I'm very new to the shotgun scene in general and just kind of wondering why do people prefer O/Us over semi-autos when shooting trap, skeet, etc. I went to the trap and skeet range couple of times and seems like about 70-75% of people use over-and-unders, is there any particular reason for that? Thanks.
Why O/U?
- Thread starter LS
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Whole Hog
Member
I like the way they look and feel, I like having two different chokes available, and I especially like the fact that my empty hulls aren't scattered all over the landscape.
sm
member
-Reliability
-Single Sighting Plane
-Choke selection (two different ones if needed for conditions such as 5 stand or Sporting Clays)
-Hull management.
[One does not have ejected hulls distract other shooters, one does not have to bend down and retrieve hulls, one is able to cup hand over ejectors and put theirhulls in their shooting pouch/ vest.
Hulls are big expense of reloading, especially in 28 ga. and .410. So knowing "your" hulls are in "your" possession is important and desireable. Besides the expense, and other already mentioned tidbits - "reading" the hull gives a shooter some information, and assures reliable , efficient loads]
-Single Sighting Plane
-Choke selection (two different ones if needed for conditions such as 5 stand or Sporting Clays)
-Hull management.
[One does not have ejected hulls distract other shooters, one does not have to bend down and retrieve hulls, one is able to cup hand over ejectors and put theirhulls in their shooting pouch/ vest.
Hulls are big expense of reloading, especially in 28 ga. and .410. So knowing "your" hulls are in "your" possession is important and desireable. Besides the expense, and other already mentioned tidbits - "reading" the hull gives a shooter some information, and assures reliable , efficient loads]
Rupestris
Member
O/U has a shorter overall lenght than a semi or pump with the same length barrel(s).
Besides all the other good reasons people have mentioned:
you can carry it broken open over your shoulder and
a) take weight off your hands when carrying, or even free them up to carry something else, and
b) everyone within 100 yards of you *knows* that your gun isn't loaded.
you can carry it broken open over your shoulder and
a) take weight off your hands when carrying, or even free them up to carry something else, and
b) everyone within 100 yards of you *knows* that your gun isn't loaded.
Very interesting points
I knew I could count on you guys
Since I have only tried trap a couple of times, I've never thought about the need or advantage of having two different sized chokes.
One other thing I overheard while at the range is that in general, O/U barrels are better quality and will serve much longer than those on semis or pumps. How much truth is in that?
I knew I could count on you guys
Since I have only tried trap a couple of times, I've never thought about the need or advantage of having two different sized chokes.One other thing I overheard while at the range is that in general, O/U barrels are better quality and will serve much longer than those on semis or pumps. How much truth is in that?
I know exactly what you mean. I've shot handguns for a while and I've seen people on more than one ocassion to carry a pistol around the range with the finger on the trigger and pointed in all kinds of different directions.ChillyW said:
When asked about it, the answer usually was - "Oh, it's not loaded" 
waterhouse
Member
Well, the reasons given are all nice and practical and all, and that may be why other people use them, but I like them because they are so darn pretty
pauli
Member
let's not forget the "because they cost more" market segment.
Smoke
Member
Then there is always the "cool factor"
Smoke
Smoke
Hawk
Member
You're in 870 territory heah, son.
I don't know anyone that's worn out a quality repeater. I've heard tell one can wear out a marginal O/U faster than a good repeater or high-end O/U. The inference from Beretta's catalog is that the DT-10 is constructed for a lot of use but I've not heard of the pigeon series going to early graves.
Now you've made me curious, would a competitive shooter wear out a mid-line O/U before an 870 or DT10?
sm
member
This gets into the Weight between the hands.
Referencing the shorter receiver as compared to the actions of a Repeater (Pump, or Semi) , and how a shotgun balances in one's hands. Some prefer the balance "point" in between , some a tad ahead of hands. This balance can and does play a role in gun mount to face, swing, follow-thru, recoil curve, recoil managament, and subsequent follow up shots.
Hey- the question was asked..why a O/U...
Then...we can get into the bbl length, and how a 26" barreled Semi/ Pump gun , is about the same overall length as a 28" O/U and how the 28" O/U will for many shooters actually be smoother, quicker to mount to face and less chance of stopping the swing.
I'm on roll folks...best clear me some room...
Den...err...Then, we can even get into since we have them shorter recievers on a O/U , we actually want longer barrels, 28", 30", 32" and 34" inch bbls to have recoil curve management, less felt recoil due to the fact the gun is stocked straighter, less muzzle flip, and we cannot forget - less perceived lead for the flying critter. Ya know them Skeeters are doing about 55 mph...yep. Them Evil TrapClays are hauling butt too...they only died tired from running tho'.
