Light loads for skeet/trap

G

Guatz

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Looking for some advice regarding shotgunning loads. Im currently shooting 1oz and 1 1/8 oz #7 and #8 for trap and skeet (predominantly skeet) but am curious about experimenting with light loads such as 7/8 oz or even 3/4 oz #9. I was thinking these lighter loads would be ideal for skeet as targets are generally close. At the very least using these lighter loads for doubles to minimize muzzle jump.

Has anyone played with 3/4 oz for clay games? Will there be a potentially smaller margin to bust clay with these lighter loads (i.e. have to be more accurate with the pattern density to break)?


Cheers,

Guatz
 
3/4oz in a 28 gauge can be extremely effective on skeet, so no reason it shouldnt be in a 12 gauge. Go pattern a couple light loads and that will tell you.
 
If it's for 12g, and 7/8oz is what you have your heart set on, then I'd suggest Alliant Extra Lite.
As far as accuracy and such. Forget about it. If you're on target in skeet, then shot weight won't matter.
The only reason you need to drop to 7/8 oz for 12g, is because of recoil sensitivity.
 
I shoot almost exclusively 3/4 to 7/8. 1oz max.

I generally do 7/8oz #8 for most shooting.

3/4 #9's for skeet

1oz #7.5 for longer shots or trap with tight chokes.

Generally 1oz for competitions where i'll see a mix of presentations.

Fill your boots. It won't make a difference, but you'll shoot all day and find your scores going up because it doesn't effect your swing and mental game.

Extra light Challenger are a wonderful round that's cost effective, some AA's and Kent loads are all 1oz and under and perform very well.

Buy AA's in the fall (sometimes in the spring as well) when they go 2$ off per box. Pay attention to max number of flats allowed though.
 
Unless I'm mistaken, international / Olympic trap and skeet are restricted to 24 gram loads - slightly less than 7/8 oz. Those competitors have no problems breaking the faster clays in their respective disciplines.
The international shells are a little hard to find but can be had - Winchester has them in AA's as well as the Super Targets.

In 20 gauge, all I've ever used are 7/8 oz target loads - never seen anything else - no problems breaking clays in trap, skeet or sporting with them but just as you mentioned a little more accuracy is needed.
 
My go to reload is a 1oz load at 1200fps, I use it for everything trap, skeet, 5-stand, skrap. #9 for skeet & #8 for everything else. The only time I use 1 1/8oz loads is Rabbit targets over 25yrds out. As mentioned, 7/8 oz or 3/4 oz loads of #9 are standard 20ga & 28ga loads for skeet, both will effectively break skeet targets.
 
Shibby! said:
Extra light Challenger are a wonderful round that's cost effective,
Click to expand...

I use the Extra Light Challenger for Cowboy action Shooting and for farm duty. Obviously lighter, 3/4 oz vs 1 1/8, but still @ 1200 fps. They seem to pattern well, kills past 30 yds on blackbirds.

Cabelas has discontinued these, too many complaints from shooters, this loading doesn't seem to cycle semi-auto shotguns. They shuck-shuck just fine in my 870, and in my '97's, Winchester and clone.
 
Shibby! said:
I shoot almost exclusively 3/4 to 7/8. 1oz max.

I generally do 7/8oz #8 for most shooting.

3/4 #9's for skeet

1oz #7.5 for longer shots or trap with tight chokes.

Generally 1oz for competitions where i'll see a mix of presentations.

Fill your boots. It won't make a difference, but you'll shoot all day and find your scores going up because it doesn't effect your swing and mental game.

Extra light Challenger are a wonderful round that's cost effective, some AA's and Kent loads are all 1oz and under and perform very well.

Buy AA's in the fall (sometimes in the spring as well) when they go 2$ off per box. Pay attention to max number of flats allowed though.
Click to expand...


Awesome to know. It’s the 3/4 #9 challengers I’m curious about. I’ve been shooting 1 1/8 for skeet and the muzzle jump is noticeable. Will definitely be trying some 7/8 and if I can still get my hands on them those light challengers.

Where are you buying your shells? Unfortunately I’m limited to Cabela’s for. I’ll as the LGS drives a hard bargain—90$ for a flat of Winchester Supertargrts.
 
Rob! said:
Google Winchester AA rebate. (I don't want to get in trouble for hotlinking again.)

The rebate is in US dollars too.
Click to expand...

Cabela’s seems to be advertising the rebate but it’s still 12.99 per box...with 2$ per box rebate that is still over 100$ for a flat...am I missing something? That seems to be quite expensive still.
 
I am shooting 1 ounce loads for trap and sporting clays these days, usual the Kent Velocity loads. I actually passed up six flats of AA Supersport loads at a swap meet a week ago for $60 per flat, because they were 1-1/8 loads. I may buy them after all at the fall swap meet, if he still has them.
 
Guatz said:
Cabela’s seems to be advertising the rebate but it’s still 12.99 per box...with 2$ per box rebate that is still over 100$ for a flat...am I missing something? That seems to be quite expensive still.
Click to expand...

I just paid $110 a flat at our club. The rebate is $2 US, so more like $2.60 Cdn. That brings my cost down to about $8.50 a box - and no, that is not expensive at all. Winchester AA are premium high antimony loads considered by many to be the best available. You simply can't compare them with cheap practice loads. Even at Cabela's price (where you don't have to buy bulk) they are still a good deal. Since I can only get rebate on 50 boxes a year, I use Top Guns for practice, but would gladly buy more rebated AA if I could.

Rob!
 
Rob! said:
I just paid $110 a flat at our club. The rebate is $2 US, so more like $2.60 Cdn. That brings my cost down to about $8.50 a box - and no, that is not expensive at all. Winchester AA are premium high antimony loads considered by many to be the best available. You simply can't compare them with cheap practice loads. Even at Cabela's price (where you don't have to buy bulk) they are still a good deal. Since I can only get rebate on 50 boxes a year, I use Top Guns for practice, but would gladly buy more rebated AA if I could.

Rob!
Click to expand...

Do you notice a difference in your scores between Top Guns and AA’s ?
 
I have a friend who is very recoil sensitive and he’s started shooting Winchester AA 1oz @1180 fps out of his 11-87 for skeet and is very happy with the low recoil and performance of the shells. In his 3200 Skeet he drops down to a 3/4 oz reload at 1150 fps. His scores have dramatically improved going up and being consistent. He has never mentioned anything involving the term accuracy unless he’s talking rifle shooting.
 
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