best ammo for trap & skeet

[Stanky626]

What's the best round for trap and skeet shooting?

I've been using Federal 2 3/4 inch, 1 1/8 oz, 3 dram, 7 1/2 for skeet. Is this also appropriate for trap and eventually sporting clays?

[-hanko]

Originally Posted by Stanky626

What's the best round for trap and skeet shooting?

I've been using Federal 2 3/4 inch, 1 1/8 oz, 3 dram, 7 1/2 for skeet. Is this also appropriate for trap and eventually sporting clays?

I like 8's for skeet and 7's for trap, 7-1/2's are a nice compromise. If you're shooting regulation trap, you might be limited to 1 oz maximum. I helped myself with informal skeet with 1-1/4 oz loads. Then again, I'm a lousy shot

-hanko

[kmca]

Your loads are just fine. If it's registered trap, skeet or sporting clays, max size is 7-1/2, 3dram equiv, 1-1/8 oz. Whether you use 7-1/2 or 8 depends on how your gun patterns.

If you're reloading, you might consider going to a 2-3/4 dram equiv load.

[maxicon]

There's a lot of discussion on the best affordable ammo for clay sports over at www.shotgunworld.com.

There's a pretty good consensus that these brands are good bets (all depending on what your gun likes, of course):

Cheap loads:
Remington Gun Club, Game Load, Dove Load
Winchester Universal
Rio

Cheap Federal and Estates are reliable but dirty.

More expensive loads:
Federal Gold Medal
Remington STS
Winchester AA

Here's an interesting post from one of the regulars:

"The difference between the big three manufacturers premium ammunition and their promotional loads is hardness of shot, quality of wad, and the type of powder. The premium shells use hard/high antimony shot, quality wads, and more consistent powder, resulting in generally better more uniform patterns. The promotional ammo uses cheap soft shot, cheap wads, and fast burning powders (so less is used). Some say they can feel a sharper recoil from the promotional ammo, and the patterns are not as uniform."

[edbon9]

I use the following loads:

Skeet: 2 3/4 dram 1 1/8oz #9's

more bb's and the shots are closer than in trap. #8's work nicely, too.

for competition trap (ata/pita):

2 3/4dram 1 1/8oz #8s for singles (16yds)
2 3/4dram 1 1/8oz #7.5's for handicap (out to 24yds)

for doubles I use a 1oz 1 1/8 #8's for the first shot and 1 1/8oz for the second.

usually Remington STS's which is quite consistent but you do get the
occasional hard primer, Winchester AA's are good too.


If I'm just practicing I'll use any type of load I've shot rios,kemens, estates,
and the cheap federal, remington gun club walmart loads. the consistency
from shot to shot isn't the same and they are usually 3dram loads which
recoils a lot more especially when you shoot 300-400 rounds in a day. in a
long competition 3-4-5 days you will feel it . the powder is usually smokier and dirtier, too.

[JPN6336]

I go to Walmart and buy the value pack of 100 rounds. Either Federal or Remington, 7 1/2 or 8. Whichever they have in stock of 12 ga. that come to hand first. Seems to work when I use an appropriate gun and do my part.

[rg_1111@yahoo.com]

Winchester AA 7 1/2 trap.
Skeet AA 9 shot.

[ysr_racer]

Shoot the cheapest #8s you can find at everything. You'll be fine.