I've known a few people that have switched to an auto due to recoil but several more that have switched due to preference. This is over a multi-year period. I'm not aware of one person in either group that has gone down in scores. I know of a few whose scores have gone up substantially. My non-scientific observation is that making the switch from an O/U to an auto does not have a detrimental affect on most shooters (except in the cool factor, because you can't swipe the shells in the trash as you open the gun). It makes me question the sanity of any of us who stubbornly stick with our high dollar O/U's.

 

Autos are a pain at "Pick Up Your Empties!" clubs.

 

I do reloading, have a A400, use this. Also good for rooting through the empty's barrel:

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-gear-gun-supplies/reloading-equipment-supplies/reloading-accessories/sme-magnet-shell-pickup-pole/p/1681533

 

For me, it was near zero, but I set up my autoloaders to have the same dimensions and fit me very close to how my O/Us do.

 

You will be surprised how little difference it will make in your score, the transition for me was easy. I only made the switch for 12 ga. competition and have no trouble switching back to an over-under for sub gauge events.

 

The only downside is more action cleaning and picking up hulls. Buy one of those magnetic sticks for the latter. I own and shoot both with no difference in score. The old Indian vs the arrow thing.

 

TBH I go back and forth….at 77 there are times when a semi auto is desirable. But I have both guns set up with identical stock dimensions relative to gun and myself. Cole A400 am
md Zoli Z Sporting Gold fyi

 

Switch to a gas operated semi-auto and shoot it wet with BreakFreeCLP.

 

Doesn't make any difference in my scores switching back & forth now. I have them set up as close as possible.
After a long day off shooting I definitely feel less fatigued with the SA.

 

As others have stated, as long as the gun fits to your liking you shouldn’t see any negative impact on your scores. If you do it’s likely mental. I have never missed a target that I couldn’t tell you why I missed it. Not a brag about the the ones I do hit, because I miss plenty of them lol. I just know that if I put the shot where it needs to be it gets the job done, regardless of what kind of action it has.

 

I picked up targets going from a 687EELL Sporting to a A400 Parallel Target.

 

When I moved to a semi, no real drop in scores, and an increase in them after 500-1,000 shells, which was about the amount of time it took me to stop noticing the clicking, clacking and pinging sounds.

The only reason I went back to an O/U was reliability.

 

My scores went up not down. Have not looked back, except to pick up my empties 😉

 

I shoot my A400 Xcel as well as a custom built O/U. The only reason I am shooting an O/U again is because I like nice guns. I had to stop shooting 12 gauge for several years due to shoulder issues so I did not just switch from one type of gun to the other. If I was smart I would just shoot my Xcel. Which I might.

 

I had to make the switch from o/u's to semiauto's in 2021 due to problems caused by recoil after some health problems. My scores for that whole year were down with o/u's before the switch and semiautos after the switch, due to the health issues. My problems were bad enough I went to a gas operated 20 ga. By 2022 my scores were as good with the 20 ga as they had been with the o/u 12 ga. I have since started shooting a 12 ga semiauto because shells were more readily available, and I have shot some of my best scores ever.

 

Moved to a rafaello recently, within 500 cartridges I'd shot my first 100 straight skeet.

Honestly feels like shooting my side by side without the recoil or difficult to precisely place sight picture.

 

I switched from a custom stocked O/U to a 391 when I had shoulder replacement, and my scores went up and stayed up. And I got good at cleaning semis. I just can't not shoot my O/U's every now and then so they don't get lonely. It's really no big deal to make the switch.

 

Assuming the semi fits properly to begin with -- which is not necessarily a good assumption -- then it'll take maybe a flat to get re-used to it, and most of that is the difference in cycling between shots, a little is the barrel profile in your periphery. After that, nada.

 

.

 

No learning curve, if the semi auto fits you decently, pull the trigger and start breaking clays !

 

Just put a shell catcher on it, no need to pick up shells...

 

That only works for shooting singles.

 

Went to an A400 Xcel Sporting and loved it after shoulder surgery, I'm 71, that will never be better than 80/85 range of motion, especially going from down low to way high up birds on the second targets of report and true pairs.

Sold the CG Invictus III LTD that took me from C Class to A and then back down to B, great gun. Bought an A400 Cole Pro Laminate, and sending the trigger on the A400 Sporting back to Coles for trigger work, so now I travel with two almost identical guns. If a part or other issue arises, I don't go to the tool box, just grab the backup and carry on. Cleaning is maybe 15/20mins with the right brushes and a cordless drill and most gunsmiths (I use All In Gunsmithing out of SC) can do the equivalent or a "pit stop" at most of the larger shoots for about the same cost as shipping back to have service done.

Added an adjustable comb to the Cole Pro and it fits me based on my coach and gunsmith settings, added some Briley forearm weights and would've done the same to the backup but the Kick Off is the new on that is just behind the grip and the adjustable comb won't, but I can get a new stock or a laminate stock & forearm later this year or the end of the season.

Looking forward to 2025, 2024 wasn't kind to me (with both A400 & CG), but I'm committed to shoot this year with the A400s. They both shoot better than me!

PS - - - I'm shooting 1oz from 1160 B&Ps & 1oz Gambore/Fiocchi/Bornaghi @ 1250fps, recoil is going great. Now I can figure out a way to not piss off FITASC refs as the hulls fly here and there

 

…Now I can figure out a way to not piss off FITASC refs as the hulls fly here and there

I start off by asking if they want me to pick up my empties after the peg or after the entire parcours? More often than not they reply don’t worry about them, I’ll get them. 👍

And if not I’ll pick them up as they wish.

 

I recently got a Browning BPS in 20 gauge, just to try something new and novel on the sporting clays course. I hit the targets just as well as I do with my O/U's. I was a little concerned about true pairs and having to work the slide, but I still got them no problem...didn't miss any!

As is oft said, it's the Indian and not the arrow.

PS: I highly recommend trying sporting clays with a pump, it's a real hoot!

 

Buy a magnetic pick up stick

 

I have a folding magnetic pick up stick made by Mojo outdoors. Fits in my bag and I can pick up to 7 or 8 at a time . Takes 5 minutes to do the entire course, and get any that have dropped. My buddies who reload borrow it all the time to pick up their dropped shells. Really saves your back.

 

An O/U can shoot very light shells that a semiautomatic might not cycle.

 

Hi Sera - my very well used A400 xcel cycles Bornaghi Star 12 ga. 24 gram loads - 1200 fps. Softest load I could find for practice. I bought one flat to try and then ordered 10 more.