I didn't think it was possible either: Busting clays with my coach gun.

[Deer Hunter]

After getting all the animals fed yesterday, my father asked if I wanted to go try my hand at shooting a couple clay pigeons. Since it would be my second time to ever shoot them, I wanted to just for the practise.

We went to our usual shooting hang-out with an old clay-pitcher, a 1940's 20 gauge automatic, and my Stoeger Coach gun 12 gauge with 20" barrels. I didn't expect to do very well, seeing as how this would be the second time I had ever shot skeet (Shocking, I know.). I couldn't hit anything my first couple of rounds, but soon, after a bit of coaching, I was able to bust every one my father would send into the air. All from a short-barreled shotgun as well!

The ducks didn't fly over us this year, but next year I hope to use my shotgun to bag a few of them. I was very surprised to find me busting clays with the shotgun, but I guess we all have a bit of learning to do in our lifetimes.

 

[MCgunner]

If you shoot quick enough, I've found shooting clays with my .410 contender is possible inside 25 yards. I don't have a coach gun, but if it's open bore, I'd reckon a similar range restriction would be in order.

 

[tango3065]

Deer Hunter whats your opinion on the stoger coach guns?

 

[Deer Hunter]

For 300 dollars, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better double-gun. Fit and finish? Not as good as a 1000 dollar berreta, but my gun goes bang every time. I love it, although I did have to put a nice recoil pad on it to soften it when shooting heavy 3" shells. Fun gun to shoot. I had two light primer strikes out of 400 or so rounds, but I believe it was more the ammo than anything (cheap stuff). It is still pretty stiff to open, but the more I shoot it the smoother it gets. I think it's a great gun which hasn't let me down yet. People say crappy things about them, but that's only because of the cheap price tag. I really don't have a bad word to say about them, they're great guns for the money. If you want one, pick one up. You wont be disappointed.

I was busting clays at 35 yards.

 

[BillL223]

Barrel length is not nearly as important as choke. I've shot very well screwing around at the local trap club with an 18" Benelli.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Yeah, but his double gun was a cylinder bore.

 

[SASS#23149]

chokes on coach guns

Not all are cylinder bored.I had a Rossi wi/outside hammers that had choke to the bores.Not sure about the Stoegeres.
I have the Stoeger uplander w/28" barrels and for the money it's a great little sxs.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Not all are cylinder bored.I had a Rossi wi/outside hammers that had choke to the bores.Not sure about the Stoegeres.
I have the Stoeger uplander w/28" barrels and for the money it's a great little sxs.

I agree. I have the Coach Gun, which sits loaded with buck shot in a convenient location. I'm happy with the quality for the money. It's no Parker, but it fires when you pull the triggers.

 

[Darrin]

The 10 or so times I shot skeet, I used my 20" Mossberg 590. I'm sure I could have done better with a longer barrel, but I was happy with my results.

 

[Deer Hunter]

The barrels on my stoeger coach gun are improved cylinder and modified. Right is IC, left is M.

I could probably do better with my dad's 28" 12 gauge, but I honestly like shooting my little coach gun better.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

If yours have choke, I guess mine does too. I just assumed it was cylinder bore.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

I just used the caliber, and the right bore at the muzzle is twenty-five thousandths of an inch larger than the left bore. I guess that means it has two different chokes.

 

[Mulliga]

There's an article in this month's American Rifleman about the Stoeger. Pretty positive review.

I don't see why shooting skeet with a modern "coach gun" would be any more difficult than with a regular 20" barrel 12 gauge. I have no idea what happens when you do it with an authentic ultra short-barreled coach gun...

 

[Delivery McGee]

My first time shooting clays was with a little .410 double, and I did better than I have since with 12-gauge pumps (although I'm decent with my 18" cylinder 870).