Please Explain Target Loads.

Max Owner: 1 1/8 will be the amount of shot the shell contains measured in ounces. Usual 1 1/8oz loads either come in low recoiling 2 3/4 dram or harder hitting 3 dram. 7/8 oz loads are next to impossible to find in any sporting good stores, but normally reloaded. You're doing good to find 1oz loads in stores, but are available on occasion in the right shop..
 
Shot 8
Oz 1
Dr. Eq. 2 1/2
Vel. 1150fps

That's what the load details on a box of shells looks like. Less Oz of shot, Dram Equivalent and Velocity makes a 'lighter' load.
 
Kent has a 1 oz. load out now, I believe about 1300 fps. That would be a light load, and is available.
AA Winchester has 1 oz and 1 1/8 oz in 2 3/4 dram eq. also light loads.
 
Max Owner said:
Thanx for setting a dim witted thick skulled nincompoop straight.
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Gee Whiz Max! I think the question is a good one and not all that easy to answer. At the risk of getting myself in trouble I'm going to try and explain a bit more. To me a "light load" could mean a lot of things. It might just mean less shot than in other loads, and I've also heard others say their load is lighter when they are using less powder than in other loads. I think people are generally interested in light loads though, because they are interested in lower recoil and in saving money. So, a light load will involve a small amount of shot driven at a low velocity because this will yield less recoil. (I mean actual physical recoil, not necessarily "felt recoil", which is usually the same, but involves subjective measurement and can be different.) Of course, using less shot and low speeds usually involving the use of less powder, means you are saving money by getting more loads for your buck.
As far as I know, the term Dram Equivalent (DE) refers to black powder days when loads were measured in drams. A 3 dram load had more powder than a 2 3/4 dram load, for example, and drove an equivalent amount of shot faster. OK, so a 3 DE load today means a load equivalent to one using 3 drams of black powder with the weight of shot one is using. (I have no idea why the term has persisted, but DE is still marked on many boxes of shells. Maybe there is some convenience to it.) At any rate, from this perspective, a 2 3/4 DE load, an example of which is 1 1/8 oz of shot driven at 1145 ft/sec, is a lighter load than a 3 DE load, which would be 1 1/8 oz of shot driven at 1200 ft/sec. So it goes. Think I'll post this before I chicken out! Fred
 
budman said:
I think I'm following what you guys are saying,I wondered to.
What does no.4 , 6 and 8 mean on the shell? sorry for the hy jack.:cool:
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That would be the size of the shot 4 being the largest and 8 the smallest.
 
I'm looking at a box of Remington STS

Along the top flap of the box is

12 (gauge) 2-3/4" (length) 2-3/4 Dr.Eq. (relative velocity) 1 oz. ( oz. shot) 8 (shot) and
Velocity 1185 fps.

This is what I consider a light 12 gauge Target load.

A 1 oz. target load at 1290-1300 is a rather heavy load, despite the fact there is only an ounce of shot, as is a 24gram (7/8oz.) International Target load at 1325 fps.
A 1-1/8 oz., 3 dram target load at 1200 fps is considered a heavy load ... and a 1-1/8 oz. load at 1330 or above IS pretty unpleasant to shoot all day ... a very "heavy" load.
A 1-1/4 oz., 4 dram load at 1285 fps is indeed a heavy load, similar to what is used in live bird shoots. Most find it to be uncomfortable to shoot all day, and many Clubs do not permit such on their fields.

The numbers change for each gauge ... a 7/8 oz. , 2-1/2 dram equivalent 20 gauge load - or a 3/4 oz., 2 dram equivalent 28 gauge load for example are both considered standard target loads. Both also produce a muzzle velocities of approximately 1200 fps.

Hope that helps a little.
 
Check out the Wapiti Shooters regulations for trap before you buy I think it's stated in the standing orders. If you have the wrong stuff our favorite "nazi' wont let you shoot.
 
In a Remington 1100, 2-3/4" chambered 20 gauge autoloader, 2-1/2 dram equivalent
(1200 fps) 7/8 ounce target loads (of size 7-1/2, 8 or 9 shot) do not generate much recoil.

Why not check with your local Club before you show up with incorrect ammunition.
 
beretta boy said:
Why not check with your local Club before you show up with incorrect ammunition.
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That's good advice. At most clubs the limits are 2-3/4" shells, 1-1/4 ounce of shot, 3-1/4 dram equivalent and shot size no larger than 7-1/2. As the shot numbers get smaller, the shot size is larger.

These limits are in place to remain within the required shot fall zones for most clubs. In some places there are additional restrictions (e.g. #9 shot only) due to shot fall concerns.

Showing up with shot that is too large, magnum shells, etc. is strongly discouraged for obvious reasons.
 
Remington "Gun Club" and Federal "Top Gun" loads are cheap by the case and should fall within spec for most fields - pretty sure #7.5 3DE 1-1/8os. is the "heavy" load. Best thing is to ask what everyone else at the field is shooting and give them a try in your gun.
 
budman said:
What does no.4 , 6 and 8 mean on the shell?
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4, 6 & 8 on the shell casing refer to shot size. The larger the number, the smaller the shot pellets. IIRC, the size number originally referred to how many pellets of that size are needed to bridge from one side of a 12 gauge barrel to the other. However, this certainly isn't the case anymore, as there are at least 12 different charts for shot size diameter, depending on the country where the chart originates.

Generally, though, these diameters are fairly consistent (tables can be found all over the internet). If you buy commercial shells or reloading supplies from the UK, be advised that their shot sizes are slightly smaller than ours in N.A.
 
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