Shot size - basic question

[Clark McCombe]

New to the shooting sport.
What’s the relative difference between 8, 7 1/2, 7, and 6?
What would be best for sporting clays, trap snd skeet?
Does it make a difference in the gauge of the gun used - 12 ga to .410?

[B. Dudley]

Smaller size, more pellets. But smaller pellets may not have the breaking power at longer ranges.

Most clays clubs do not allow larger than 7 or 7-1/2 on their courses.

I would think that most people shooting sporting clays and trap are using 7-1/2 or 8. And skeet are using 8 or 9.

6 and larger would be hunting loads.

[6pt-Sika]

I used to load #9 for skeet dove and quail , #8 for 16 yard trap skeet doubles at all stations and sporting , I used to load #7 1/2 for handicap trap and rap doubles . Then later in life I ent to #8 for everything but the 410 . Now I’m pretty much all #7 1/2 for clays of any type , pigeon shoots ,quail and dove then #6 for tower shots .

[Clark McCombe]

Thank you…
I have a .410 (not a Parker)��
Was wondering what might be better.
It seems the #8 for my 12 and 16 are fine.
Didn’t know if there was a fine distinction between 7 1/2 and 8 that good shooters recommended.
Somewhere I saw the quote
“Just shoot the damn thing.”
I think that’s what I’ll do.

[Andy]

I never shoot smaller than 7.5 in frigid weather as I've seen a great many clays in single digit temps with pock marks and holes but no breaks. Otherwise it's 8 for everything else including skeet.

[Bill Murphy]

I would prefer #8 in the .410 for everything but skeet where I would use #9. Anything bigger than #9 does not flow well in my .410 loader. I don't know what to do about that. I have filed, sanded, and waxed the shot tube, to no avail.

[Clark McCombe]

good to know, thanks.
Topic for discussion:
Does practicing with a .410 make you a better shooter when you use a 12?

[Bill Murphy]

Tens of thousands of rounds with any size shotgun. Knowing what to practice makes something of those rounds. Otherwise, they mean nothing. Many high volume shooters have never learned how to shoot.

[Researcher]

This may help. It is over 120 years old, but shot sizes haven't change.

1902 Shot Tables, Chilled.jpg

[Clark McCombe]

cool !
Thank you!