Anyone Use a 20ga for Skeet?

[The Rabbi]

If KahrMan will let me, I have acquired a 20ga o/u shotgun I want to use for skeet.

Now, I have shot skeet once (with a Rem 870 Marine Magnum). I would have done marginally better throwing the shells at the target. I understand a 20 is already a handicap but is it that much?

Thanks.

[Guest Halfpint]

The majority of people I know who are "serious" about it use 12ga, but about one in four or five uses 20ga and is reasonably competitive among friends--22 or 23 out of 25 or there abouts.

FWIW, playing at it, I've only used 20ga and beaten the majority of the guys I shoot against--though part of that might be due to their non-competitive attitudes.

[Guest c.a.s.]

I've tried using a 20 gauge before. It was Mike's, a break barrel. I would have done much, much better throwing the shells at the clays. But that's just me. First time shooting clays, and I suck at it anyway.

[molonlabetn]

The most fun I ever had shooting clays was with the cheap Charles Daly 20ga autoloader I used to have... it was a Wal-mart special for about $300, but it pointed well, and I noticed no difference between it and a 12ga in terms of the authority with which it put down the birds. The recoil was nice, too, being both a 20ga and an autoloader.

I did best with 3" #6 shells as I recall.

The reason I got it was one particular trip to Wal-Mart to buy some 12ga shells for the upcoming weekend, I accidentally picked up a couple 100rd boxes of 20ga shelved with the 12ga stuff, and didn't notice until I got home... of course they don't accept returns on ammo, and I didn't know anybody who shot 20ga... so I did the most logical thing and bought a gun which fit my ammo.

I sold it to a friend several years later pretty cheap, but not before I wrung my money's worth of fun out of it and had stopped shooting skeet as often as I used to when I moved to Nashville.

So yeah, 20ga is plenty. Even .410 will get it done if you like a challenge.

[Im Neero]

I don't think .20 ga is that much of a handicap when you get down to it, but there is a difference. On occasion, I break out the .410 to break clays with, and that's a completely different story.

[Guest Fuel]

My boss shoots a 20. He's a decent shot, nothing spectacular. He does ok with it.

[RASHGUNNER]

I find a 20 works fine on stations 1,2,6,7,8 the 12 does help on stations 3,4,5 so if you are starting you may shoot higher scores with a 12 but once you are more experienced a 12 is not as much help.

[NuTcAsE]

I want one of these for skeet.......

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7Vt0mr2sjE[/ame]

[Guest mc30707]

I use a 20 ga. 870 wingmaster. I shoot marginally better with my 12 ga. Pumps aren't as good for doubles.

[GaryXD]

I don't think 20ga is much of a handicap in skeet. The big boys shoot 20ga in 12ga class anyway.

On the other hand I've only shot 100 straight with a 12ga, but I'm no pro.

[Guest Shooting Coach]

The 20 is more than enough for Skeet. Many folks run their first 100 straight with the 28.

Your longest shot is 24 yards.

This Spring we should all go shoot at Big Springs Clay Targets. Skeet, Trap, Bunker, Wobble. Best targets in the state, best run club anywhere.