Strength of Guns

[King Brown]

The 12 gauge killed considerable interest in our sports because beginners learned, "man, does that thing kick," and word got around. The fact that we bought into the bigger-is-better including the bang doesn't say much for our brains. The evidence of lighter-load efficacy was in our faces every day. Promoting lighter loads, as mentioned above, would bring more to the shooting sports than all the tiresome ranting and raving.

[ed good]

modern epoxy glues and small brass pins are wonderful things...

[charlie cleveland]

i agree shooting and reloading light loads are good on the shoulder and good on the gun...and you fellas that shoot clays and trap need them....but when im facing a turkey or have a load for a deer i want it to be loaded to the max...i shoot lite loads on doves and get my fair share but the boys shooting next to me use high brass and 1 1/4 ounce shot and weve been doing this for years...the boys shooting the heavy loads will kill more doves than us shooting the lite loads...but this is my opinon only....i learn a lot from these good threads.... charlie

[J. A. EARLY]

Originally Posted by charlie cleveland

i agree shooting and reloading light loads are good on the shoulder and good on the gun...and you fellas that shoot clays and trap need them....but when im facing a turkey or have a load for a deer i want it to be loaded to the max...i shoot lite loads on doves and get my fair share but the boys shooting next to me use high brass and 1 1/4 ounce shot and weve been doing this for years...the boys shooting the heavy loads will kill more doves than us shooting the lite loads...but this is my opinon only....i learn a lot from these good threads.... charlie

Charlie,

I hunt with the same kind of fellows. On opening day they shoot at every bird from 5 yards to 100 yards with maximum loads. For every one they kill, they cripple three. Half of what they kill they never pick up, mostly because they fell a half mile away, just keep shooting. And then when the doves are all gone after the first two days they wonder why. I've had some big arguments with them, especially the ones who shoot six boxes on opening day. All I want is my 15 and then be done with it, and the fewer shells the better.

[Holeshot]

My competion loads are heavy loads. The difference between high gun and 2nd is usually settled by 1 or 2 rocks. Heavy loads break more targets for me. My casual SC loads are lighter. I like using Rem sp wads and polywad spredders. Gives you normal shot sizes and room for the spreader. Works great with tight choked parkers. Dave

[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by David Holes

My competion loads are heavy loads. The difference between high gun and 2nd is usually settled by 1 or 2 rocks. Heavy loads break more targets for me. My casual SC loads are lighter. I like using Rem sp wads and polywad spredders. Gives you normal shot sizes and room for the spreader. Works great with tight choked parkers. Dave

I shot a lot of ATA trap in the 80's and 90's and felt the same way. However it is interesting to note that a more difficult game, Bunker/Olympic/International trap is now shot with 24 gram loads. Int'l shooters have had to steadily decrease the payload from 1 1/4 ounce to 7/8 ounce and overall scores have gone up.

[charlie cleveland]

now thats a interesting note.... charlie

[Kensal Rise]

Dennis:
Pardon me if I return to the original premise: As others have said, 1 oz. loads are all that is needed in the 12-bore for sporting purposes. Given the assumption that you place your shot well, they will work fine - and save a fine Parker as well as your shoulder.

For targets, I have shot 7/8 oz loads in choked guns for decades with perfect satisfaction. And, even if the bore is cylinder, 1 oz. of #8 is effective on any sporting course if you can lead the shot. If you can't, full choke and 1 1/8 oz. won't help.

Best, Kensal

[Dennis]

Thanks to all who offered opinions. The answers are pretty much what I thought they would be. I totally agree with using smaller shot loads for game and targets as well. I always wonder why gun and ammunition companies seem to push for turkey loads that are supposed to kill at long distances when most people call turkeys in to 30-40 yards. I have only shot one turkey and that was with a 1 1/4 ounce load of #6 lead shot. It was about 35 yards and he just fell over. My Winchester 42 probably could have done just as well. Maybe it is us that needs to spread the word that all of these monster kicking guns just aren't needed to make clean shots on game. As for damage to guns I think common sense should be the rule and each gun viewed by itself as to what loads to safely fire both for the gun and the shooter. Thanks for your answers.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Dennis V. Nix

I always wonder why gun and ammunition companies seem to push for turkey loads that are supposed to kill at long distances when most people call turkeys in to 30-40 yards. Maybe it is us that needs to spread the word that all of these monster kicking guns just aren't needed to make clean shots on game. As for damage to guns I think common sense should be the rule and each gun viewed by itself as to what loads to safely fire both for the gun and the shooter.

For years I have been a proponent of the very same opinions you have expressed here. Heavy loads are not necessary as long as the shooter knows his gun and its limits. Remember, the very center of every target or game animal or gamebird is exactly the same size... make very sure you shoot to that point. Head shots gentlemen - take only head shots.