Thoughts on pellet counts for clays?

[Double Lab]

Originally Posted by scott kittredge

I shoot all 7 1/2s. I found with alot of test patterns, the bigger the shot the tighter the patterns. But that what i found and that 7 1/2s shot better than 8s in 3/4, 7/8ths and 1 oz loads at 1150 fps.
Scott

That has been my experience too Scott. I only use the pattern board for POI. I can tell from target breaks how effective my loads are. I only load 7 1/2's as I believe there is more energy in them than 8's. This is my opinion and everyone has own their favorite load, shot size and opinion.

I shoot every week with a nice bunch of guys and just today of of them asked me what choke I was using on one particularly long bird which turned out to be a midi which made it look further out than it was. He knows I shoot 3/4oz of 7 1/2's for everything. It was a full choked M12 12ga.

This gentleman is a constant choke changer and asked me if I didn't wish that I had a more open choke for pair of incomers at 20yds. Of course not why would you ask? His solution is 3 separate shot charges. 7/8oz of 8 1/2's for those close in babies, 1 oz. of 8's for mid range targets and an 1 1/8 of 7 1/2's for any thing over 30yds. I looked him straight in the eye and asked him; "If the 7 1/2's can break a target at 40 yds then they certainly can break a target at 25 yds." Why confuse yourself? He paused for a moment then said "I never looked at it that way"

We'll see if it sinks in over the week.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Daryl Corona

This gentleman is a constant choke changer and asked me if I didn't wish that I had a more open choke for pair of incomers at 20yds. Of course not why would you ask? His solution is 3 separate shot charges. 7/8oz of 8 1/2's for those close in babies, 1 oz. of 8's for mid range targets and an 1 1/8 of 7 1/2's for any thing over 30yds.

Ya really can overthink these things...





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[Bruce Hering]

I have heard this kind of topic of discussion for a long, long time.

Here are my thoughts: From the scores given and a possibility to replicate the day, time, etc. I suspect the higher score would get the higher score regardless of ammo. The ability of that individual to read his targets and put his gun/shot load where it needed to be should remain the same and thus that shooter would duplicate (or close) his performance.

I would also propose that each shooter must practice with the gun, choke and load(s) said shooter intends to use in order to gain familiarity with said performance. When I was coaching my collegiate shotgun team I had several top shooters that would screw in one set or one choke tube (semi autos) and go through a round with one type of ammo and get the job done. Most of these young folks has shot 1000's of competition targets by the time they got to me, so I felt comfortable letting them continue with their chosen means and methods. So, I guess, if ya know your gun and how it performs and you can read targets well (sporting clays and FITASC) you should be good to go.

Now, for my own shooting I have several different loads that I use but that is because different guns like different loads. In my modern guns I like a 1oz. load of 8's for most everything until ya get that long squirrely target and then I go to 7.5's. These are loads traveling about 1250-1300 fps. but I do shoot a lot of "bunker loads" 7/8's oz. of 7.5's traveling from 1350-1360. For my old guns I like to stay at 1oz. @ 1180-1200 on a clays course or trap field. I am going to experiment with 7/8's oz. loads for the older guns as reload components become available in both 2 3/4's and 2.5 inch ammo.

I really feel that this is a case of the indian and not the arrow nor the bow string for that matter. If a shooters perception of target and mental understanding of what the target is doing (sporting clays) and is shooting from the subconscious once the "plan" is made then he/she will likely break the target. Shoot from the conscious mind and you are going to have problems....

JMHO

[Craig Larter]

Shoot a 8ga and and ya never worry about pellet count.

[Stan Hillis]

If money was on the line my $$$ would be on the 1 oz. load of 8s ..............everytime. Whether someone else was doing the shooting, or me. There are just too many holes in a pattern of 3/4 oz. 7 1/2s at distance. An edgy target can get through. Another thing ......... I've picked up too many targets on the course that had two and even three holes in them but didn't have a "visible" chip off of them. Multiple pellet strikes is imperative and more pellets is better here, IMO.

Neither guy was using my favorite sporting load ............... 1 1/8 oz. hard 8s (or 7 1/2s on long rabbits) at 1150 fps. I don't like chips, they build no confidence. I like smoke balls.

[Stan Hillis]

Originally Posted by John Davis

I do all of this because the small muscle between my ears tells me so. Doesn't matter what the science is. If you believe it, it works.

There is no replacement for confidence in your load and equipment ........... none.

[Bob Brown]

I think in most cases the better pattern density of the 8s would allow the option of a more open choke and a larger effective pattern giving an advantage to Harry. On the other hand far more shooters are affected by recoil of a heavier load that would admit to it or even realize it. A slight hesitation in the swing or follow through, a bit of a tug on the trigger, a blink or even tiny tightening of the muscles can cause misses that get blamed on holes in patterns. Probably not a big issue for a 96 or a 91 average shooter, but no one is immune.