Shot Size vs Application?

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TheWulf

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Hi all,

Tried searching for this but didn't find too much.

I just bought my first shotgun -- Maverick 88 Security -- and I was wondering what shot types were used were what application. The most common ones I see here are 7.5 or 8.

I'm mainly interested in learning skeet and small game hunting (partridge, etc).

Any thoughts?

Thanks!
 
TheWulf said:
The most common ones I see here are 7.5 or 8.
I'm mainly interested in learning skeet
Click to expand...

Well I'm not the shotgun hunting buff, but I can chime in on the skeet question. Most ranges don't allow anything larger than 7.5 shot. 7.5, 8, and even 9 are common trap/skeet/clays shot. I myself prefer the #8 or #9 but each to their own. So yeah, that's probably why you see lots of that shot size around at the store!
 
For Grouse i would suggest #6 lead shot or 7 1/2 depending on the range you expect to shoot. If other game is on the menu you may want to compromise, ie: ducks(jump shooting) while also hunting partridge....#6 Bismuth or 4 or 5 steel(nontoxic).
 
I use #2 Federal in 3" 1-1/8 oz steel shot for duck, #7 in both 2-3/4 or 3" - 1 oz. for grouse and upland game, BB for geese.
 
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RyanGSP said it all, but just to emphasize one point that you might not know if you haven't taken your hunting course and got your licence yet; steel shot or other non-toxic shot is required by law for waterfowl.

No lead shot is permitted for waterfowl hunting.
 
A Maverick 88 Security ain't exactly a "fowlin' piece" with a short, open cylinder barrel. The warning is valid though - many Ontario hunters are fined every year for even having a single shell with toxic shot in their possession when waterfowl hunting.

I think you've got some good advice. Most skeet shooters I know shoot #8 or #9. You can have some fun with it for sure but dedicated skeet gun it is not. Its a bit on the light side at 7.8 lbs but that's not going to be too hard on you for casual shooting.

#6 does the job for most upland birds and critters. You can use smaller shot on the more fragile birds that flush at close ranges like Woodcock. I use #5's for wild turkey but again that is no turkey gun (full choke, or more).

I'm not a huge fan of Chuck Hawks (I think he copies a lot from other sources), but he has some guidelines HERE that are a good starting point. Opinion always varies - there are many different hunting situations that present themselves, so don't be afraid to adapt.
 
Thanks for all the tips guys!

I know this is far from a dedicated-anything gun, but what would you guys recommend something like this for? I bought it mostly as something that looks fun to shoot to do a little bit of everything; mostly just to have fun.;
 
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