Light and fast load shot shells

[bigbearbear]

With the weather turning really nice tonight, went to shoot some trap with my wife at Sunnyvale and a regular there gave me an entire box (25 shells) of hand loads that he loaded. It is a very light load, only 3/4oz of #7.5 shot but at a screaming fast 1300+ fps.

I normally shoot 1 1/8oz #8 at 1145 or 1200fps so I was a little skeptical but I was surprised when my score didn't really change. The very light load means very little recoil with my semi-auto Benelli but it was still enough to cycle the action, plus I've noticed the amount of lead I need for those hard rights and lefts are very much less. I think I'm going to get a Spolar Gold reloader so I can create this load myself.

For those who shoot clay regularly, do you guys go with a light and fast load or a heavier one at a slower fps?

[beetle]

neither :P

I'm right in the middle of what you say. My favorite trap load is 1oz at about 1180.

good choice on the spolar. let me know if you need any help getting started!

[Jet Setter]

I prefer 1 oz at 1290 to 1350 fps.

[ysr_racer]

I prefer 1 oz at 1290 to 1350 fps.

Holy crap that's a shoulder killer. I'm at 1oz at 1200fps.

My buddy shoots 3/4oz at 1300fps, and they're soft.

[SunsetIE]

I shoot 1 1/8th oz #8 at 1250fps - 700x

[bigbearbear]

good choice on the spolar. let me know if you need any help getting started!

Thanks, I'll touch base if I have questions for it. I've never shot reloads with my shotgun previously but I am impressed with that box of reloads given to me tonight. They were loaded with a Spolar Gold and they felt like quality shells, consistent in their felt recoil and no issues whatsoever.

I went from "will these shell misfire and jam?" to "wow, these are good stuff!".

[serper3]

was his name tony?

i used to shoot 3/4 and 7/8 all the time when i reloaded. it is great for trap and skeet practice but you definitely will see your score slip a bit as the lighter loads are not as forgiving.

[Thefeeder]

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Your perception of a smaller lead is just that...a perception

If you do the math, and I have feeling you are one of those who can, you'll find that there is only a couple of inches of lead difference between 1150 and 1300

For target I shoot 1200....for hunting doves 1300....for hunting pheasants 1500
for hunting geese 1700......I never change how I shoot as far as leads.... now I'm I subconsciously changing my leads....I really don't want to know as long as I feel I'm doing the same thing and hitting targets....I'm good

Measuring leads, as you know, will produce misses rather hits.

[BOBGBA]

I like 7/8 at about 1200 (never chrono'd them) for skeet. They pattern well and seem to work better for me than 3/4.
Wish I had the $ for a spolar, but my MEC grabber works just fine.

[bigbearbear]

was his name tony?

i used to shoot 3/4 and 7/8 all the time when i reloaded. it is great for trap and skeet practice but you definitely will see your score slip a bit as the lighter loads are not as forgiving.

The load data did came from Tony (who was there last night too, he seems to be there all the time) but it was another regular by the name Dong Wei who did the reloading and gave me those shells.

Tony is probably Spolar's best sales rep in the club because he gives out these load data based on his own Spolar reloader and those new to reloading will likely end up buying one too because it is easier to just copy everything he did.

[Revoman]

1 ounce at about 1180, use the AA Lite powder, which they stopped making (crap!). TiteGroup is also a good powder and you can get soft loads outta Red Dot as well.
Spolars are expensive, but if you can afford it, great. As mentioned in a previous post, MECs put out some great ammo for a LOT less.

[Newshooter]

neither :P

I'm right in the middle of what you say. My favorite trap load is 1oz at about 1180.

This...shoot 300 rounds in a day (600 rounds in a weekend) and your shoulder will appreciate the light loads. I am actually closer to 1150 with 1 oz which is perfect for me.

1300 is pretty quick for trap. I load mine on a MEC as well. I wish I could afford a used Spolar let alone a brand new one!

[Tom-ADC]

7/8 oz at 1200 cycles my 11-87 just fine. I use a MEC 9000G and have for many years have two 12 & 20 bullet proof.

[beetle]

Tony is probably Spolar's best sales rep in the club because he gives out these load data based on his own Spolar reloader and those new to reloading will likely end up buying one too because it is easier to just copy everything he did.

while I am certainly a big fan of Spolar (having one myself), the "Tony" load can be duplicated on any machine. the machine itself has nothing to do with the load, it's the hull, primer, wad, amount of shot, and amount of powder.

Even if you say to duplicate Tony's load use Spolar bushing #XYZ, it still doesn't matter as Spolar uses the same bushings as Hornady, Ponsness Warren, and RCBS. In fact I don't recommend just going by bushing alone as powder density can vary from lot to lot.

but you should still get a spolar because they are awesome

[Jet Setter]

Holy crap that's a shoulder killer. I'm at 1oz at 1200fps.

My buddy shoots 3/4oz at 1300fps, and they're soft.

Fortunately, it feels soft to me - probably because of my O/U. I am OK with 1200 fps but really struggle with 1145 fps.