williegunn88 Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 Hello all, I wonder if anyone might be able to shed some light on the trouble I'm having with my 20 bore, namely that I can't hit a thing with it! I'm not the greatest shot in the world, but neither am I the worst, and I hit stuff comfortably most of the time with my 12. I don't use a cartridge which is substantially different through the 20 bore. I'm using 28 gram 6's & 5's (depending on what I'm trying to shoot) which is very similar to what I'd be using through the 12, so I don't imagine that performance should be vastly different? I'm not hugely confident with the particular cartridges which I am using, but I was given thousands of them when I bought the gun, and I've never been one to believe that consistent missing is a fault of the cartridge, no matter what make. The gun fits me well enough and when I dry mount it, it really feels like a gun I should be able to shoot well with but it is demoralising to take it out and fire perhaps 20 shots with 3 or 4 birds hit. Anybody have any ideas? Thanks very much. WG88. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRDS Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 (edited) Try it on a Pattern sheet staple some lining paper to a pallet of similar. Shoot instinctively don't aim and it will tell you whether it is shooting where you are looking and if it is Patterning OK. If it is doing both it could just be you are stopping the gun there is less natural follow through with a 20 bore due to its lighter weight you have to consciously keep it moving. Other option take it and have a lesson with a good coach he should be able to answer all those questions, it will be money well spent. Don't give up on it they are great for a walk round gun and kill just as well as a 12. Edited January 9, 2017 by JRDS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 Likely gun fit. I'd also wager that the 20 is a bit lighter than the 12 and you aren't getting enough swing weight from the 20 and are slowing the gun down on a swing. Only way to know for sure is to pop to the clay ground and shoot 25 skeet (my usual way to understand what is wrong). Do it with someone who knows what they are doing and they can tell you if you are high and behind (my guess, just for S&G). thanks rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 Likely gun fit. I'd also wager that the 20 is a bit lighter than the 12 and you aren't getting enough swing weight from the 20 and are slowing the gun down on a swing. Only way to know for sure is to pop to the clay ground and shoot 25 skeet (my usual way to understand what is wrong). Do it with someone who knows what they are doing and they can tell you if you are high and behind (my guess, just for S&G). thanks rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 I bought a 20gauge Silver Pigeon once and couldn't hit a thing with it even though the fit was the same as my Urika. I sold it and later bought a Franchi Alcione in 20gauge which I shoot well. Gun fit even if it all seems right, and time to bed into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrBob Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 Try the light, 21g loads, eg Hull Pro Twenty, or Eley Amber at close range birds, just to get the feel of things. I smash clays with 21 and 24, but do badly with 28 g. Dunno why! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 Go back to your 12 bore. I have tried 20 bores but they just do not suit my style of shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 When ever I picked up my 28bore I would go miles in front of the birds, took me a while to realize why I kept missing. Soon sorted it out but had to be conscious of it all the time. Same with any of my other guns after using the Kreighoff at clays for a few times before picking up another lighter gun. A day on the clayswill help you as they are repeatable to let you adjust accordingly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 Is it choked considerably tighter? If not then 10 minutes with a coach should sort you out - don't get overanxious about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 Apart from the gunfit (which is important), I would try an array of different cartridges. I once tested 10 different makes/loads through a EELL 20. The results were quite enlightening. Only about 4 of the brands/loads gave an acceptable pattern. I do know that when I shoot my Beretta 20, which weighs 6lbs 3ozs. I really have to concentrate on keeping the gun moving. It does move quickly BUT it can also stop quickly too ! I have found that the Express cartridges in 24 gram work well on clays and the RC Sipe in 6 shot for game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williegunn88 Posted January 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 Thanks for advice everyone. This gives me a few ideas of places to start looking to fix the issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kody Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 You got to be more precise with a smaller calibre and not to much choke in a twenty 1/4 and 1/2 plenty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 (edited) Having a similar experience with a recent 20b acquisition ! Struggled even on clays but managed to sort that out.Feathered stuff is different,pull off some stormers but miss most if more than 25yds away !!!! The gun fits perfectly ,throws good even patterns,so I know it`s myself at fault but struggle to figure it all out . This is 20b number 7 ,so I think I`m acquainted with them in general......but this is a Beretta................ Edited January 9, 2017 by matone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 This is 20b number 7 ,so I think I`m acquainted with them in general......but this is a Beretta................ So you may have found a gun that you like and suits you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 Strangely I`m revisiting a Beretta 20b last tried in the early 80`s ....and having similar results !!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 Strangely I`m revisiting a Beretta 20b last tried in the early 80`s ....and having similar results !!!!! Maybe it is the cobwebs down the barrels that is destroying your patterns ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 Stop over thinking what ur doing,just shoot the gun!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 Maybe it is the cobwebs down the barrels that is destroying your patterns ! It`s not the exact same gun ,just same spec !lol ! Bit too light for consistent shooting is my thoughts on them,although plenty seem to shoot well with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esca Posted January 10, 2017 Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 (edited) I was given the advise that with the smaller bores (I use 28 and 20) "As soon as the bead touches the beak pull the trigger and flick the gun through" Edited January 10, 2017 by Esca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted January 10, 2017 Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 I was given the advise that with the smaller bores (I use 28 and 20) "As soon as the bead touches the beak pull the trigger flick the gun through and pull the trigger" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted January 10, 2017 Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 (edited) I think that is probably very good advice ! Edited January 10, 2017 by matone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demonwolf444 Posted January 12, 2017 Report Share Posted January 12, 2017 Gun fit but also weight can affect. I shoot many light weight (6lbs) 12 bores but had a heavy 12 that was more like 8.5lbs took quite a lot of practice with it before I hit anything despite it being stocked to identical measurements. It just took more to get the barrels moving that I was used to than with my whippier light guns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted January 12, 2017 Report Share Posted January 12, 2017 Would agree with that too! Personally though ,I have no problems with my 26" lwt s/s which makes this 20b more of a conundrum .Lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted January 12, 2017 Report Share Posted January 12, 2017 Hello all, I can't hit a thing with it! I don't use a cartridge which is substantially different through the 20 bore. I'm using 28 gram 6's & 5's (depending on what I'm trying to shoot) which is very similar to what I'd be using through the 12, so I don't imagine that performance should be vastly different? I'm not hugely confident with the particular cartridges which I am using, I've never been one to believe that consistent missing is a fault of the cartridge, no matter what make. The gun fits me well enough and when I dry mount it, it really feels like a gun I should be able to shoot with. Blame the cartridge manufacturers leadless cartridges! Don't over think it through. Get some slow clays thrown at you to gain a bit of confidence. Use the cartridges that you haven't got confidence in because if you mis you won't feel that you are wasting good cartridges and if you hit it will show you that they did have lead in them after all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted January 12, 2017 Report Share Posted January 12, 2017 It`s not the exact same gun ,just same spec !lol ! Bit too light for consistent shooting is my thoughts on them,although plenty seem to shoot well with them. I normally use a 12 bore sporter weighing in at around 8 1/4lbs, but I occasionally give the 20 bore an airing, which weighs 6 1/4lbs. both have 30" barrels so the 'sight picture' remains pretty constant. I find I have to work harder using the 20. I do have to concentrate more to keep the barrels moving on the lighter gun, it is far easier to stop it. It takes a couple of stands to get back up to usual form. I do enjoy using it occasionally though. Perhaps you just need a few rounds of skeet to get used to moving the gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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