I'll save some stuff for another time. Yep...Yep...Brister said it best calling this Shotgunning and Art and Science
Gotta admit - Citori 3 barrel set sure is Purty. One reciever, 3 barrels for 3 different gauges.
We gots two barrel, 3 Barrel, and 4 barrel sets. Why we even gots Folks toting them O/Us with only One Reciever, One Barrel and Toting 4 Tubes allowing them to shoot 4 different gauges...
Thems the folks toting a battery operated drill going whirl, whirl, whirl...right before they change tubes... whacking on them O/Us with plastic hammers and such...
Helluva of show - and that is before they ever go out onto the field to do any shooting.
I'll stop at Why a O/U reason Number 47
-Ya don't give away your age.
If'n you ain't got to bend over to pick up hulls - nobody hears knees, shoulders, necks, and backs making noises like a Bowl of Rice Krispies. Folks won't have a need to ask your age.
I gots this stuff figured out. I aced Rationalization 101 - can't ya tell?
Run 'em
Steve
Hey SM, I prefer the "double sighting plane" of a SxS. Helps me to look in two directions at once.
Like many people, I shoot O/U better at targets, SxS better at game. The fun is having several examples of both to play with!
Scott
Like many people, I shoot O/U better at targets, SxS better at game. The fun is having several examples of both to play with!
Scott
sm
member
TaxPhd wrote:
Now you hush up now ya hear? Don't need to be telling everythang we know...you'll just confuse young 'uns is all.
I figure , let 'em learn the correct basic fundamentals first, tease with 28 ga in 870s next, taunt with the O/U, followed by needing a O/U in 28 ga of course.
Let this marinate, r-e-a-l good. Then we can do the SxS stuff , like how in the UK used for driven birds, and here in the States for similar and our own druthers...how the SxS has its own unique niche in this Shotgun stuff.
Then we hammer 'em but good on that SxS in 28 ga.
If'n you gonna be BAD - be good at it
.
Now you hush up now ya hear? Don't need to be telling everythang we know...you'll just confuse young 'uns is all.
I figure , let 'em learn the correct basic fundamentals first, tease with 28 ga in 870s next, taunt with the O/U, followed by needing a O/U in 28 ga of course.
Let this marinate, r-e-a-l good. Then we can do the SxS stuff , like how in the UK used for driven birds, and here in the States for similar and our own druthers...how the SxS has its own unique niche in this Shotgun stuff.
Then we hammer 'em but good on that SxS in 28 ga.
If'n you gonna be BAD - be good at it
Rupestris
Member
sm said:Now you hush up now ya hear? Don't need to be telling everythang we know...you'll just confuse young 'uns is all.
Let this marinate, r-e-a-l good. Then we can do the SxS stuff.
Then we hammer 'em but good on that SxS in 28 ga.
Would it be bad form to move from 870's directly into a SXS?
I only ask because someone that I thought was a friend let me shoot his SXS 20. He knew full well it would erase any desire for an O/U, and he let me shoot it anyway.
Over/unders won't serve longer than pumps but they will serve longer than semis. At 50 thousand rounds an o/u is just getting nicely broken in when most semis are getting somewhat tired.
Yes, they cost more. But regular target shooters will quite quickly spend more on shells and targets than the cost of most over/unders. What you are paying for is durability and longevity.
pauli said:
Yes, they cost more. But regular target shooters will quite quickly spend more on shells and targets than the cost of most over/unders. What you are paying for is durability and longevity.
White Horseradish
Member
Gangsta trap. Now, there's a concept...45auto said:I just turn those SXS's "sideways" and they shoot fine.
sm
member
LS,
Now we understand you are new to shotguns as you stated in your original post.
Some of us are "seasoned" are having a bit of fun - no disrespect intended.
I have one Winchester Super X Model 1 , this is a Semi-Auto , made in 1974, of machined steel. I have well over 200K rds thru this gun. Yes, you read correctly two hundred thousand.
Another example is a 870 in 28 ga I had. Made in 1955, the year I was born. I recieved this when it had somewheres over 100K rds, I put - who knows how many, another 100k perhaps? Folks wondered if it was attached to me, never seemed to be seen without it.
Citori 3 bbl set, Best Guess 300K rds between the 3 gauges.
