Best ammo for trap

[Texanreloader]

Looking to get back into trap shooting after a 20yr hiatus. I think we used to shoot Winchester AA, but can't remember (old ). What is being recommended for for 12gauge trap shooting these day?

 

[ericuda]

I would pick federal game loads off the shelf from Wal-Mart but the more serious folks either load their own or use AA's here. Midway actually shows some on stock.

 

[Roverguy]

1) the ammo you can find; 2) the ammo you can afford.

After that, it’s a function of point 2 again. I have been very happy with Fiocchi Shooting Dynamics for practice ammo and still have a good deal of B&P F2 Mach and Rio Star Team Evo, but then I shoot mainly Sporting, and Skeet to a much lesser extent; very little Trap these days. I also got hold of about 10 flats of Nobel Sport during the darkest days of the Latest Drought and they were far better than My expectations and perception. You certainly won’t be unhappy with Winchester AA if you can find them in quantity, though quality on everything is a little less these days given the effort to get it out the door.

 

[DustyGmt]

Anything you can find relatively cheap at you nearest box store or sporting good store. Federal Top Guns in #8-#7.5 is what I typically use because it's all I typically find. I've found some Fiocchi #7.5's too.

Expect to pay between $80-$110 per 250rd case though. I can't wait until the stores are flush with flats of AA's again. If I'd known I was going to take up trap shooting I would have bought a case every time I went when they were $49/250rd case. They became really hard to find in the fall for me, but was able to sniff out what I needed in the spring and summer. Not many people are shooting trap up here in VT this time of year so I gotta start sniffing out cases again so I have a nice stack when spring shooting begins.

I have been regularly watching Federals website and the 25rd boxes have not budged from $10.99 (too expensive) in over an entire year the website price has not changed, but I find cases of the same federal stuff in sporting goods stores for $89/250

 

[dieselchief]

1 1/8 7.5 is the standard. cheap ammo just holds back your improving skill set. fed top gun, rem gun clubs will allow you progress faster. better wads and better shot quality is the reason,,,,,

 

[ColtPythonElite]

From 16 yard line, any 7.5 or 8 shot load will break the targets if you point the gun in the right direction. I prefer 1 1/8 oz. loads, but can do just as well from the 16 with 1 oz.

I wouldn't pay for AA's even for registered trap for 16 yard shooting. Handicap from the 27, might be a whole nuther thing.

 

[PapaG]

I prefer 12 ga, 1 1/8 #8 @ 1145 fps for 16 to 20 yards. Same amount of 7 1/2 back to my league handicap of 24-26 yards. 1200 for hcp if it's windy.
Factory, my reloads, either works.
Sometimes, for games, if the other guys are pushing it I'll use 1 1/4 of #6 in the Annie's for third shot or back fence games.

 

[herrwalther]

Whatever you can easily buy in bulk. I never thought of skeet to be much about high end shells with tight patterns. I can normally find Winchester AA 7 or 8s by the case at most big box stores.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Whatever you can easily buy in bulk. I never thought of skeet to be much about high end shells with tight patterns.

But, the OP wasn't asking about skeet...

 

[herrwalther]

But, the OP wasn't asking about skeet...

Walk into most gun stores saying "trap" and you could be lead to several different parts of the hunting and shooting sports. I use skeet vernacular for both skeet, trap, and other clay shooting.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

. I use skeet vernacular for both skeet, trap, and other clay shooting.

Lots of people incorrectly call anything shooting at a clay target "skeet". Some also call a box of clay targets a box of "skeet".

 

[herrwalther]

Lots of people incorrectly call anything shooting at a clay target "skeet". Some also call a box of clay targets a box of "skeet".

Cool story.

 

[Bill M.]

Let me be real clear about what I think is the "best" ammo for trap. 7.5 or 8 shot. 1 0z or 1 1/8 oz. Beyond that the only thing that matters is price, the cheaper the better, until you are running scores of 98-99 or so out of 100. Shooting handicap STS looks good but it will not buy a missed target.

 

[Pete D.]

I have not bought shells for Trap in quite a while. When i did it was Walmart and whatever was on sale…..frequently that was Remington Gun Club….1 1/8oz 7.5s 12 gauge.
My own loads use primed hulls from BPI (I forget the brand) whatever wad fits the hull, 1 1/8 oz 7.5s and 19 grains of Promo. They work just fine out of the BT-99.

