Good Side by Side shotgun for Trap Shooting/

[coyote trapper1928]

Hi:

 What are some good Side by Side shotguns for Trap shooting?  Got an old Winchester 1300 XTR 20 gauge shotgun, but wondering if a double would be better.

Thanks,

[Graybeard]

Well now if you're talking about the formal clay target game called TRAP where in you shoot five targets each from five stations and rotate to the next station in line after your five shots neither gun is all that suitable. No one I'm aware of has shot that game competitively with a SxS in at least 40 years. It is ruled by pumps, semiautos and especially O/Us.

The 20 ga. is a bit weak for it also but with a modified or full choke might do OK on 16 yard line shooting just for fun. If you just want to have fun and practice shooting then use whatever shotgun you hunt with. If you are even remotely thinking of shooting it more seriously then get a real trap gun. Unless shooting doubles which most folks don't a pump is my personal favorite trap gun. I like the Winchester Model 12 or the Remington Model 870 Wingmaster trap guns.

[coyote trapper1928]

What caused the side by side shotgun to go out of style for Trap shooting?

[Graybeard]

The people using them kept getting beaten by those NOT using them. The single sighting plane is far superior for any and all clay target games.

[rldarmstr]

ct1928................ditto Graybeard, but I have to say that I and my "LC" have a wonderfull time at informal trap and skeet shoots. The guys with the expensive guns snub their arogant noses at her until I start shooting. I'm only a 20-22 class shooter on the skeet range but that's more than the regulars think possible with a SxS. They been brain washed and been shooting those single barreled guns too long.

As for as Skeet is concerned, I believe that the game was first shot predominantly with pump guns, correct me if that's wrong, and I have seen some very good shots use pump guns to their best advantage.

It's alwasy been my personal opinion that a good shot is a good shot, no matter what gun he/she picks up. That holds true in reverse also.

I enjoy my SxS but I don't compete with her........if I was a better shot I think I would, because I truely enjoy the fit and feel of that ol' girl!