What lead shot # are you using?

S

Shagg

New member
Rating - 100%
11   0   0
Location
Kanata
Just curious what shot # everyone is using for skeet and trap? As I am just getting into the sport I have heard a few opinions on what to use and just would like a wider point of view.

I also saw on youtube a guy reloading a mix of 7 1/2 and 8. Do you think that using that mix would have any benifit?
 
1 oz. #8's for 16 yard trap. Mixing shot is just fooling yourself. If one looks at average size of 7 1/2 shot it will already contain a percentage of pellets very close to #8 diameter anyway.
 
Shagg said:
Just curious what shot # everyone is using for skeet and trap? As I am just getting into the sport I have heard a few opinions on what to use and just would like a wider point of view.

I also saw on youtube a guy reloading a mix of 7 1/2 and 8. Do you think that using that mix would have any benifit?
Click to expand...

S

Most any size pellet will easily break any clay target, the only exception might be with International trap targets, they get away in a hurry, most folks chase them with 7 1/2 shot size. FS
 
pattern your gun...

Shagg said:
Just curious what shot # everyone is using for skeet and trap? As I am just getting into the sport I have heard a few opinions on what to use and just would like a wider point of view.

I also saw on youtube a guy reloading a mix of 7 1/2 and 8. Do you think that using that mix would have any benifit?
Click to expand...

spend some time at the patterning board with a couple different shot sizes and the choke you will likely be using.
That is the proof in the pudding when it comes to connecting with them clays.
Smoke 'Em
Rob
 
I think it really does not matter except for handicap trap. As far as mixing goes, I think that down range different shot sizes would be going different speeds and would not arrive at the target at the same time. Longer shot string? Maybe? If I had my way the more uniform the better. For recreational shooting, its no big deal. For competition, test, pattern and test and try til you find what works best.
 
I agree with Covey Ridge 100% do not mix shot sizes it will mess up your shot string
and leave holes in your pattern and that will cause lost targets, try a few different loads and a couple different chokes at a pattern board and then stick to it, just ,practice, practice, practice,
and remember you don’t need to be a pro to have fun and enjoy the sport
 
Lately I've been seriously considering making some changes in the shot sizes I'm using. Right now it's 9 for skeet (7/8oz), 8(1oz) for trap singles, first shot in doubles and close shots in clays and 71/2 (11/8 oz) for handicap, second shot in doubles and long shots in clays, not that chores are letting me out to play much right now:(. I'm thinking that 81/2 for everything I'm using 9 and 8 for might be good and simplify things a bit. Right now my shop looks like an ammo store where you walk down an aisle and select the shot size you want :). Our brothers and sisters down south seem to like 8 1/2.
 
1oz of #8 for skeet

I don't shoot trap other wise I would probably toss an extra 1/8 ounce in. Sporting clays get powdered with the same load as above.

I would load 7/8 but they don't cycle through my 1100.
 
The nice thing about reloading is that you can make different loads. 9, 81/2, 8 or 7 1/2?
For most shooting including short handicap, I really do not think it makes a difference. For long handicap I think 7 1/2 is the best.
 
BCFred said:
Lately I've been seriously considering making some changes in the shot sizes I'm using. Right now it's 9 for skeet (7/8oz), 8(1oz) for trap singles, first shot in doubles and close shots in clays and 71/2 (11/8 oz) for handicap, second shot in doubles and long shots in clays, not that chores are letting me out to play much right now:(. I'm thinking that 81/2 for everything I'm using 9 and 8 for might be good and simplify things a bit. Right now my shop looks like an ammo store where you walk down an aisle and select the shot size you want :). Our brothers and sisters down south seem to like 8 1/2.
Click to expand...

You will find that 8 1/2 lead is great for breaking clays at 16 yard trap. Really "smokes" those birds when centred. I did find that during colder weather the finer shot would at times shoot holes in birds without breaking them though.
 
If I had to choose one shot size for everything, it would be 7 1/2, just because everything would include long handicap and long sporting targets and cold targets and wet targets.
 
Covey Ridge said:
If I had to choose one shot size for everything, it would be 7 1/2, just because everything would include long handicap and long sporting targets and cold targets and wet targets.
Click to expand...

Can't agree more. 7 1/2 shot has to be the most versatile shot size out there. I have shot everything from common crows to fat northern mallards with 7 1/2 shot. In fact most choke constrictions are set with this shot size as well.:)
 
The more I think about it, the more the choice of 7 1/2 as the singlemost useful shot size seems to be a good one. So, maybe I'll have to rethink what I'm doing a bit, nothing new about that. I'm reluctant to use 7 1/2 in 1 oz loads though, because I see holes opening up in the pattern around 35 to 40 yards which, being a bit slow, is where I am taking most birds in trap. I don't see this with #8. No argument with 1 1/8 oz of 7 1/2. Economy and recoil led me to go with #8 and #9.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom