At skeet ranges, 22yds or so, reclaimed shot doesn't hurt, for anything else I'd reload the magnum shot. I also shoot 3/4oz in the 12ga. The shorter the shot column with lead shot, the less deformation the back shot will have. There's less weight pushing against it. Also better patterns because more shot is staying round. I shot 1oz in the 10ga, and it smokes targets at any range. Well, at least out to 45yds or so, the farthest we throw birds. The shell manufactures for some reason boost the velocity when they go to lighter loads. Why they think most shooters can tell the difference in 1200 or 1300fps is be one me. A lot of guys on another reloading forum go to 1300fps when loading 3/4oz in the 12ga to reduce "hot core" type of patterns. I've found 3/4oz in a IC choked gun will break birds nice out to 40yds. A 12 bore is .729 and 1 1/8oz is .779 high, 1oz/.681, 7/8oz/.607, and 3/4oz/.52 high. So, 1oz and less is better than even the " sq. load ". Think how short the string and how less shot is deformed with a 3/4oz load in a 12ga. When FITASC went from 1 1/4oz to 1oz loads everyone thought scores would take a dive. They didn't, they stayed the same. People think 3/4oz in a 28ga gives such great patterns. Well, think how great they are in a 12 - much shorter shot column. JMHO's.
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Paul Harm
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