Hence the reason we suggest getting a quality made firearm, and many of use prefer the OLDer metallurgy, and craftsmanship. Reliablity, dependibiity, and proven.
I once had a "bird" worth $5,000.00 . Granted I did not know the total amount of this "bird's" worth. I was too focused - yet it I knew that one "bird" was valuable. I did not know from whence this "bird" would fly, I did know I had to fell it within a limited circle of yardage, one was allowed two shots to do so.
Fella before me had "missed out". His Remington 3200 was a fine gun, just the shooter did not shoot his ususal game.
Fella before him had "missed out" as well, not the fault of his Perazzi MX8.
Sometimes one has a bad day - or the "birds ain't with you".
Wind kicked up, I stepped out...Wind kicked up and was going to be "pushing the bird".
Nothing else was on my mind but the leading edge of that 'bird' - I first had to "see it" - one cannot shoot what they cannot see...
Ruark said to always "shoot again"...My first shot had felled it well within the circle - I shot again to make sure.
It took a minute for me to actually realize this was over. It took a minute to actually hear folks, I was slowly getting "un-focused" from the world I had been in.
My "pardner" grabbed my SX1 from my hands, smiling with a tear in her eye...she hugged me with her free arm.
Then shoved my SX1 back at me and ran off to get the monies...
I trusted then, as I do now that same SX1 with over 200k rds.
Some guns are proven within platforms.
There is hardly nothing some man cannot make of cheaper quality and sell for less. Those whom purchase based on price alone are this man's prey-Ruskin
Buy proven , reliable quality, learn the correct basic fundamentals, and continue to practice.
One learns the correct basic fundamentals - and never stops learning them- Plaxco
Now we understand you are new to shotguns as you stated in your original post.
Some of us are "seasoned" are having a bit of fun - no disrespect intended.
I have one Winchester Super X Model 1 , this is a Semi-Auto , made in 1974, of machined steel. I have well over 200K rds thru this gun. Yes, you read correctly two hundred thousand.
Another example is a 870 in 28 ga I had. Made in 1955, the year I was born. I recieved this when it had somewheres over 100K rds, I put - who knows how many, another 100k perhaps? Folks wondered if it was attached to me, never seemed to be seen without it.
Citori 3 bbl set, Best Guess 300K rds between the 3 gauges.
Hence the reason we suggest getting a quality made firearm, and many of use prefer the OLDer metallurgy, and craftsmanship. Reliablity, dependibiity, and proven.
I once had a "bird" worth $5,000.00 . Granted I did not know the total amount of this "bird's" worth. I was too focused - yet it I knew that one "bird" was valuable. I did not know from whence this "bird" would fly, I did know I had to fell it within a limited circle of yardage, one was allowed two shots to do so.
Fella before me had "missed out". His Remington 3200 was a fine gun, just the shooter did not shoot his ususal game.
Fella before him had "missed out" as well, not the fault of his Perazzi MX8.
Sometimes one has a bad day - or the "birds ain't with you".
Wind kicked up, I stepped out...Wind kicked up and was going to be "pushing the bird".
Nothing else was on my mind but the leading edge of that 'bird' - I first had to "see it" - one cannot shoot what they cannot see...
Ruark said to always "shoot again"...My first shot had felled it well within the circle - I shot again to make sure.
It took a minute for me to actually realize this was over. It took a minute to actually hear folks, I was slowly getting "un-focused" from the world I had been in.
My "pardner" grabbed my SX1 from my hands, smiling with a tear in her eye...she hugged me with her free arm.
Then shoved my SX1 back at me and ran off to get the monies...
I trusted then, as I do now that same SX1 with over 200k rds.
Some guns are proven within platforms.
There is hardly nothing some man cannot make of cheaper quality and sell for less. Those whom purchase based on price alone are this man's prey-Ruskin
Buy proven , reliable quality, learn the correct basic fundamentals, and continue to practice.
One learns the correct basic fundamentals - and never stops learning them- Plaxco
odysseus
Member
ahhh good thread. I just posted the same question and found this. I am new to clay shooting and was wondering the same thing...
Father Knows Best
Member
sm said:
My favorite shotgun is a Winchester model 1897 made in 1901 (12 gauge, 32" barrel, takedown). It has almost none of the original finish left. I bought it used a few years back for $200. I shoot it better than any other shotgun I have ever tried. I still use my Browning Citori O/U (also bought "well used") for skeet and clays most of the time, but that's just because the doubles get awful tricky with the pump action. On singles, I am clearly better with the old '97.
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