Shorty shells for clay/trap shooting?

[bigbearbear]

Has anyone tried these short shells for clay shooting?

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/federal-shorty-shotgun-shells

A friend joined me for trap shooting yesterday and he brought some of these for us to try. They are VERY expensive but he gave me 5 shells to try for trap shooting. Out from a O/U shotgun, they literally has zero recoil and the first time I shot them I nearly dropped my gun because I was anticipating a little push back from the gun.

Still, quite fun to play with. Managed to hit 4 shots out of 5. I'm thinking they'll be fantastic for new shooters to play with.

[meno377]

Has anyone tried these short shells for clay shooting?

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/federal-shorty-shotgun-shells

A friend joined me for trap shooting yesterday and he brought some of these for us to try. They are VERY expensive but he gave me 5 shells to try for trap shooting. Out from a O/U shotgun, they literally has zero recoil and the first time I shot them I nearly dropped my gun because I was anticipating a little push back from the gun.

Still, quite fun to play with. Managed to hit 4 shots out of 5. I'm thinking they'll be fantastic for new shooters to play with.

They're buck shot. Can't use them in sporting clays, trap nor skeet. EDIT: Any private clubhouse that hosts tournaments who allow the pubic to shoot on their grounds.

[BajaJames83]

federal does make a 8 Shot shortie but its kinda cost prohibitive when 2-3/4 is cheaper.

[NoHeavyHitter]

I have pretty much exactly the same shells and love them because they're so CHEAP!

$5 for a box of 25 on sale - but when they arrive, they arrive at standard length for dove loads. I just chop them off with a shell-chopper, replace the shot cup with a shorter one and replace shot using an over-shot card punched from beer carton and apply a roll crimp using a drill. I also sometime recast the shot as slugs using the Lee 7/8oz key-drive slug with a heavy nitro-card beneath for short slugs that don't "beat you up so bad".

A good replacement wad to consider is the Claybuster CB1138-12 for 12ga loads.

I do NOT recommend doing this with any kind of heavy load, only target or dove loads. reducing the shot column height in a magnum shell could lead to dangerous over-pressure.

Why should there be a premium for a shell that actually uses less material to produce?

[BOBGBA]

They're buck shot. Can't use them in sporting clays, trap nor skeet. EDIT: Any private clubhouse that hosts tournaments who allow the pubic to shoot on their grounds.

The link in his unedited post shows that they are #8.

[meno377]

The link in his unedited post shows that they are #8.

I saw that, but after looking around I also saw they said buckshot. However I'm sure there is birdshot available. But will clubhouses accept shorter than 2 3/4 12 gauge shells?

[bigbearbear]

I saw that, but after looking around I also saw they said buckshot. However I'm sure there is birdshot available. But will clubhouses accept shorter than 2 3/4 shells?

Generally, clay shooting ranges will post the maximum load you can use (e.g. #7.5 shot loaded with 3 DRAM) but they will not care if you use a smaller one. Some folks shot their small little .410 bore shotguns too.

[BajaJames83]

I have pretty much exactly the same shells and love them because they're so CHEAP!

$5 for a box of 25 on sale - but when they arrive, they arrive at standard length for dove loads. I just chop them off with a shell-chopper, replace the shot cup with a shorter one and replace shot using an over-shot card punched from beer carton and apply a roll crimp using a drill. I also sometime recast the shot as slugs using the Lee 7/8oz key-drive slug with a heavy nitro-card beneath for short slugs that don't "beat you up so bad".

A good replacement wad to consider is the Claybuster CB1138-12 for 12ga loads.

I do NOT recommend doing this with any kind of heavy load, only target or dove loads. reducing the shot column height in a magnum shell could lead to dangerous over-pressure.

Why should there be a premium for a shell that actually uses less material to produce?

if you dont mind me asking why do you do that? I think its kinda interesting but is there a specific reason?

[JagerDog]

I have pretty much exactly the same shells and love them because they're so CHEAP!

