uwspmgc
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what do most folks use for skeet and trap? the range i go to has 7-8 shot and my buddy reloads with 9.
what size shot for trap/ skeet
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Al LaVodka
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For Trap 7 1/2, 8 or 9 shot are required.
Hits are at 36 yards on average. The heavier shot tends to break birds, though fewer pellets, with a tighter pattern and buck wind better while the lighter shot will spread the pattern a little more. Personally, I'd only use the 9 in a Full choke and hopefully on relatively calm days. In Winter League I only use 7 1/2.
Al
Hits are at 36 yards on average. The heavier shot tends to break birds, though fewer pellets, with a tighter pattern and buck wind better while the lighter shot will spread the pattern a little more. Personally, I'd only use the 9 in a Full choke and hopefully on relatively calm days. In Winter League I only use 7 1/2.
Al
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DaleCooper51
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I've settled on 7/8 oz of 8's at about 1225 fps for my 12 ga skeet and trap loads. It breaks the clays providing I do my part.
MachIVshooter
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I've always used #8 value pack stuff, and I/C or Modified.
Virginian
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Fun: whatever Wally World has on sale.
Serious: 9 for skeet and 8 for trap. 7-1/2s if you shoot from the back marker and there's a wind blowing.
Serious: 9 for skeet and 8 for trap. 7-1/2s if you shoot from the back marker and there's a wind blowing.
Snarlingiron
Member
I use 8s most of the time, 7 1/2s sometime. 9s on the skeet range. I use a full range of chokes. I shoot more open chokes most often, Cylinder, Skeet, IC. I use tighter chokes where warranted. A skeet choke and #9 shot work fine for a little over 30 yards. Beyond that 71/2s and 8s and tighter chokes.
NoVAshooter
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71/2 for trap with mod choke and 8 for skeet with skeet chokes. Works great!
Two Cold Soakers
Member
8 for all-around.
7.5 for trap beyond 16 yard line.
I don't use #9.
I'd shoot it if it was all I had, but won't choose a box or bother loading it.
Occasionally, shooting skeet, I've hit a clay with a single pellet, popped a hole in it and a puff of dust is all I see. Everybody else says I missed it.
In my experience, a bigger pellet will break a chunk off.
7.5 for trap beyond 16 yard line.
I don't use #9.
I'd shoot it if it was all I had, but won't choose a box or bother loading it.
Occasionally, shooting skeet, I've hit a clay with a single pellet, popped a hole in it and a puff of dust is all I see. Everybody else says I missed it.
In my experience, a bigger pellet will break a chunk off.
dubbleA
Member
I have pretty much settled on 8 1/2's for trap singles/doubles and skeet. From the 27 I'll go with 7 1/2s.
1 Hole
I sometimes go to the back of the range to pick up "dead" clays for use. You would be surprised to see how many have one hole in the dome.
I like 8s at about 1100 for trap I'm still loading 1 1/8th I'll probably drop that to one oz. soon that will get me more rounds from those expensive bags of shot. Easier on the shoulder as well.
I sometimes go to the back of the range to pick up "dead" clays for use. You would be surprised to see how many have one hole in the dome.
I like 8s at about 1100 for trap I'm still loading 1 1/8th I'll probably drop that to one oz. soon that will get me more rounds from those expensive bags of shot. Easier on the shoulder as well.
HOWARD J
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We shoot hand trap---1 1/8oz.--# 8 shot................
Al LaVodka
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Mod choke is OK but optimal at 25 Meters. Unless you are breakin' 'em "right outta the house" I/M for 30 Meters might be the way to go for Trap.
8 1/2 shot?
Al
8 1/2 shot?
Al
dubbleA
Member
Yes, it's a happy medium between #8's and #9's.
oneounceload
member
for sporting, if you want to use different size shot, use 8-1/2 for close and 7-1/2 for far and rabbits......that will take care of 99%.
Have fun
Have fun
Al LaVodka
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LOL But practically speaking, one is not going to encounter 8.5 shot. When even available in 12 ga. it is in premium loaded ammo i.e. Federal Gold Medal (who puts it in paper cartridges), Remington STS and Winchester AA. Estate and Rio might still make some too but...
You ain't gonna get it at Joe's Outdoor Shop or Walmart and never at "Walmart Shopper" prices. So, do most people use it? Absoposilutely not.
Al
oneounceload
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8-1/2's are great in smaller bores for skeet and sporting and work well even in 12. More folks are starting to use it as they see 9s as too small. Yes, they aren't in the wally world promo packs, but most folks who shoot any volume on a regular basis reload, so using 8-1/2 is not a bog deal. Besides, if you check out shot in a bag or cut open a shell and mic them, you'll find the shot sizes can vary one size up or down
Sauer Grapes
Member
#8 will do most everything. Long sporting targets I'll step up to 7 1\2. Good idea, windy days, 7 1\2 sounds good.
I know guys that won't shoot anything but 7 1\2 and 1 1\8 oz on the trap field for practice at the 16yd. line. They think I'm nuts when I shoot 7\8 oz., #8.
I think they're nuts for shooting those shoulder busters with 3 drams.
I know guys that won't shoot anything but 7 1\2 and 1 1\8 oz on the trap field for practice at the 16yd. line. They think I'm nuts when I shoot 7\8 oz., #8.
I think they're nuts for shooting those shoulder busters with 3 drams.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Almost all of my reloads are 7/8 oz, 1200 FPS. In winter 7 1/2 shot, summer 8 1/2.
8 1/2s will break trap targets,even from the 27 yard line,though not optimal.
8 1/2s will break trap targets,even from the 27 yard line,though not optimal.
jhallrv4
Member
I don't know anyone at my club that uses anything but 7 1/2 or 8.
I use mostly (okay, almost exclusively) 8, but my handicap yardage isn't that far from my singles yardage!
If I'm going to shoot anything from the 27 or sidewalk, I use my stash from a box of factory Heavy Handicap.
Jeff
I use mostly (okay, almost exclusively) 8, but my handicap yardage isn't that far from my singles yardage!
If I'm going to shoot anything from the 27 or sidewalk, I use my stash from a box of factory Heavy Handicap.
Jeff
8.5 is somewhat common among handloaders. It is certainly not "never seen", and most serious shotgunners end up making at least some of their own loads. 8.5 is especially good for 7/8 oz. Trap practice loads, or all-around low-recoil 12 Gauge 7/8 oz. loads for closer-range use.
The rule of thumb for buying bulk range loads like Gun Club would be #9 for skeet, #7 1/2 for longer-range Trap and Sporting Clays, #8 for all-around use. However, I had a flat of cheap 20 Gauge #7.5 game loads that I didn't like much in the field last season, so I've been burning through them at the skeet range. They work just fine.
I do think that #7.5 is a bit better for, say, far handicap Trap, since it holds its velocity better. This means less concern about shooting higher or leading the bird, even if it gets far out. How much better, though, is open to conjecture.
The rule of thumb for buying bulk range loads like Gun Club would be #9 for skeet, #7 1/2 for longer-range Trap and Sporting Clays, #8 for all-around use. However, I had a flat of cheap 20 Gauge #7.5 game loads that I didn't like much in the field last season, so I've been burning through them at the skeet range. They work just fine.
I do think that #7.5 is a bit better for, say, far handicap Trap, since it holds its velocity better. This means less concern about shooting higher or leading the bird, even if it gets far out. How much better, though, is open to conjecture.
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