What lead shot # are you using?
- Thread starter Shagg
- Start date
I am going to shoot skeet tomorrow. I am going to load 7/8 oz. 7 1/2. If this load is good enough to break international trap targets, it will work fine on those fluffy crossers.
Anyway, I will not blame any misses on the load. I think smaller shot on skeet is about the same thinking that had skeet shooters selecting 26 inch doubles back in the dark ages.
Anyway, I will not blame any misses on the load. I think smaller shot on skeet is about the same thinking that had skeet shooters selecting 26 inch doubles back in the dark ages.
Just for the heck of it I'm going to pattern some 7/8 oz loads of 7 1/2 at 23 yards using skeet chokes just to see what the patterns look like. You're probably right that size of shot doesn't matter all that much. I know I picked up the bias of using #9 without much thought.
If you're on... you're on..... you could load tiny rocks instead of lead and still break the target.
Over time, there is a slight advantage to using #9 shot in skeet. With the extra pellet count, you will pick up an extra chipped target here and there. I would guess the same can be said for using #7.5 (vs #9) for trap.
Brad.
M12shooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- East St. Paul, mb
The main benifit of shooting 7/8 oz. loads is that a bag of shot can really be stretched if your a hand loader. At 40 bucks/bag thats huge.
Got to admit that I have never patterned 7/8 7 1/2 at 23 yards but they sure seem to wreck those close targets, and really shine on most sporting targets. I am into 7/8 because they are cheaper with less recoil and I like 7 1/2 shot because 7 1/2 seems to break em out to the longest distance. I just think that 7 1/2 is better all round than 8 1/2. I might re think this if I were to only shoot skeet and 16 yard trap in warm conditions.
x1 Good point about the cost. I moved to 7/8 oz in skeet and 1 oz in 16 yard trap partly because of cost and because it didn't seem to make much difference to my scores either. I'm looking to buy a bunch of shot right now and the decision as to which size of shot to buy has taken on a bit of added significance with the way the prices are. Can't afford to have things sitting on the shelf not being used.
Fred,
I would not sweat it. With any of the target sizes, they would not go bad sitting around on my shelf. I have never seen much use for 8 1/2 or 9s, so for an all rounder I would make my choice between 7 1/2 and 8s. My preference would be for the 7 1/2 shot for reason previously stated, but if I could only find 8s I would go home with as much as I could afford. That brings me to my main point. If you actually buy target shot that you do not like, all is not lost for I will gladly buy all you want to get rid of at $1.00/pound for previously owned shot.
I would not sweat it. With any of the target sizes, they would not go bad sitting around on my shelf. I have never seen much use for 8 1/2 or 9s, so for an all rounder I would make my choice between 7 1/2 and 8s. My preference would be for the 7 1/2 shot for reason previously stated, but if I could only find 8s I would go home with as much as I could afford. That brings me to my main point. If you actually buy target shot that you do not like, all is not lost for I will gladly buy all you want to get rid of at $1.00/pound for previously owned shot.
Fred,
Just got back from a couple rounds of skeet. A friend brought his wife who never shot before. She only shot station 7 low and 1 high. She wasn't abe to connect with her cut down citori 20 so I let her shoot my 391 with the pink skeet choke. I also gave her some 7/8
7 1/2s. She took them a long way out but managed 4 and five straight good hits on 3 different times.
Just got back from a couple rounds of skeet. A friend brought his wife who never shot before. She only shot station 7 low and 1 high. She wasn't abe to connect with her cut down citori 20 so I let her shoot my 391 with the pink skeet choke. I also gave her some 7/8
7 1/2s. She took them a long way out but managed 4 and five straight good hits on 3 different times.
In 12 gauge I've been shooting #8 in 7/8 ounce at 1,300 fps for a couple years on targets under 40 yards going to 1 ounce 7-1/2 at the same velocity for longer targets.
In 28 gauge I shoot 3/4 ounce #8 although have acquired a few bags of #8.5 which I intend to try this summer.
In 28 gauge I shoot 3/4 ounce #8 although have acquired a few bags of #8.5 which I intend to try this summer.
Fred,
That brings me to my main point. If you actually buy target shot that you do not like, all is not lost for I will gladly buy all you want to get rid of at $1.00/pound for previously owned shot.
Every once in awhile I run into an example that demonstrates so profoundly the nobility of man I am struck dumb and my Adams apple lodges in my throat. Your offer, CR, is an example of a thing that affects me that way. Imagine being willing to pay a whole dollar a pound for the shot when I'm paying $1.40 or $1.50 on a good day. What can I say!!! I'm overwhelmed. The problem, of course, is going to be finding the shot for $1.00 per lb before we cement the deal
. Who pays the shipping, by the way?I experimented with and then started to load 12 gauge 7/8 regularly, based on your posted praise for the load several years ago. Best loading tip that I ever got.
Thanks. Your suggestion of American Select and Winchester components was a good one.If you really made a big mistake and bought a very large quantity I would arrange to have it picked up or would pick it up myself if I decide to go to the Kamloops shoot. Anyways, I don't think you would let any of your shot be wasted and a bad day shooting even with less than perfect shot is better than a good day at work.
You're very welcome. Always happy to help.I experimented with and then started to load 12 gauge 7/8 regularly, based on your posted praise for the load several years ago. Best loading tip that I ever got.
For 16 Y trap I use Winchester Supertarget TRGT127 (or TRGT128) which I buy by the flat for $55...so thats 1 1/8 oz of 7 1/2 (or 8) shot at 1145 fps - work fine
For HCP trap I am 26 1/2 yards so I use Winchester AA Superhandicap 1 1/8 oz 7 1/2 shot at 1250 fps - also work fine - usually about $72-75 flat
For HCP trap I am 26 1/2 yards so I use Winchester AA Superhandicap 1 1/8 oz 7 1/2 shot at 1250 fps - also work fine - usually about $72-75 flat
I also like the 1 oz. loads, and prefer #8 shot.
I haven't run across any factory 7/8 load for a while, and would shoot it any chance I had. I bought a few flats of 1300 fps 1 oz. loads from Kent a couple of years ago, and really liked it. Most of the Winchester and Federal ammo I have bought recently is 2 3/4 dram 1 1/8 oz. between 1145 and 1200 fps. i have no problem powdering clays at 16 yds. with any of the light loads.
I haven't run across any factory 7/8 load for a while, and would shoot it any chance I had. I bought a few flats of 1300 fps 1 oz. loads from Kent a couple of years ago, and really liked it. Most of the Winchester and Federal ammo I have bought recently is 2 3/4 dram 1 1/8 oz. between 1145 and 1200 fps. i have no problem powdering clays at 16 yds. with any of the light loads.
Being from the "old school" we always used #9 for Skeet and #7 1/2 for Trap (1 1/8 oz loads; 2 3/4" shell, 2 3/4 DRAM). However, for the past few years I've been using #8's for Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays and as long as you use the correct chokes and pattern your gun to know where it's shooting for you, it'll do the job just as good and prevent you from having to buy and store all kinds of different shells. Personally, I use all Federal Top Gun 12 gauge shells and haven't had any problems with them.
