Sporting Clays

[charlie cleveland]

paul them 3/4 ounce 12 ga are doing a fine job on doves when i see one to shoot at.. and they are knocking down birds at unreal ranges 45 to 55 steps... charlie

[Paul Harm]

I've read that the 3/4oz load will tighten up patterns too much at skeet ranges [ 20 yds]. There's less deformation of the last shot in the shot column so more stays round and in the pattern. We seem to break clays nice out to 35/40 yds with skeet chokes.

[Christopher Piercey]

It seems to be more consistent, not necessarily tighter

[Paul Harm]

One of the big names that writes about shotgun loads in the SC's magazines claimed at skeet ranges the patterns were too tight. He recomended just chilled shot and or fiber wads in place of plastic wads. And yes, the patterns are more consistent, or more even with less holes. In FITASC they went from 1 1/4 to 1oz of shot. Everyone complained saying the scores would go way down - they didn't - scores stayed the same. Just think - a 1/4oz less of shot and it made no difference. I know when I went from an 1 1/8 to 1oz, and then to 7/8 I kind of worried. But not anymore - I'm now at 3/4oz and hitting them the same with a lot less recoil.

[Double Lab]

I've experienced the same thing Paul. 1 1/8oz>1>7/8>3/4oz. Scores did'nt change and I'm having a blast shooting some 12ga. guns that just got neglected because I did'nt like the recoil even with 7/8oz. loads. I've also patterned my 3/4oz. load on paper and found that whether it's full choke (.030+) or skeet (.005) the patterns are uniform with no flyers. I load nothing but Lawrance Magnum shot, 6% or higher antimony. Just to illustrate the point, a few years back, they mandated the 24gram load for international bunker. That's about 1/16oz lighter than a 7/8oz. load. That is an extremely difficult game at best. They discovered that their scores actually went up, not down, due to the lack of recoil and the quick recovery for a second shot which can sometimes be at 45yds.+. Last night at our weekly Thurs. night shoot, we shot skeet, all doubles and you have to shoot them in reverse (ie: station 1- low house first and then high house.) Gives a new meaning to Sk in/ Sk out. I was using a grade2, 1frame, 32" fishtail hammer with .036 and .039 chokes. Everyone wanted to shoot it and to a man they all said " That gun really likes that load you're shooting". I don't know about the gun but I know I do. What's not to like; no recoil and low pressure. Bottom line is I think people worry way too much about chokes. The goal is to center the target and that center does'nt change size. I just happen to love shooting tight chokes and vaporizing targets. Great feedback to the old onboard computer between my ears that I do'nt get with more open chokes. But that's just me.

[Christopher Piercey]

I think if you shoot well, you can use a much smaller payload to great effect, like shooting a small-gauge gun as opposed to a 12

[Paul Harm]

You'll find with a large payload such as 1 1/8oz a lot of the shot in the bottom of the taller shot column gets deformed giving you many flyers. Yes you'll sometimes hit with a flyer, but all that's doing is giving a false indication of where the main shot pattern is. You'll shot the same again and miss wondering why. It's not that you have to be a better shooter to use a smaller payload, but a smaller payload will make you a better shooter.

[Mills]

One of my favorite Parkers for clays is a 12 gauge PH with F/F chokes. I shoot the RST maxilite with it and it does extremely well

[Mills]

I think the low pressure and smaller shot of RST loads has a lot to do with why I shoot better with them than with higher pressure loads.

[Paul Harm]

Steve, I have a couple of friends who shoot a "swing through" method. Now I'm not one to say what method to use be it pull away, swing through, intercept, or maintain lead; but when they tire a bit they start missing. Their timing isn't the same. A heavier gun keeps moving after the shot, a lighter gun is easier to start moving. So many things to consider - quess that's why we're not all master class shooters.