Gauge adapters - Anyone use them?

NDBDHunter · Post by **NDBDHunter** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 12:03 pm

I used a 20 gauge to 28 gauge adapter in my BSS last weekend and the recoil was non-existent. This would be a great set-up for young shooters and those that are recoil shy. When I shoot a couple rounds of skeet with my BSS, shooting regular target ammo (AA, Peters) I get a black and blue mark. I suspect that shooting 28 g shells in my 20 SXS would be just the ticket for flinch free clays shooting. A few write-ups in Shooting Sportsman and Grays (?) have discussed these products and patterns are virtually the same and muzzle velocity is actually increased, which I find surprizing. Has anyone else tried them?

Wagonmaster · Post by **Wagonmaster** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 2:53 pm

If the black and blue mark is in your bicep, which is common, it means you are mounting the shotgun on your arm. It should go in the hollow of your shoulder. If you put it there and shoot 1 oz. loads, you should not have a black and blue mark. There is no need for more than 1 oz. at skeet, nor for any other shotgun sport for that matter. Low vel. low recoil 1 oz. are fine for skeet. You could even shoot 7/8 if you can find them for the 12.

NDBDHunter · Post by **NDBDHunter** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 3:15 pm

Hey John,
After shooting skeet with my light weight SXS the bruise is not on my arm/bisep but in the "pocket" of my shoulder. I can only shoot a few rounds of skeet with it before I start flinching. Shooting a lot of shells with a light weight gun confirms the use of heavier guns when shooting often.

I'm a proponent of low velocity low recoil loads. I love shooting 2.5 inch 1oz, no. 7.5/6's, 12 gauge loads from RST. If I do my part, they will do there's, even on pheasants over a pointing dog.

I tell you what those gauge adapters are slick.

Wagonmaster · Post by **Wagonmaster** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 4:58 pm

Ouch. 28's would sure help.

Coach529 · Post by **Coach529** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 5:09 pm

I have often thought of getting a set of 12 to 20 guage adapters for my my Citori.

Are there any drawbacks?? I suppose your ejectors will no longer work.

ohiogsp · Post by **ohiogsp** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 5:37 pm

Are these the ones that go all the way down the barrel? I was just thinking about buying a .410 for gun introduction but these adaptors sound great if they are not expensive.

NDBDHunter · Post by **NDBDHunter** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 8:34 am

There are a few draw backs:

1. The ejectors still work but the whole adapter and spent shell are ejected as one. There's one company that has adapters that remain in place and that will work with the extractors or ejectors

2. You have to remove the spent shell from the gauge adapter which is just a little difficult, (15 seconds or so) because the shell expanded just enough to make it pretty snug.

3. And it's not very quick. Not as quick as removing the spent shells and dropping in another pair.

4. They will not work in pumps or Auto's which isn't an issue for me because I don't shoot them anyway.

The pro's are:

1. Reduced recoil

2. If you have an unusual gauged or chambered gun you can buy an adapter and shoot common ammo. Such as 10 gauge gun you could buy a 12 gauge adapter or a 16 a 20 or a 28 and shoot factory ammo. Or if you have a really usual gauge like a 24 or 32 or an 11 you can buy an adapter and shoot factory ammo. Another example would be if you owned a 2.5" chambered 12 gauge, (like the older American made doubles) you could buy an adapter to shoot 16 gauge or 20 gauge shells.

3. If you want to shoot other gauge you can do that without buying a new gun. But don't tell the other/better half that. Then there won't be an excuse for that new one you've been drooling over down at the sporting goods store.

The adapter is only about 3 to 3.5 inches long. They are not full length.

Wagonmaster · Post by **Wagonmaster** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 8:46 am

OK Tom, you got me there. I pride myself on knowing a fair amount about shotguns. I have fired a 24, seen a 32 and have a friend who loves his 8. I own a 10, several 12's, a 16, a 20, a couple of 28's and a .410, plus a skeet set with all the gauges except the 16. I know there is a 9mm shotgun- Flobert.

Ballistic Products is just a couple of miles from my house and the owners are friends, so I can go over there and look at all the uniquely sized shotshells I want, 2 1/2"s etc. They carry some 32's and 24's, shells that is.

But I have never heard of a real live 11 ga. New one on me.

PS Found one, black powder it looks like. http://www.muskets.net/Flintl%20&%20Per ... PS-019.htm

NDBDHunter · Post by **NDBDHunter** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 8:58 am

There's an 11 gauge hammer gun in the Cabela's in East Grand Forks. It might be on their web site. It would be fun to own.

edited: I looked and it's not on the website, sorry.

Chaingang · Post by **Chaingang** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 11:31 am

NDBDHunter wrote:1. The ejectors still work but the whole adapter and spent shell are ejected as one. There's one company that has adapters that remain in place and that will work with the extractors or ejectors

Would this be the company? http://littleskeeters.com/products.htm

Then again there's these from Briley " sidekicks" http://www.briley.com/index.asp?PageAct ... ategory=56

NDBDHunter · Post by **NDBDHunter** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 1:28 pm

There are several manufacturers that I've read about, but the adapters I have are by Gauge Mate

http://www.gaugemate.com/

ohiogsp · Post by **ohiogsp** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 5:10 pm

These are great, I am going to make some of my own. Cool

Post by **Greg Jennings** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 7:54 pm

All of the top skeet shooters shoot full-length tube sets in the 410, 28 and 20. Some shoot their O/U in the 12, some stay with the 20, some swap off to a gas slush-a-matic.

IMHO, there is nothing on the face of the earth that shoots better.

Best,

Coach529 · Post by **Coach529** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 9:52 pm

Thanks for the link Tom!!

I shoot a round or two a month of sporting clays during the the summer months, 20 guage adapters would be the ticket for my sore shoulder.

Wagonmaster · Post by **Wagonmaster** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 7:57 am

The 20's aren't a whole lot lighter than 1oz. twelve loads when it comes to recoil. 1 oz. to 7/8 oz. is not much. For whatever reason, the 28's always seemed to be a significant recoil drop to me though. Just pricey to buy. Great if you reload though.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 8:44 am

Wow this might be the ticket for us too. We have an old Ithica sxs 10 ga. that was used for the Chase Manhatten Bank Guards. The barrels are really short but the thing is so uncomfortable to shoot that we havent used it much. Maybe using the adapters to bring it down to a 12 ga. Would work fine. Is there any problems with wear and tear by doing this?

NDBDHunter · Post by **NDBDHunter** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 9:18 am

I've just recently tried them and have no experience with long term use but I can't see where they would cause any "wear and tear". It sounds like it would be just the ticket for that old Ithaca. You could even shoot 20 gauge shells in it.

gonehuntin' · Post by **gonehuntin'** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 1:51 pm

Gauge Mate Gold Adapters work Great IF you use premium shells with them. By using either AA'S of Rem. STS they will not stick in the adapters and you can pull them out as fast as if using regular ejectors. Same with any PREMIUM hunting load. But if you're going to shoot the cheapie Rem. or Win. loads for $3.50 or so a box, they'll stick and you'll have to take the tube out to get the case out. I love mine. Patterns are superb and velocity increases from 1200 to nearly 1500fps. They're worth every cent!