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Feb 12th, 2024
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 Don't know about my new 20ga...
#1681963
09/19/10 10:41 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 460
dr730
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 460 |
I recently got a new 20ga Browning Cynergy Classic Field O/U. I have always used a 12ga pump for all my dove hunting and typically if the birds are flying, I will limit out or get real close to it. I have had several opportunities to limit out this season but I ca't seem to hit a freaking thing with my new 20ga!!!! It's driving me nuts! So I took it to the skeet range at elm fork to get some practice with it. 1st round I got 17 out of 25 and second round I got 20 out of 25. I thought I was good to go. Back out dove hunting this weekend and did VERY poorly again with it. I am thinking about going back to my old cheap 12 ga just so I can get some dang birds in the bag. Anybody else experienced something like this? Should I go to a 3" shell in it? I have heard of some people not being able to hit the broad side of a barn with an O/U but I made sure that this gun fit me and mounted up good before I bought it.
Founder,Texasgundogclub.com
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Re: Don't know about my new 20ga...
[Re: dr730]
#1682269
09/20/10 12:55 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 516
TexasFJ
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 516 |
What chokes are you shooting? If you shot that well at the skeet field, then I might think that your chokes are too open. I shoot improved in one barrel and modified in the other in my Ruger o/u 20 ga. But if the birds are flying really high, I will change those out. I have never shot skeet chokes in the field. Plus, shot size can have an impact. I used to shoot size 9 shot. But that was when you might see one or two whitewings. Now that is about the only thing we see. I have switched to size 7, and in some cases I shoot 6's.
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Re: Don't know about my new 20ga...
[Re: TexasFJ]
#1682453
09/20/10 01:47 AM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 460
dr730
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 460 |
I've got improved cylinder and modified chokes in it. This last hunt I was shooting 7 1/2 shot 7/8 ounce shells.
Founder,Texasgundogclub.com
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Re: Don't know about my new 20ga...
[Re: dr730]
#1682525
09/20/10 02:14 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,504
DSP56
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,504 |
Your chokes are fine. You might try 1oz heavy field loads instead of those 7/8oz.
If I had a big horse pistol like that , I would'nt be scared of no Booger Man! - Rooster Cogburn
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Re: Don't know about my new 20ga...
[Re: dr730]
#1682536
09/20/10 02:16 AM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,178
yukons95
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,178 |
i shoot improved cylinder on top and light modified on bottom. that works for me. maybe it's alot lighter than your 12 and you are swinging too fast? are you using 1 oz loads with at least 7 1/2 or 8 shot. if you get tired of it i will buy it from you at a good price?
Last edited by yukons95; 09/20/10 02:16 AM.
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Re: Don't know about my new 20ga...
[Re: yukons95]
#1682598
09/20/10 02:29 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 32,085
txtrophy85
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 32,085 |
i just picked up a new side by side last week, after shooting wingmasters and 1100's my whole life.
never could hit birds very well with O/Us that i've borrowed in the past, and i was worried about that with my new gun, plus the fact that i bought a 20 and not a 12.
was shooting the winchester super speeds 7/8ths ounce loads, and I shot the gun wonderfully. shooting improved and modified. killed birds moving fast and at ranges i would consider the outer limits of shotgun range, be it a 12 or 20.
i would just practice a bit more, but bring the old gun along, if you hit alot better with tht, you just may shoot it better.
my friend shoots a winchester 101 in 20 gauge, and he kills more birds with it than anybody shooting a 12 gauge, a 20 is perfectly fine for dove and quail.
Last edited by txtrophy85; 09/20/10 02:30 AM.
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Don't know about my new 20ga...
[Re: txtrophy85]
#1683426
09/20/10 02:50 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 460
dr730
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 460 |
So could going to a 1oz shot instead of a 7/8oz really make that much difference that I would go from hitting hardly anything with it to hitting consistently again? I know the answer depends on many variables but I am not used to shooting this badly. I'm kind of freaking out here. LOL!
Founder,Texasgundogclub.com
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Re: Don't know about my new 20ga...
[Re: dr730]
#1683528
09/20/10 03:26 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 32,085
txtrophy85
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 32,085 |
to be honest, imo, an extra 1/8th ounce of shot isn't goin to make that much difference.
maybe your stopping your swing, not leading enough, etc.
my buddies typically shoot 7/8ths ounce loads as 1 ounce are harder to find, and they do fine, and these are just average guys, not skeet champions.