$5 for a box of 25 on sale - but when they arrive, they arrive at standard length for dove loads. I just chop them off with a shell-chopper, replace the shot cup with a shorter one and replace shot using an over-shot card punched from beer carton and apply a roll crimp using a drill. I also sometime recast the shot as slugs using the Lee 7/8oz key-drive slug with a heavy nitro-card beneath for short slugs that don't "beat you up so bad".

A good replacement wad to consider is the Claybuster CB1138-12 for 12ga loads.

I do NOT recommend doing this with any kind of heavy load, only target or dove loads. reducing the shot column height in a magnum shell could lead to dangerous over-pressure.

Why should there be a premium for a shell that actually uses less material to produce?

Why would you so rework a factory shell when you could accomplish the same for less by starting from scratch?

Reducing payload won't increase pressure, but it quite readily will get you out of the happy spot for the given powder, causing erratic/poor performance.

[NoHeavyHitter]

if you dont mind me asking why do you do that? I think its kinda interesting but is there a specific reason?

Two reasons actually.. First, I can get unlimited amounts of shotgun shells for free that have "used up" fold crimps. I just deprime and re-size the primer pocket and cut the shell to length before running the all-plastic ones through the laundry (in a mesh garment bag). They come out looking like brand-new!

The original impetus behind the idea came from my Keltec KSG since it can handle even the smallest of shells. By making my shells just a bit longer, I can get them to feed reliably in my other pump-shotguns (that won't feed Aguilas). The reduction in length is the best way to increase load capacity. Making my own loads, I'm far better able to get performance that exceeds factory short-shells.

Lastly, (OK, it's 3 reasons ), I enjoy reloading metallic cartridges and got hooked on loading shot-shells because my aging hands find then easier to work with. So yeah - for me it's FUN! I also really enjoy all of the testing.

[BajaJames83]

Two reasons actually.. First, I can get unlimited amounts of shotgun shells for free that have "used up" fold crimps. I just deprime and re-size the primer pocket and cut the shell to length before running the all-plastic ones through the laundry (in a mesh garment bag). They come out looking like brand-new!

The original impetus behind the idea came from my Keltec KSG since it can handle even the smallest of shells. By making my shells just a bit longer, I can get them to feed reliably in my other pump-shotguns (that won't feed Aguilas). The reduction in length is the best way to increase load capacity. Making my own loads, I'm far better able to get performance that exceeds factory short-shells.

Lastly, (OK, it's 3 reasons ), I enjoy reloading metallic cartridges and got hooked on loading shot-shells because my aging hands find then easier to work with. So yeah - for me it's FUN! I also really enjoy all of the testing.

that changes things when you get them for free.
I am a huge reloader but dont load 12ga as of yet as the time/ cost isnt much of a savings for me.

[NoHeavyHitter]

Why would you so rework a factory shell when you could accomplish the same for less by starting from scratch?

Reducing payload won't increase pressure, but it quite readily will get you out of the happy spot for the given powder, causing erratic/poor performance.

Reworking new shells is a quick and easy way for a newcomer to decide whether getting into reloading is right for them by only spending ~$50 on tools.

I started out that way, but enjoy it so much that I bought all of the tools for reloading shotshells.

As for performance, you clearing do not understand. The warning that I give involves NOT reducing the payload. I'm altering column height by using a super-short CB-1138 wad. I'm using the same payload and powder charge with a wad that has less cushion. These changes affect felt recoil, not performance. Go back and re-read the post and yould find the only major change I make to payload is to ocasionally change 7/8oz of #8 shot into a 7/8oz slug. Since my shotgun is blind, it doesn't know shot from slug..

[NoHeavyHitter]

that changes things when you get them for free.
I am a huge reloader but dont load 12ga as of yet as the time/ cost isnt much of a savings for me.

For the cost of a 12ga roll-crimper and a Lee slug mould, you can turn a $5 box of dove loads into what are essentially "manged recoil" slugs.

Once you start pricing slugs vs. birdshot loads, it will make lots of sense. But that's just me because I really enjoy shooting slugs. I probably have the most fun of all with wax slugs because they're so devastating to items they hit.

[Arrieta578]

[Arrieta578]

Here is an article from the Shooting Sportsman on the 2” game gun.

https://shootingsportsman.com/short-shell-12-2-guns/