Target load question?

Jrji

Jrji

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What’s a good load to start with for shooting clays? I just bought a semi auto 12 gauge Benelli Vinci Off a friend and looking for some advice on a good target load for shooting clays. Ive heard to light of a load will keep the shot gun from cycling properly.

Thanks
 
one ounce of 7.5 going 12-1400 ft persecond... or whatever is on sale. I doubt if you can find Winchester white box 7/8 oz 1450 ft per second.. i shot thousands of those while learning. cheapest shells i ever had...
 
Any 2 3/4 dram load should be fine, such as 1 oz @ 1200 fps. Your gun may not like certain brands, Federal have consistently been the best for me. Winchester promo loads and Challenger, not so much.
 
To start shooting clays? The cheapest target load the gun will cycle. No need for anything faster or more expensive until you get good.Winchester Super targets, Challenger or Score target loads. Cabelas have CHallenger target loads on sale right now. Buy about 10 cases. They won't go bad.
 
My Vinci will cycle 1oz target loads with 100% reliability if i keep it clean. It wont cycle 7/8oz loads consistently (maybe only 75% of the time).
 
I like Maionchi. They're available in 1300fps.

Semi-auto doesn't like light loads. Some shotgun you can break them in with heavy loads and they'll cycle lighter loads. My Derya never cycled light loads properly.

However if you are only shooting one shot, it doesn't matter if it cycles or not. There is plenty of time to manually cycle it before it is your turn again.
 
Yeah, those 1oz, 1300fps challenger shells at cabelas are a good deal when they’re on sale for $69.99. I’ve ran lots of them through all my shotguns and they work well. With the price of ammo going up, stock up on these and call it good.
 
most of of my loads are 2 3/4 dram 1 1/8th oz, 1145 fps, use for singles handicap, and the odd annie oakley .
I also have federal paper, score and kent in 1 oz, I quit buying 3 dram years ago.
 
gap599 said:
My Vinci will cycle 1oz target loads with 100% reliability if i keep it clean. It wont cycle 7/8oz loads consistently (maybe only 75% of the time).
Click to expand...

I will second that. The only loads I have had issues with in my Vinci have been Winchester extra light loads 1 oz @ 1145 fps. In winter, I tend to stick to 3 dram loads.
 
If you want to know what the regulations allow:

Any load with a velocity greater than:
  • 1,290FPS with maximum shot charge of 1-1/8 ounces, or
  • 1,325 FPS with a maximum shot charge of 1 ounce, or
  • 1,350 FPS with a maximum shot charge of 7/8 ounces or less, as measured in any individual shotshell.
  • In addition, no load containing more than 1-1/8 ounces or any shot larger than Number 7-1/2 can be used.
  • Shot charges are maximum and no charge may exceed the charge amount by more than 3%.
  • Steel shot in Number 7 will be acceptable as long as velocity criteria are the same as for lead shot shells.
Click to expand...
page 48 of https://www.shootata.com/Portals/0/pdf/ata_rulebook_web.pdf
 
I buy whatever is cheap, which generally means 1 1/8oz #7.5 @1250fps give or take. Currently have a mix of Remington Gun Club and Mirage, I've also shot lots of Federal.
 
Don't have a Benelli Vinci, but I use 2 3/4 dram 1 1/8th oz, 1145 fps #7.5 or #8. They cycled fine in my Browning Maxus, and use them for single, doubles, and handicap trap in my o/u. I usually buy Winchester Super Target, but have used similar Federal. Whatever Sail has at a good price, or Hummason. Challenger never patterned well in my guns.

I've experimented with many of the other light, extra light, and faster loads, but always end up back with the 1145fps Winchesters.
 
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