Old shotgun Ammo

[gastch]

I've been given some older ammo from an old family friend and outtfitter that past away some years ago. This stuff is mint condition and good to use. There is someloads I've never seen before like #9 for skeet and one that #7.5Scatter load. What this for? A couple boxs of the shells are paper but most say "New Plastic" on them. Although I'd like to keep this ammo around as it has alot of sentimental value, I plan on enjoying shooting some of this stuff in the next few weeks with some friends shooting clays. To bad lead was allowed for waterfowl cause the #2 and # 4 magnum loads would be deadly. I think I'll save them for some pheasants and grouse on windy days.

Chris
Fredericton
New Brunswick

 

[beretta boy]

Lead 9's are the traditional load for Skeet ( Clay Targets ) the formalized shotgun game that is shot at relatively short range ( 21 yard target crossing point )with relatively open choke(s) ... as opposed to Trap, a game shot with tighter chokes where targets are routinely broken at anywheres from about 32-34 yards (at the 16 yard line) to 43-45 yards, or further, (when shot from the 27 yard handicap line) . The game of Skeet was originally conceptualized by a small group of New Englanders as a means of practice to hone their grouse & woodcock hunting skills. It's been around since the mid-30's, whereas Trap was pretty much established before the turn of the 20th century.

"Spreader loads" are designed to "open-up" the pattern of a shotgun ... that is to say, to basically circumvent the purpose of choke ... allowing say a full -choked gun to shoot bigger patterns - making it more suitable for close range work. Scatter loads do work, but often the more open patterns they produce tend to be a little sketchy in places. Most pattern loads feature some kind of a divided or segmented wad/shot cup with some even using "square" shot.

Paper loads were pretty much standard until the early 60's.

Hefty loads of 2's worked very well for me on geese, and I favoured 4's for late season & diver shoots.

 

[dilly]

I have heard that some old ammo can have very corrosive primers but I can't say which exactly. I would clean your barrel when you are done each time you shoot them off just to be safe. I love paper shells....smell so good

 

[BigUglyMan]

3" loads of #2 are deadly if you happen into a skunk shoot. But I miss the old days when you could shoot honkers with them.

 

[Levi Garrett]

The old paper shells were cool , till they swelled up , and had to come at the spent hulls from the muzzle end to get 'em out with an piece or alder