quattro

In the UK the minimum barrel length for a shotgun is 24 inches, however in open division IPSC rules allow any length of gun so magazine tubes are usually up to 14 + 1 and in modified division an overall length of 1320 mm also allows a mag tube that can take 14 + 1 65 mm cartridges. So comes the choice of choke and barrel length, I can't usually be bothered to change the choke so usually use modified about (1/2) or sometimes use improved modified (3/4), but find the modified choke is better for buck shot. I usually shoot a 30 inch barrel but have also used 28 inch either way it’s significantly shorter than the mag tube. I don’t bother with a compensator as I can’t see they are that effective and only ensure that smoke is directed in your field of vision. I prefer an 11-87 with wooden furniture and yes it is heavy on a 28 plate 100 yard dash through the woods but long barrels mean that you don’t need to run and can pick three or four shooting positions to take the plates, I always take the long shot rather than all that running and stuff (I cant run faster than 1400 fps so don't see the point in it). As for reliability the bits that break are well known so change them every few thousand rounds and it won’t let you down in a match. When asked for advice before a stage, I usually give the usual answer "shoot fast don't miss", but then clarify this as there is a very important lesson, for a 28 plate field stage, you don't want to waste time loading extra round. so you should only load 28 that extra round just in case has probably wasted between 1 and 2 seconds (this is for just in case Mr Sullivan), it may only be a couple of seconds wasted but if you shoot cleanly you wont need it and you will be more likely to take the stage. Oh and in the UK no rifled barrels or rifled chokes, so all slug is shot through a smooth bore, I prefer full or 3/4 choke. In many cases there is a lack of understanding of how the gun works and the gun / ammo capabilities, it is quite common to deliberately take two plates with one shot, is because the gun and ammo are capable of it in rare circumstances the observant shooter may even be able to take three plates (top wood shield 2001). Remmington only need to make a few bits stronger and there fine.

Only at Harlow, and when starting with a loaded gun, you can hold 4 or 5 cartridges in your hand for loading but it's still fiddly to load, but handles very quickly. mine has a 26" barrel but they do come in 28" as well. long range it isn't quite as good as a 12.

Any thaughts on which is quicker, shoot to the fitted bead sight or change to optical sights. I have used a 20 year old rem 1100 with brass bead sight to win slug matches and practical shotgun matches in the UK, where very few shooters bother with optical sights because it slows you down, i.e. if you wait for a sight picture you've taken too long in target engagement, use the force and blag it. It remains to be seen what shooters will be using in open division at the European Practical shotgun Championships in Italy in August. Does any one have any views on this.

The Rem LT 20 is a bit fiddly to load fast but it is easy to shoot at 7+ rounds a second and with the 65 mm 28 gm cartridges and an Uncle Ade 14+1 mag tube it's quite formidable. Oh and don't bother with optical sights it only slows you down, try aiming (a revolutionary new concept).