Usefulness of #9 shot
 

I came across a bag of #9 shot that I was considering for use in spreader loads at clays. I load 3/4 oz. of shot in my spreaders and 9's would give me a denser pattern than 8's at 30-35 yards if it takes me a while to get on target. Any thoughts on the effectiveness of 9's at that range?

Has worked for me for years in 12 and 20. Try it i think you will like them.

I shoot nothing but 9’s over my dogs on Means quail. Believe me when I say a 30 yards or less it’s deadly. I hear it leaves too much shot in the birds. That’s no my experience at all.
I have used 10 shot on pigeons and it will make a believer of you that the small shot is deadly.

I like 9's in the early Woodcock season.

I love them for short work. In 3/4 oz 12g they are amazing for skeet. It's my preferred early season woodcock/grouse size for shot.

I have shot 9's for woodcock and bob whites while hunting. I have also used 9's on the clays course both as spreader loads and std 1oz. loads. You will need to check your patterns with which/what ever you use. They can be devastating on face type targets but may lack some on edge targets at distance.

I had a collegiate shooter that shot 9's as his first shot in trap doubles. He was really quick on the shot and all you saw was a puff.... Some trap shooters are shooting 8.5's from the 16 yard line also. 9's are the given choice for most skeet shooters.

Just an FYI

It puts a lot more lead in the air.

Honestly I'd hate to say how many tons of #9's I've shot at skeet targets , dove and quail . In every gauge from 10 down to 410:whistle:

FWIW I was shooting #9 light loads in my 26" barreled 10 gauge hammer gun last evening at skeet .

20 ga. #9 shot was all we used for Eastern Shore wild quail (bobwhite) over pointing dogs back in the 80's. I never noticed excessive shot in the birds.

.Like Phil, I'm shooting #9, mainly from my 410. It's a deadly 1/2 ounce load for sure. Then #8 for most other loads. Doesn't destroy the bird.

Chris, AZ