[Solved: Post #7] Birdshot for IPSC Shotgun

brunobell

brunobell

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Hey guys,

I tried searching and did a bit of googling, but couldn't find a good answer to my question.

What recommended load would you use for IPSC/what do you use? I know #3-9 is allowed, but what works best? (I know that's a very ambiguous/subjective question) I'm leaning toward a #6, would be right in the middle and the choke could tighten it up for farther shots.

I'm using a Benelli Supernova with an IM or maybe even a M choke. Also, is it typical practice to change a choke between stages, if the upcoming stage has only "closer" birdshot targets?

Thanks for your help!

-brunobell
 
Yes, its a good idea to try and match your choke with the target you are going to be shooting at.
Close up clays, with no penalty targets close by, use an open choke (cylinder or improved cylinder) and hose away.
Steel plates a bit further out that seem to be giving people problems, tighter chokes and aim a bit harder.

You have to set your choke/shot combo for the toughest target in the stage.
No use going fast on the majority of the stage with an open choke and light loads just to have to engage one target multiple times and ruin your stage time.

I typically use 7.5's for 95% of the targets. Just regular target loads.
If there is a stubborn plate/popper at distance, I may use a heavy 6 just to make sure it goes down.
 
always test the loads your going to use in a simulated fasion, some guns with rough chambers have a problem with the cheap target loads with the steel bases, my beretta 1201/mossberg 590a1 and rem870 all HATE the cheep steel based target loads so I shoot full brass "field" loads in either #6 or 7.5.

nothing worse then having a gun that will not cycle and having to butt stroke it on the ground to get the slide free....
 
For my first SG match last month, I was recommended to use 4 birdshot for uncooperative steel past 10 yards. I would probably use 7.5 now just to manage the recoil a little better seeing that shooting a pump-action (I shoot an 870 with a fixed imp cyl choke) in a sustained, fast-cycling fashion will take you to the limits. Additionally, as the previous posted mentioned, I had a few hard cycles with the Winchester "short brass" econo loads I used and my time suffered greatly due a couple of difficult extractions.
 
I'll follow up with one other statement.
For competitions, I use the best ammo I can afford that does what i want. (i.e. patterns the way I expect it to)

After spending a crap load of money on gas, and depending on location of event, hotel, food, time away from family/friends, the last thing I need is my equipment to act up and ruin my day.
Practice with the cheap stuff, spend the extra $2 a box and get Win AA,Remington STS, Federal Gold Medal for the competition.
And work out all the bugs in your gear before you get to the event.
Otherwise you are wasting time and money.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I bought a couple boxes of 7.5 Win AA 1-1/8oz loads. But I'll be sure to keep 3 or 4 #4s on my gun's shell holder in case I encounter any of those invincible steel plates.
 
I have never used anything other than 7.5 target load for IPSC and multigun matches, including some major US matches. This is with a Mossberg 590A1 and a Benelli M4, and I've never had a problem with steel falling (targets up to about 30 yards usually). I rarely change from my modifed choke.

I have several friends that will bring #4 or #6 for the occasional stage where there's the option to take steel as far away as 50-60 yards with variable success.

lonedrone
 
What Brand of 7.5 target load do you use in the Benelli M4? I had some cycling problems with Winchester Super-Target so went to heavy game load.
 
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