Thoughts on 7/8 oz. 12 ga. loads for Trap/Sporting Clays

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Sharps '74

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I just got interested in Trap. Been shooting it long enough to know that I don't enjoy 1-1/8 oz. loads in my M12. So I acquired an Ithaca/SKB 500 20 ga. and quite like it. Haven't shot it past 16 yds.

More recently I acquired the 12 ga. version of the Ithaca/SKB but haven't shot it as yet. When I do, I expect to be using 1 oz. loads. Been reading things on the net re: 7/8 oz. loads being less fatiguing and just as effective at 16 yds. I've shot my handloaded 7/8 oz. loads in CAS for years and they have always done the job.

So - who shoots 7/8 oz. loads in Trap and who offers them in case lots?
 
I've got to start by saying that if target loads beat you up, there is a strong chance your guns need fitting to you. It truly does make a difference both to scores and to comfort level shooting. Haven't tried 7/8 for trap but they are certainly all you need for sporting clays. 1200 FPS for consistency. I've used 1 1/8 - 1 - 7/8 and 5/8, all 12g and all around 1200. None are punishing - and none are lacking either at least for SC. YMMV

Rob!
 
7/8oz has been used for international trap, harder targets and faster targets so will work fine for ata trap or any other clay target game .i use to shoot a lot of 500 singles marathon events back in the 80's& 90's loaded 7/8 at 1145 fps 7.5's or8's but preferred the 7.5's 500 rounds is a lot of shooting in a day . Pressure was very low 7500 psi no recoil what so ever , but lifting a model 12 trap gun 500 times is very tiresome
 
I just finished loading a 1000 rounds of 7/8 oz 12 ga for sporting clays . I went with a 1250fps load .I can tell you they work great . If your looking for a factory load . Federal makes a 7/8 oz load in their top gun brand of shells at 1200 fps .
 
I do a yearly turkey shoot and I prefer the 1 1/8 #8 loads. One year I showed up with a case of 7/8 ounce trap loads and I got slaughtered. In an amateur event, some guys shoot high brass 1 1/4 oz of 7.5 and its hard to compete against. I know if you hit it, you hit it but on the amateur side we mostly use hunting guns.
 
Same here, all my target loads are 1oz. The only time I use 1 1/8oz is on rabbit targets and extreme distance sporting clays targets. I have no preference to beat myself up unnecessarily.
 
I use 7/8 oz #8 for skeet and #7.5 for trap and sporting. They work fine. Mine are moving along over enough 700x to always cycle semi auto 1100s
Very low recoil and the targets break just as well.
I load 7/8oz #6 copper plated for turkey and never had an issue
 
Thanks for the input!

My guns fit me rather well. I think the recoil factor is simply ballistic physics at work. More lead = more recoil. When I shoot 450 gr bullets from my 50-70 carbine, the recoil is more noticeable than when shooting 375 gr bullets using the same powder charge.

Read once that " ... only Americans think it necessary to use 1-1/8 oz. of shot to break a clay bird." Said by a Brit instructor to a US Clays shooter.
 
Sharps '74 said:
Thanks for the input!

My guns fit me rather well. I think the recoil factor is simply ballistic physics at work. More lead = more recoil. When I shoot 450 gr bullets from my 50-70 carbine, the recoil is more noticeable than when shooting 375 gr bullets using the same powder charge.

Read once that " ... only Americans think it necessary to use 1-1/8 oz. of shot to break a clay bird." Said by a Brit instructor to a US Clays shooter.
Click to expand...

It is all about what the prize is IMO. For fun who cares but if there is cash on the line why would I not make sure every pellet that is allowed is in the shell
My patterns on paper are way nicer with 1 oz vs 7/8 but that is my gun
Cheers
 
If you intend on shooting 7/8 oz 12 ga loads to save money you'll save nothing if buying factory lads. Only reason why I shoot 7/8 is cost saving as less shot to get the job done. Roll my own 7 1/2 or 8 shot for 16 yard trap and skeet.
 
Yep. I just finished loading up 250 12 ga BP shotshells for CAS this coming season. Very labour intensive operation, considering I'm using a Lee Load-All. No plastic, all fibre and card wads. I used to load smokeless 7/8 oz. for my wife's use in CAS, but she has graduated to factory 1 oz. loads quite well.
Once a year I get the opportunity to take advantage of our club's bulk purchase of shells at a very competitive rate. I recently paid a horrendous price for two 25 lb bags of 7-1/2 shot. When I add up the cost of rolling my own with wads, primers and my time, why would I want to bother?
 
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