Over and Under vs Side by Side for trap? Why so many O/U?

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

macrophage

Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2004
Messages
8
I am just really getting into trap. It is way addicting. Anyway, I have been shooting it with a gas gun, which works, but shoots the hulls about 10 feet directly to the right. I have been hitting the guy next to me with the empties when we shoot a full group. Not very nice, so I have been looking for a good break action with extractors, not ejectors.

Well, anyway, I have a friend who wants to sell me his Huglu side by side 12 ga shottie. A 103c, I believe. However, most of the guys I see down there are using over and unders, not side by sides. Is there a real difference for a beginner like me?

Another question, whats a good asking price for a never been shot, in the original box Huglu?

Last bragging point... Got my first 22 out of 25 score yesterday! (way big grin)

Mac
 
Last edited:
The theory holds that it's easier to hit with the single plane of the O/U. My experience has been that the narrow sight plane just looks plain silly and you need those two big old tubes to keep you shooting straight. But then again I cut my teeth on a SXS, so I'd suggest you take a real good look around you. Somethings gotta be keeping all those O/Uers on the line, and it sure ain't aesthetics. :barf:
 
Okie - you forgot the part where one's eyes are "OO" not in a "8" ( figure eight) configuration. :D

Okie is correct in the single sighting plane in regard as to being "best" for trap and skeet. Truth is single sighting planes , be it O/U or semis rule the clay game/ sports.

Just like 28 ga scores are the best in skeet- look at any tote board and it is that evident.

Trap with rising targets - get a O/U if you are serious about being a competitior. I don't know how the gun you mentioned will hold up over the long haul. Don't know about service when and if you need.

I for instance competed in Skeet, I shot 25K rds in a year in 12 ga alone. I shot the other 3 gauges as well. My guns had to hold up. The gas gun - a SuperXModel 1 held up...is still holding up. One has - I dunno easy to say 200K+ rds thru it.

My Citori's held up...

SxS have been the preferred and proven design for "driven birds" forever.

ME, I don't compete anymore - per se' :evil:
I like using a pump gun - a 870 for everything.
I like using single shot shot shotguns still. Even I have run 50/50 in trap using a H&R Topper...Done it with a SxS too...A Parker.

SxS I like and respect. 311 is a fine example. I drooled and still lust for a 20 ga I saw in Tulsa...

I can see me toting a SxS and using for everything...done it before.
 
If you're going to shoot trap, and nothing else, do yourself a favor and get a single barrelled trap gun with a 32-34" bbl.

For sporting clays, get an O/U with 30-32" bbl.

Skeet an auto with a 24-26" bbl.

And for hunting a SxS with a 28" bbl.

And now, we can talk about our favorite chokes.
 
GreenFurniture,

Ya know, I knew I liked the way you think for a reason. :)

I agree with longer bbls for everything - Including Skeet. Being a Skeeter...my personal guns run 28 " bbls on everything. This was before longer bbls were really avail.

I shoot low gun, yeah even when the Trap folks let me ( a skeeter) on the Hallowed Trap grounds. [ old razzing here folks :p ] One can mount to face a long tube - even them 34" just as smooth and fast as short one.

I used the SuperX Model 1 Target 2 bbl set. Fixed choked 30" for trap,( yeah I even stuck the shell catcher on it) and 26 " for skeet.

Then I had Nu-Line take that bbl on a SX1 Field grade - a 28" fixed mod bbl and do the external knurled chokes. I got to where I used that for everything, from quail to skeet to to ducks/ geese...and onto the trap line with mud still caked on it...darn skeeters " ain't got no couth". :p
 
I use an auto (Rem. 1100) for both trap and skeet. I just got my first 50/50 a few weeks ago with it, so I know that you can do just fine with your auto. If you want to keep the empties from flying out, you can get a thick rubber band to keep them from being ejected, or buy a shell catcher from Brownells. On the other hand, I tried a guy's Benelli autoloader on sunday for skeet. It had a single bright orange bead at the end of the barrel that looked kinda like a tiny clay pigeon sitting on the barrel, distracting as heck!
 
I always found an o/u much easier to shoot than a side by side.

Shooting with both eyes open, you can see a lot more with only one sight plane. When I was shooting trap I shot everything but ended up with o/u. They just worked better for me.

jzz
 
1. I haven't seen a side by side on the trap line yet in 3 years of shooting.
2. Why does this guy want to sell you his Huglu? Why isn't he shooting it and will he let let you try it out first?
3. I moved from an auto to a BT-99 with a 34 inch barrel. The high rib helps a lot. When I had a trigger spring problem, the gun was sent to Browning to get fixed under warranty and was back quickly. Can you say the same about Huglu? Have you ever fired a gun with a high rib? It may be just the ticket for you to shoot 25/25.
4. How much have you shopped around to check out what may be available in your price range new/used in your "county" or region? Have you done any legwork? I would hate to see you disappointed or lose ground in pursuit of your trap goals. :D
 
While SxS shotguns still show up in the field, their use for clays is limited. One can hear lots of reasons for this, but the fact remains the O/U rules the range.

Those who can shoot anything favor the O/U overwhemingly.

If you're looking for a clays shotgun, keep looking.
 
No_Brakes23 - The reason is that shotguns are pointed, not aimed. You point the gun at the target; not aim it with the bead. Some people don't even have a bead on their guns. My father recently told me that a great uncle used to file the beads off of all his shotguns as soon as he got them.

Try an exercise: Look out the window at a small bird and quickly point your index finger at it. Easy right? Would it have been easier with a bead on the end of your finger? :)

John
 
Ever try to fit a Side-by-side neatly in the gun rack?
That's the real reason why you only see Over-unders, Semis, and Single barrel trap guns.
Years ago, I went to the trap range with my Browning SxS, shot only from low mount. Only broke 21/25 but I could have done better if the old trap fartz would have butted out and not tried to "coach" me every shot on "proper" form. (I think i drove 'em nuts)
 
Thanks!

Thanks for all your advices. I'll save up my money for a good O/U instead of the SxS. You guys are excellent.

Mac.
 
It really depends on what you like and what you're used to.

I love the look and romance of the SxSs, but it looks plain huge when brought to my shoulder. I cut my scattergun teeth on a pump and moved on to autos, so the OU looks OK to me.

If you like the look and feel of the gun you're considering - go for it.
 
Just a guess

Haven't shot trap in a long time, but perhaps the side by side barrels may block out the rising bird. Restricted view
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

H
  • Locked
Side by side vs. Over Under?
Replies
11
Views
4K
bubbygator
B
C
  • Locked
Why O/U and not Side x Side?
Replies
8
Views
599
scout26
S
X
  • Locked
looking for a cheap/good side by side or over and under
2
Replies
25
Views
2K
Jefferson Herb
J
larryw
  • Locked
O/U Extractors vs ejectors
Replies
14
Views
3K
BozemanMT
B
A
  • Locked
A Surfeit Of Side By Sides!
Replies
5
Views
912
ACP230
A
Back
Top