Handicap target shells?

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grimblyd

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So on a recent sale at Cabela's for target loads I bought 5 cases of target shells.
One of them turned out to be 'handicap' shells.
Knowing Cabelas policy on returning shells, I didn't even bother contacting them

I thought the handicap shells were... handicapped. As in tougher to hit the clay pigeon for whatever reason they have modified them

However an old timer at the range told me they are actually 'stronger' than normal target shells, as they are meant to shoot birds that are farther away...

I tried googling it, but didn't come up with much useful info. (poor googling skills I guess).

So. Can someone enlighten me on 'Handicap' target loads?

Thanks in advance!
 
Handicap loads were designed for shooting ATA Handicap Trap which originally was shot from the 27yrd line behind the trap, average shots were from 40-50yrds. They are usually set as close to the ATA maximum velocity for the payload size(1290fps in 1 1/8oz or 1325fps in 1oz or 1350fps in 7/8oz). I never use them, I've seen no need to beat myself up with heavy loads. Even when we shoot Skrap(which starts at 27yrds behind and moves back from there) I break targets fine with a 1oz #8 at 1200fps loads. I would save them for a Handicap Trap event or long shots on a sporting clays course for extra insurance.
 
Thats it thats all......handicap loads are as stated designed for shooting handicap. Maximum allowable payload with maximum velocity as a general rule. If they are Challengers prepare to be hurting afterward as they have an awful recoil. No, nothing like a heavy field load but sharp for a target load.
If I buy them it's usually a case or two of 7.5's for shooting crows.
 
They won't be terrible, but they aren't that desired to be had. The sale you referenced was for ONLY the handicapped or high velocity rounds. I went in looking to buy a bunch as well. I left without buying anything.

For normal clay shooting, people tend to do better with lighter, softer recoiling loads. This isn't necessarily from shoulder pain, but because it greatly improves swing, follow through, and target sighting. It also reduces or eliminates flinch and other bad things that happen when shooting heavier loads.
 
Here is my 5 cents ...
Regular target loads (2 3/4 dram 1145 fps) are for 16 yard trap, skeet and most sporting targets
Handicap target loads (3 dram 1200 fps) are for mid yardage (20 to 23 yards) trap and some sporting targets
Super handicap target loads (3 1/4 dram 1250 fps) are for long yardage (24 to 27 yards) trap and some sporting targets

I find that if I go one choke tighter and use the different loads as I have described them above, that I do not have to shoot the targets differently, I just shoot them all the same way.

I find that many new shooters and some folks that only shoot 16 yard targets like the handicap loads as there is less lead required. YMMV
 
I really enjoy shooting handicap, and I don't feel any noticeable increased recoil out of a SBE2. And they also completely vaporize the clay target.
 
Generally, the faster the shell the worst the pattern. Slower shells will usually out pattern fast shells. It has to do with pellet deformation. Also, supersonic pellets loose velocity at twice the rate of subsonic so at 40 plus yards there is virtually no difference in pellet energy but a lot on the shoulder!
 
ShawnC6 said:
I've never found them to be too bad....
Click to expand...

And so you shouldn't. Recoil impulse (which some experts claim is what you feel) is proportional to shot velocity. So if you go from 1200 to 1250 fps with the same shot charge the impulse energy only goes up 4.2 % which most people would not detect. Same goes for recoil velocity; ie how fast the gun is pushed back to your shoulder, also is proportional to shot velocity and in the example also goes up 4.2%. Recoil energy is proportional to velocity squared so from 1200 to 1250 goes up about 8%, perhaps noticeable but not a drastic change.

When we have group rentals at our range, I have often switched loads for the shooters from 1oz 1145fps to 1-1/8oz 1200 fps which is about a 12% change in recoil impulse and later asked anyone if they noticed a difference. Have yet to have someone say there was a noticeable difference.
 
Recoil is a result of how heavy the ejecta(shot charge) is X how fast it's going(FPS) divided by the weight of the resistance(gun weight). Here's link to the chart, in case your are interested.

w ww.chuckhawks.com/shotgun_recoil_table.htm

What the chart won't tell is the cumulative effect of recoil, shoot 200 of each in succession and you feel the difference, so will your scores.
 
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