 

[Thomasss]

Can still load my own at $6.00/box. Top gun or Gold Medal hull, Win or Fed primer, Downrange Windjammer wad, 17.5 grns. Red Dot, 1/18 oz. load, 8's in summer and 7.5s in winter and occasionally re-claimed shot. With handicap I'll switch to PB at 23 grains @1200fps.
Ya, I still have a couple pounds of PB And trap-shooters Vic Reinders and Dick Bennet always told me "to shoot a wall of pellets" if I wanted to win.

 

[toivo]

Federal Top Gun or Remington Gun Club. IMO, Winchester AA are only worth the money if you reload and want to get the most uses out of the hulls.

 

[bangswitch]

From 16 yard line, any 7.5 or 8 shot load will break the targets if you point the gun in the right direction..

I like that.
I'm an occasional clays shooter, 5-stand, skeet and sporting clays. The cheapest thing I can find is what I use, usually Estate game/target loads. Federal makes them.

 

[PapaG]

Can still load my own at $6.00/box. Top gun or Gold Medal hull, Win or Fed primer, Downrange Windjammer wad, 17.5 grns. Red Dot, 1/18 oz. load, 8's in summer and 7.5s in winter and occasionally re-claimed shot. With handicap I'll switch to PB at 23 grains @1200fps.
Ya, I still have a couple pounds of PB And trap-shooters Vic Reinders and Dick Bennet always told me "to shoot a wall of pellets" if I wanted to win.

 

[PapaG]

Be advised, anything smaller than 7 1/2'shot will not make it past thirty or so yards. Those 8s and 8 1/2s are fine for 16 yard singles but will fall to the ground before getting to the handicap birds. LOL.
Go to the trapshooters website for unending debates over shot size.
I use 7 1/2, 8, 8 1/2 and 9. Depends on the game.

 

[Roverguy]

Be advised, anything smaller than 7 1/2'shot will not make it past thirty or so yards. Those 8s and 8 1/2s are fine for 16 yard singles but will fall to the ground before getting to the handicap birds. LOL.
Go to the trapshooters website for unending debates over shot size.
I use 7 1/2, 8, 8 1/2 and 9. Depends on the game.

In a word: poppycock.

While making shots at 40 yards and a bit is one thing, the problem isn’t whether #7.5 will break them. When I was competitive at Sporting Clays, I made a few and saw many successful breaks at 40 yards and a few more.

 

[eastbank]

yes, i have made a few shots at past 40 yards with #8 shot. i think the over all pattern has alot to do with it.

 

[PapaG]

In a word: poppycock.

While making shots at 40 yards and a bit is one thing, the problem isn’t whether #7.5 will break them. When I was competitive at Sporting Clays, I made a few and saw many successful breaks at 40 yards and a few more.

I need a sarcasm emoji. I thought LOL would cover it.

 

[PapaG]

I will try my best to avoid jests, sarcasm and humor. The same entry several other places evoked no rips, just haha, and laughter emojis.
I have learned my lesson.

 

[sequins]

I will try my best to avoid jests, sarcasm and humor. The same entry several other places evoked no rips, just haha, and laughter emojis.
I have learned my lesson.

Don't sweat it, every time I see a guy at the line shooting 8 I ask if he's trying to break the birds or just scare them. I think its a classic gag.

I prefer #7.5 and I prefer 1 1/8oz but ill shot #8 1oz all day if its the cheapest.

 

[ChanceMcCall]

Bass Pro and Cabela's have a store brand made in Italy under the label Herter's. They work well unlike the Super Targets from Winchester which have consistent quality control problems. They are often less expensive than Gun Clubs and Estates which I also shoot regularly. Rios are also reliable ammo but not often found and not often at lower prices.

I am not a trap shooting champion, mostly shooting singles and some doubles from the 16 yard line averaging around 94-96 on singles, but other than some problem shells I have not noticed that any particular brand makes any difference in my scores. It would be fair to characterize me as not being someone who easily drinks the Kool Aid that more expensive guns and more expensive ammo is going to make me a better shooter when it comes to clay shooting. Gun fit and lots of practice seem more logical to me. ( I have very different opinions regarding rifles and handguns however.)