idea.

 

[243winxb]

would you typically set the lower barrel to fire first?

And what chokes would you use? I'm thinking IC in the lower barrel and MOD in the upper, set to fire the lower first.

Am I thinking the right way?

Yes. For hunting lower barrel first using I/C, top barrel Mod. using 8 shot for dove, 5 for rabbit/pheasant. The 5's leave less lead in the meat to bite into. For trap 1 oz #8 shot I/M or Mod depending on how fast you shoot.

 

[BigWoolyBanjo]

Quote: If it proves not to agree with me, I should be able to flip it at no loss.

Let me know - I'm in the market for a used Red Label!
-Jeff

 

[oneounceload]

You can get a "new and improved" one for almost what you'll pay for a used one

Might as well get the warranty - you'll most likely need it

 

[PapaG]

With most o/u shotguns, fixed chokes are more open on the bottom and tighter on the top. My Superposed, 1964, is fixed, I.M. and Full, bottom/top. IMHO the IM choke is the most misunderstood and most useful choke there is on a trap gun. A little looser than full, giving you a few more "edge" breaks when you're not quite dead on and capable of reaching out even when back at the long handicap distances.
I use a Post Wad in the bottom and top both for doubles. Windjammers for 16 yard and AA's for handicap.

 

[Legionnaire]

Put about 20 rounds through the gun this evening; hit about 50%, so no worse than with my trusty Mossberg. Functioned fine, felt good. Going to a fundraising trap shoot this Saturday and will take it along (I'll take the 500 along too, just in case). Won't have opportunity to pattern it first, but plan to shoot it regardless. So far so good. Thanks for the tips!

 

[PapaG]

When you shoulder the gun, align the sights so that the middle bead s slightly "into" the front bead. This means you'll see a little of the rib. Float the bird slightly above the front bead as you swing on it. Shoot before the bird peaks in height. Aligning the sights such will cause the gun to put the pattern a little more than half above the line of sight enabling breaking the bird on the rise. Don't forget to swing ahead of angled birds.
As my son says, try not to have more than fifty thoughts in your mind when calling for the bird.
One other thing. After aligning the sights, aim a foot or to over the top of the trap house and then forget the sights. Look for where the bird will appear.

 

[*Kemosabe*]

Good advice!

Field guns are not regulated for rising targets. In trap you are shooting at rising targets, so if you are seeing the target sitting on your front sight you will most likely shoot under it.

I usually shoot international skeet, but on one occasion I went to a trap range owned by a national trap champion. He noticed my disgust when I scored only 17 birds out of 25. His comment, “I see you are shooting a field gun, so when you shoot these birds be sure to keep the gun moving and cover the bird with the muzzle as you pull the trigger.” On my very next round I scored 23 out of 25. Good advice!

 

[Legionnaire]

Range Report

Thanks for the tips, guys. Just back from the trap shoot.

I haven't shot a round of trap since this time last year, and this was my first real outing with the Red Label. So I was quite pleased to shoot 18+20, or 38 for 50. Not match-winning, by any means (top shooter shot 49) but way better than 50%.

Looks like the Red Label has found a permanent home in the safe ( ... sorry BigWoolyBanjo).

Stay safe and shoot straight!