Shot weight/FPS Question

[Off the Roster]

Being new to the game of trap, and to shotguns in general, I am currently trying to figure out what ammo composition suits me best. I like the advantage of the 1 1/8oz load, but at 1200fps it beats me up a little too much for extended shooting. If I want to shoot the 1 1/8oz but have the feel of a 1oz, what fps would achieve this result?

Thanks

[Thefeeder]

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There are a lot of 1 1/8 oz loads in the 1150 range or less which are softer on recoil for the most part.

Most part meaning that although they should have lower recoil, its not always the case because different powders and componets have different efects on felt recoil. Some have sharp recoils and some more of a pushy recoil.

But for most part yes 1 1/8 1150fps should be a better

[GrapesOfWrath]

Since you seem to be talking about felt recoil, it really depends upon the specific powder that you are using, burn rate and pressure generation to be specific. Actually, you can include hull, wad, primer in that equation if you are keeping 1 1/8 payload constant.

As a matter of practicality, I believe hull, primer, powder, wad and payload combinations that result in lower pressures, in general, will provide you with less felt recoil, there may be some exception to this. Break out the reloading reference and pick your poison.

If you are talking about factory loads, maybe the best bet is to go by Dram Eq. - which is a way of relating modern smokeless powder loads to traditional black powder loads, but in this case is used just as a relative guide of power. Lower Dram Eq will be lower recoil. Look for a Dram Eq <3 - maybe 2.75 with your prefered 1 1/8 load.

I buy 1 1/8 oz 7.5 Winchester AA Lites - part number AA127 - when I am building up an inventory of hulls - I buy only during rebate season. They shoot 1145 fps which is just a touch slow and does not really change my swing/lead too much.

Much of the "promo" shotgun target ammo have lighter loads of faster powders that tend to generate more felt recoil. The hulls also have one piece, flat bases that transmit more energy into the receiver wall and back into the butt stock.

Being particular about shotgun ammo gets expensive if you are into the trap game. You will be reloading soon - if you can find powder.

All this talk get even more complicated if you have an auto. Your gun choice probably has more impact over felt recoil. An auto consumes a lot of felt recoil and converts it into cycling the action. Heavy guns are next, followed by inertial recoil reducers (springs or mercury tubes.)

I apologize for the longwinded reply.

[bigbearbear]

Look for #7.5 or #8 1 1/8oz shots loaded at 1145fps, I use a lot of of these for trap shooting. I like the Federal Field & Target loads with this spec, but you can get similar loads from Winchester and Estate (which is another Federal brand anyway).

Cabelas have these on sale right now, $59.88 a case. Not bad, if you wait a little, they might run a $5 flat rate shipping too, which would be nice if you order a lot of cases.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Ammunition/Shotgun-Ammunition%7C/pc/104792580/c/104691780/sc/104567580/Federalreg-Field-Target-Shotshells-150-Per-Case/1201072.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fshotgun-ammunition%2F_%2FN-1100191%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104567580%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104792580%253Bcat104691780&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104792580%3Bcat104691780%3Bcat104567580

[Off the Roster]

Thank you, I will look in the 1145fps range for the 1 1/8oz. I realize that I should have mentioned that I do shoot an auto (Remington 1100 Trap) as it definitely does impact the science. While I have the same score results whether I shoot 7/8, 1, or 1 1/8 oz - my shoulder will be happier when the loads feel more similar.

[sargenv]

My question is.. have you tried utilizing something with less payload weight? It has been said that not too many people can really tell the difference between 1 1/8 oz and say 1 oz or even as light as 7/8 oz.. less payload and the same velocity will definitely be lighter recoil wise and you will likely not notice clay breaking ability all that much.. I've favored the 7/8 @ 1200 fps load for over 20 years.. it breaks just as many clays and results in less fatigue than the heavier 1 1/8 oz load..

[bigbearbear]

BTW do you have a shooting vest? One of those with a recoil pad on the shoulder will help a lot. They work much better than the recoil pad on your shotgun's stock because the pad on the vest is larger and spreads the recoil impulse over a larger area.

[ceh383]

I like the advantage of the 1 1/8oz load, but at 1200fps it beats me up a little too much for extended shooting.

While I have the same score results whether I shoot 7/8, 1, or 1 1/8 oz...

It seems to me, there is no advantage in using 1-1/8 oz loads if your scores do not improve when using them.
For me, 1 oz #8 @ 1200 ~ 1250fps works pretty well for everything, I see no reason to change...unless there's money on it...

[Newshooter]

Most trap shooters will tell you to stick with one ounce loads until you get back to the 23-25 yard line for handicap.

There is no real advantage using 1 1/8 oz loads from the 16 yd line. I actually shoot with a couple of people who only shoot 7/8oz due to coast savings of components and less recoil.

There can be a mental issue by knowing you have less shot but in reality, you already said your scores are the same whether you shoot different loads.

[JagerDog]

I doubt 1145 fps 1-1/8 loadings are going to "feel" like 1oz loads. I suspect you'd have to get down to 1000 fps to provide a similar sensation. That means handloading or semi-exotic "trainer" loads.

I think you'd be better served with 1oz loads if reduced recoil is your objective. With #8 shot there's plenty of pellets for 16 yard trap.

There's various recoil calculators on the net. Since you're using the same gun we don't need to be concerned with gun fit, or even gun weight to compare the math. FTR, chamber pressure is not a component of recoil.

[Off the Roster]

I do wear a shooting vest, and it is a great asset.

Everyone's advice is very helpful and in more ways than one: my body knows that 1 oz is the right answer and since I shoot it fine, I am just going to ignore the pressure from those who tell me that I NEED TO PREFER to shoot 1 1/8 oz. (Even though those the words exist in my 1st post they stem because of others and were never truly from me.) In my short time of shooting trap I have noticed that folks are very generous in sharing information, which is Fantastic, but a great percentage possess a "this is the way things are done...period" outlook. While there are many constants to this sport, I am an individual with individual characteristics, and ignoring them will only compromise my shooting.

Thanks for all the feedback!

[Newshooter]

You know the old saying... Everyone is an expert.

Enjoy the game and "break 'em all"

[jsimon7777]

I bought a slip-on Limbsaver pad. The difference is dramatic. I can fire target shot until I'm bored, and high-power loads are softened greatly. It might make your question moot.