Recommended shot weight for clays?

CanuckShooter

CanuckShooter

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I bought a box of the 100 pack winchester, and 100 pack federal ammo (both 2.75" 7.5). Both say they can be used for clay, but the winchester stuff has less than 1 oz of shot, and the federal has over 1 oz....

Which would be best for just FUN clay shooting, or is the difference negligible?

BTW it's being shot through a late 70's 870 Wingmaster with a 30" barrel.

Thanks!!
 
For " fun ", the 7/8 oz. ( 24gram) loads work just fine for informal clay shooting. Although loaded a little hotter, the 24 gram loads are what is mandated for International & Olympic Trap & Skeet. Most shooters find 1 oz. loads to be entirely adequate for most clay target sports, and the 28 gram load is that mandaded for F.I.T.A.S.C. Sporting Clay Shoots. 1-1/8 oz loads (32gram) are the maximum shot charge allowed for Trap & Skeet.
 
I shoot 1 ounce #8 at the majority of targets. Possible exceptions might be edge on targets beyond 40 yards, rabbits and handicap trap where I prefer 1-1/8 ounce of #7-1/2.
 
I have no use for clay target loads which contain more than one ounce of shot. International trap presents some of the furthest, hardest targets of any of the clay sports and is shot with 7/8 oz. (24 gram) loads. Targets are regularly broken out past the 50 meter mark with these loads. Extra weight of shot equals extra recoil, not helpful when shooting hundreds of rounds. If you are going to miss with a 1 oz. load, an extra 1/8th of an ounce will not help you. The exception is going after long distance targets with an open choke, where the extra pattern density afforded by more shot will be of use.

Sharptail
 
Sharptail said:
International trap presents some of the furthest, hardest targets of any of the clay sports and is shot with 7/8 oz. (24 gram) loads. Targets are regularly broken out past the 50 meter mark with these loads.
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Very true but International loads generally use better shot and at 1400 fps go a lot faster than most loads you're going to find at your local gun shop. What you lose in pellets you get back in shot speed. If I had to pick one load to go through the rest of my clay and small bird upland shooting it would be #7-1/2 Federal Gold Medal International.

I don't do a lot of choke changing so might reach for a 1-1/8 ounce load of #7.5 for a distant edge on target. I'm almost as happy with a 1 ounce load and a little more velocity but the pellet count between between 1-1/8 ounce, #7-1/2 and 1 ounce of #8 is very close and choosing the heavier load means no errant thought about pellet count to get in the way of my shooting. I have enough errant thoughts to chase away as it is.;)

My typical shell load for a sporting clays round 3 boxes of 1 ounce #8, 1 box of 1 ounce high velocity #7-1/2 and 1 box of 1-1/8 ounce 7-1/2.
 
Claybuster, as usual you have good taste in shells - the Federal GMI shells are my favourite. The last time I chrono'ed them through my 30 inch barrels they were going 1325 fps though, not 1400. Recoil is very mild with these loads.

You are also spot on with your observation that the international shells use better shot. This is the key to all top flight loads - hard, round shot equals better patterns.

While I regularly use 1 1/8 oz. loads while hunting (12 gauge) it has been a long time since I used that much lead on a clay target.

A fellow showed up at our range a few weeks ago and when he started shooting the 3 foot flames and cannon - like report instantly brought the attention of the range manager. After inspecting the loads, it turned out that they were factory Federal shells using 1 1/8 oz. of lead shot, at an advertised speed of 1500 fps. Perfectly legal according to club rules, but annoying as hell - they were really loud. I have never seen lead shot factory loads claim that much velocity, but I believe they must be close to that just from the noise alone. He claimed he bought them at Wholesale Sports. Maybe I should get some, just to throw everyone off their game at the sporting clays course.

Sharptail
 
I confess to having never chronyed the Federal GMI largely because they aren't that available. I did however do some testing on Challenger 24 gram loads advertised at 1,400 fps and it came in around 1390. Excellent loads althought the lead wasn't as good as in the Federal.

The Federal the guy at your club was using was probably their copper plated Wingshot High Velocity and Federal claims 1,500 fps. I used a similar Federal load on Annie Oakley's and buddy shoots. Very loud, hard kicking but I made some very long shots with it. I wouldn't want to shoot an entire round with it but for long distance shooting well beyond the back porch it did very well.:D
 
"X 2 +++" for the Federal GMI paper 24 gram ... copper 7-1/2's.
Can't think of a cartridge I like more.

Used a flat of them (all you are allowed to bring with you) on a Dove & Quail Shoot. "Wicked Good" as they say on the coast.

On a day to day Club basis, it's 1oz. reloads at =/- 1250 fps, and for shoots where you pay to enter, I like Kent's "Blue Diamond" 1 Oz. loads.
 
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Lol I had a similar "noise" experience, didnt pay attention and got Federal sheels with 3.5 drams instead of the usual 3. My old Semi is lous to begin with but my god this was just nasty!.
 
I bought a flat of 1 1/8, #7 1/2 winchester when I got in to trap this spring.

I can handle the recoil, but it is tiring.

I've blown up clays when I thought I waited WAY to long to pull the trigger. With a full choke the shatter range is amazing.

I've since changed to a modified choke and there is still no need to hurry on the scary clays (i.e. straightaways :rolleyes: :( )
 
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