axeman_g
Member
All,
I figured I would share some hands on shooting experience with you. I went trap shooting last night with my new Benelli Nova 20 24" and my '51 Simson 16g SXS. I have not shot clay birds in about 7 years, and enen then I did not perform well with an old Stevens 311 12g I used to own. That cannon could have made a statue flinch.
I shot the Simson first as this gun will be my main Grouse hunting tool of choice. Having only patterned this gun I was not pessimistic nor optimistic about what was about to happen, just worried. I joined up woth two other gentlemen named Dennis and Mike. I informed them that it had been years since I had been on a trap range and needed a quick refresher. I then proceeded to hit the first 12 clays in a row. They accused me of sharking them. I missed the bane of my life on birds, the low going away shot, at a slight right to left angle and rising, I did it twice. I shot a 23 on the first round. I shot another round, this time a 24. The Simson functioned flawlessly, recoil was almost unoticable. The gun points and swings like my finger. It was like I had a little magical clay bird shattering laser in my eye.
Giving the Simson time to cool off, those splinter forends dont do much to fend off barrel heat, I shot the Nova next. I shot the first round with the modified choke tube. I hit 21 out of 25. Missed the going away shot three times. The gun shoots very nicely and the 20g is a pussycat to shoot. Function was flawless, the orange bead sight was helpful in finding targets. Loading was a no brainer through the oversized port and extraction was vigourous. The next round I changed the choke to IC, and shot 17. I am not really sure why the score dropped so significantly. Next time I go I will try the full choke to see my results.
Overall, I really like the feel of this gun, recoil is negligible in 20g plus the recoil pad, weight is so light, construction though synthetic feeling is balanced and has a sense of durability. I great second gun for me, but I would never have an issue using it as a primary upland gun. A great port shooting gun also.
I shot one more round with the Simson. I hit a straight 25 out of 25. I think I will keep this gun. Dennis and Mike asked me to shoot with them again in the future. I think they like my gun more then they liked me.
In summary, I would call this a very good evening.
I figured I would share some hands on shooting experience with you. I went trap shooting last night with my new Benelli Nova 20 24" and my '51 Simson 16g SXS. I have not shot clay birds in about 7 years, and enen then I did not perform well with an old Stevens 311 12g I used to own. That cannon could have made a statue flinch.
I shot the Simson first as this gun will be my main Grouse hunting tool of choice. Having only patterned this gun I was not pessimistic nor optimistic about what was about to happen, just worried. I joined up woth two other gentlemen named Dennis and Mike. I informed them that it had been years since I had been on a trap range and needed a quick refresher. I then proceeded to hit the first 12 clays in a row. They accused me of sharking them. I missed the bane of my life on birds, the low going away shot, at a slight right to left angle and rising, I did it twice. I shot a 23 on the first round. I shot another round, this time a 24. The Simson functioned flawlessly, recoil was almost unoticable. The gun points and swings like my finger. It was like I had a little magical clay bird shattering laser in my eye.
Giving the Simson time to cool off, those splinter forends dont do much to fend off barrel heat, I shot the Nova next. I shot the first round with the modified choke tube. I hit 21 out of 25. Missed the going away shot three times. The gun shoots very nicely and the 20g is a pussycat to shoot. Function was flawless, the orange bead sight was helpful in finding targets. Loading was a no brainer through the oversized port and extraction was vigourous. The next round I changed the choke to IC, and shot 17. I am not really sure why the score dropped so significantly. Next time I go I will try the full choke to see my results.
Overall, I really like the feel of this gun, recoil is negligible in 20g plus the recoil pad, weight is so light, construction though synthetic feeling is balanced and has a sense of durability. I great second gun for me, but I would never have an issue using it as a primary upland gun. A great port shooting gun also.
I shot one more round with the Simson. I hit a straight 25 out of 25. I think I will keep this gun. Dennis and Mike asked me to shoot with them again in the future. I think they like my gun more then they liked me.
In summary, I would call this a very good evening.