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Don't know about my new 20ga...
[Re: dr730]
#1683559
09/20/10 03:34 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,029
TexasEd
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,029 |
1. Dove are harder to hit that skeet
2. It could be the difference in mounting from rest while hunting and pre-mounting the gun while at the range
3. Just because your chokes are good at the skeet range does not mean they are right for dove hunting unless the targets are the same range.
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Re: Don't know about my new 20ga...
[Re: TexasEd]
#1683629
09/20/10 04:02 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 460
dr730
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 460 |
Yeah, I'm just perplexed because I have typically gotten a limit or darn close to it on every hunt (when the birds are there) with my old cheap mossberg 12ga pump but now I have a nice shotgun that feels like it fits perfect and I can't hit jack crap with it. I guess I'll just give it some more practice. You are right that dove are harder to hit than skeet but it's always translated from the range to the field for me before.
Founder,Texasgundogclub.com
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Re: Don't know about my new 20ga...
[Re: dr730]
#1684425
09/20/10 09:08 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 974
rjd
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 974 |
I had a Citori and had the same problem. While it felt really good, I found out after I sold it to my brother that the stock was actually about 1/2" too long. It felt like it mounted well, but just couldn't hit a thing. Now shooting a Winchester 101, and the slightly shorter stock equals lots of dead birds. Check the length of pull on it against the Mossberg.
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Re: Don't know about my new 20ga...
[Re: rjd]
#1684545
09/20/10 09:48 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 460
dr730
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 460 |
I had a Citori and had the same problem. While it felt really good, I found out after I sold it to my brother that the stock was actually about 1/2" too long. It felt like it mounted well, but just couldn't hit a thing. Now shooting a Winchester 101, and the slightly shorter stock equals lots of dead birds. Check the length of pull on it against the Mossberg. You're scaring me now.  I'll check that, thanks.
Founder,Texasgundogclub.com
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Re: Don't know about my new 20ga...
[Re: dr730]
#1688303
09/22/10 02:55 AM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,061
deckhand
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,061 |
I would suggest that you check aim point of the gun. It may be shooting a touch higher/lower than your old field gun. I am have to "learn" to shoot a new to me perfect Wingmaster. I can do just fine on dove with my Ithica 37 and Win. M12. Last time out (first with Wingmaster) I could not hit a bird solid. My hunting buddy with much more experience with guns than me told me Wingmasters shoot higher than most field guns. So I say go shoot at a paper target with a dot, and check where the pattern is.
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Re: Don't know about my new 20ga...
[Re: dr730]
#1688344
09/22/10 03:07 AM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 733
redriverpigger
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 733 |
Check the overall lenght of your Browning and compare it to your pump. You will see that it will be alot shorter than your pump since it has no reciever. Barrel lenght should be the same. You have a shorter sight picture and may be over swinging the birds. Work on a smooth follow through and finger pull. Overall length of a gun will make a big difference until you get used to it.
I carry a gun because a cop is to heavy!
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Re: Don't know about my new 20ga...
[Re: redriverpigger]
#1688462
09/22/10 04:04 AM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 460
dr730
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 460 |
Thanks for the advice guys. I went dove hunting tonight with it again and missed the first 4 shots but after that I started hitting birds slowly but surely. It's just different that my other gun in several different ways so I am having to adjust some things and learn how to shoot it. I hope it works out because besides not being able to hit birds with it, I sure do love the gun! lol
Founder,Texasgundogclub.com
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Re: Don't know about my new 20ga...
[Re: dr730]
#1690196
09/22/10 08:21 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,954
huntwest
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,954 |
I recently got a new 20ga Browning Cynergy Classic Field O/U. I have always used a 12ga pump for all my dove hunting and typically if the birds are flying, I will limit out or get real close to it. I have had several opportunities to limit out this season but I ca't seem to hit a freaking thing with my new 20ga!!!! It's driving me nuts! So I took it to the skeet range at elm fork to get some practice with it. 1st round I got 17 out of 25 and second round I got 20 out of 25. I thought I was good to go. Back out dove hunting this weekend and did VERY poorly again with it. I am thinking about going back to my old cheap 12 ga just so I can get some dang birds in the bag. Anybody else experienced something like this? Should I go to a 3" shell in it? I have heard of some people not being able to hit the broad side of a barn with an O/U but I made sure that this gun fit me and mounted up good before I bought it. Browning o/u are usually stocked a little high and you probably are shooting over the bird. try putting the bead at the birds feet and see if it helps. I had the same problem with a 625 field and I got ahold of the Browning rep in North Texas. It took a while to get used to it after shooting an auto for years but now it is second nature.
