Thoughts on pellet counts for clays?

[Andy]

Originally Posted by todd allen

I would give the advantage to the number 8 shot. Pattern density/coverage = more odds of a kill.
As for the 3 dimensional shot cluster: The shot is going so much faster than the target that the whole column has passed through or by the target in an instant, making the pattern results quite two dimensional.
You could do the math on this.
Target is traveling at say, 35 - 50 MPH
Shot is traveling at, let's say 1000 FPS, or 682 MPH
I'm not going to go through the whole exercise, but the target, even at 50 MPH, has moved very little vs. the 682 MPH of the shot.

A re-read of Bob Brister might help. I do believe there is a factor with target speed there. I'm not a great shot, but I know a few really talented shooters. NONE of them pattern to count pellets, they only use a plate for checking barrel regulation and POI. One is an older gentleman who was on the 2004 Olympic trap team who said you get more benefit from a HIGH QUALITY nickel plated factory load and being on target than you ever will from counting pellets and trying to predict patterns. I think as a whole the Europeans are better at realizing this than we are. Can't say I would disagree with simplification. Back to the original question, FOR ME, I would choose a slightly higher pellet count to offset my suckage, whether it matters or not who knows.