Feel the same about 9's, Stan. Have several cases of old AA's in 9's. They are fine for quick, close shots at sporting clays. One year I shot them on grouse, and I had to throw away too many breasts, they were just shredded. Straight #7's make a really effective killing load.

I like to simplify things as much as possible in life. I shoot nothing but 7 1/2's and tight chokes. 9's to me are cripplers on game and targets. Putting more pellets in a load doesn't make it a more lethal load . Putting the shot charge slightly ahead of the bird is what makes X's.

How many use 9's for 1: Sporting Clays, 2: Trap, 3: Skeet? I imagine more on skeet than anything else. I've been an 8's guy for any clay discipline, and don't shoot trap or skeet so take that for what it's worth : ) But I'm reading that Performance Clays reloading manual from BP and they talk about all sorts of different loads for different targets. I'm lucky if I can find my shells when I show up let alone have multiple loads at my fingertips.

I use 8’s for all clays games and all of my grouse and woodcock hunting except late season grouse when I switch to 7’s. For turkeys and pothole ducks I use 6’s.





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I use #9 shot for 410 skeet and woodcock. For most hunting I use 6 - 7 - 7 1/2. #7 work for most if you can get it. RST loads it and I reload with it.For clays #8 works for most shots.

no 9 s are being the new turkey load...I got me a box of 5 shells hope to use them this spring....charlie

Andy, next time you are here I’ll show you my set up. 650 Jr presses for specialty length shells in 10, 12,16,20,28 and .410 along with a Lee press for black powder and a Spolar progressive for standard length 12,20,28 and .410 if I need volume. I can load anything from large ITX and TSS non-tox right up through #10 and #12 lead. Spreaders in every gauge. I am set up to roll crimp too. If that’s not enough take three steps over and we load metallic cartridges too. 😁😎

I want to see it Mike! Holy cow, you act like you own a clays course or something. :p

I have that je ne sais quoi, just ask Jeff Stegmeier !! :rotf:

Is that what they call it these days? :rotf: