If we stand back and think about it 5 factors in breaking a clay target, velocity, choke, pellet size, shot weight, and the target itself.
With little ability to vary velocity in reasonable loads you can reduce recoil most by cutting shot weight. Best way to make up for light shot loads with short range targets is smaller shot. 3/4 oz # 9 in guns with some choke breaks Skeet targets well, close to the trap, spinning fast, it does not take a lot to break one.
Longer targets another thing, 9s run out of gas, better to go to 7 1/2 and more shot = 7/8 oz. Increase in shot weight brings more recoil, I use factory 1 oz 7 1/2 in my modern gun & recoil increase is noticeable. Sweet spot for me with tight choked 12 g SxS and targets at varying distances short to long is 7/8 oz # 7 1/2.
That's why I say pattern on paper at intended distances & see what your preference is. I absolutely agree with Paul shorter shot column improves patterns. Why modern gun shooters overload 28 & 20 G guns with heavy shot loads escapes me.
William
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