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Re: Don't know about my new 20ga...
[Re: huntwest]
#1690217
09/22/10 08:29 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,161
Texas Proud
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,161 |
Are you trying to kill them too far away?? Try a different choke.....it may work better for you.
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Re: Don't know about my new 20ga...
[Re: Texas Proud]
#1690249
09/22/10 08:39 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,359
COWDOG
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,359 |
Had the same problem with my Browning Citori.
I did improve however
I shoot my "over" barrel first then my under barrel (Bottom).
I know there is a lot of oldtimers who tell me to shot the Bottom first but to each his own...
I now have / use a Browning Maxus and IN LOVE
"If I die in Dallas, drag my cold, dead body back to Fort Worth" 
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Re: Don't know about my new 20ga...
[Re: Texas Proud]
#1690466
09/22/10 09:45 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 460
dr730
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 460 |
Are you trying to kill them too far away?? Try a different choke.....it may work better for you.
Uh...no. I hate to admit this but I missed two birds that couldn't have been much more than 12 yards away....a couple of times.... I'll try aiming lower.
Founder,Texasgundogclub.com
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Re: Don't know about my new 20ga...
[Re: dr730]
#1697318
09/25/10 09:55 AM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,796
P_102
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,796 |
#1: If you're shooting birds inside about 30 yards switch to more open chokes, sk and imp.
#2: Mount the gun with your eyes closed, then open them. I'd guess you're going to see a lot of the rib (you shouldn't if gun fits properly) and you are shooting high.
P_102
Do not trifle in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
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Re: Don't know about my new 20ga...
[Re: P_102]
#1697630
09/25/10 03:55 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 79
hookset56
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 79 |
Shoulder your pump gun and look down the barrel. If you have been hitting birds you are probably looking flat down the barrel. Now shoulder your new OU. Again look down the barrel. I suspect you are looking down on the barrel instead of looking flat down the barrel. This is all in the way you "cheek"(placement of the gun on your cheek) the gun. Adjust your stock or adjust the placement of the stock on you cheek to get a flat view down the barrel. Hope this helps
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Re: Don't know about my new 20ga...
[Re: hookset56]
#1698312
09/25/10 10:56 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 460
dr730
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 460 |
Shoulder your pump gun and look down the barrel. If you have been hitting birds you are probably looking flat down the barrel. Now shoulder your new OU. Again look down the barrel. I suspect you are looking down on the barrel instead of looking flat down the barrel. This is all in the way you "cheek"(placement of the gun on your cheek) the gun. Adjust your stock or adjust the placement of the stock on you cheek to get a flat view down the barrel. Hope this helps That's exactly what's happening. I just tried what you said. I guess I was mounting the gun a little differently in the store when I bought it. I'll have to learn how to mount this gun differently when I shoot. I there any accessories that I can use that would help this? Like a recoil pad of some sort?
Founder,Texasgundogclub.com
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Re: Don't know about my new 20ga...
[Re: dr730]
#1699070
09/26/10 09:04 AM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,796
P_102
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,796 |
Some Cynergy's come w/ an adjustable stock. If yours did not it should have some "shims" that came with it to adjust the drop, possible even the cast also.
P_102
Do not trifle in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
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Re: Don't know about my new 20ga...
[Re: P_102]
#1709494
09/30/10 01:43 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 79
hookset56
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 79 |
What P_102 said. Need to drop stock. You can learn to shoulder the gun. Only prob this might cause is a tender cheek bone if you shoot a lot of round in one setting. Best thing to do is put some rounds thru it and make your adjustments. 
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Re: Don't know about my new 20ga...
[Re: hookset56]
#1709686
09/30/10 02:56 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 120
BowInHand_71
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 120 |
Just be patient and shoot the gun it will take you awhile to get used to a new gun. had the same problem with my over and under and after shooting it for awhile i can hit pretty well with it.
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