Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 For some time now, I have been shooting #8 shot in my two tuber. Since I am not smart enough to operate a press to reload, I shoot factory ammo. My question, am I missing something by not shooting the larger 7 1/2 shot or maybe the smaller #9 shot. What do ya'll use for shot? I also use it for trap in my 11-87.
Sneaky Gun Runner SASS 79775 Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 I shoot whatever is left on the shelf or what I can borrow from my kid. If all else fails I can tell no difference between 7.5 and 8 size shot. I have never tried 9, like 6 and 4, and have shot a slug as well, but find it very hard to hit quail with em. I hope this leaves you as confused as I found you, but no worse off.
Grizzly Dave Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 I ain't never shot no traps, as I reckon it might break them so they wouldn't catch things as well. It is my understanding that most shotshell payloads are loaded by weight, so the larger the shot, the fewer the number of pellets. For CAS distances I doubt you'd notice a difference between 7 & 1/2, 8, and 9. I have a shotshell press but have yet to reload as scraping up gold dust to buy all the components at once has eluded me thus far. I shoot whatever shot size is in the factory Win AA featherlites I can find to buy.
Holden A. Grudge Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 I haven't started reloading shells yet. (got the press, got the hulls, got the primers, got the wads, got the powder........can't find any shot.......at least at less then cabelas prices) So I shoot 7 1/2 because that is what comes in the STS 's. As has been said, I don't think there is much of a difference in how many pellets you get in an oz of #7 1/2 vs and oz of #8.
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 8's are best for trap, 9's for Skeet. IMHO In SASS, you will never know the diff Heck, I reload 12ga. using reclaimed shot for SASS Cheers, LG
Grizzly Dave Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 ... I hope this leaves you as confused as I found you, but no worse off. That has to be one of the best things I have ever read on the internet!
Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001 Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 BMC You might hit a few more flyers with 9s , unless you are shooting Handi-cap at the 27 ? yd line I think they are too small , I tryed it once and MISSED almost all of em . Not a trap or skeet shooter . At SASS ranges I do not think it matters . CB
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 Howdy Badger. You're not missing anything by not using the smaller shot for CAS or trap. I load my own, but from what I've seen on store shelves, it seems #7 1/2 is most common.
Charlie Whiskers Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 I load mostly reclaimed shot too.There's usually a mix of #6-#9 in that stuff and it all works for what we do,even flyers.I had a bag of #6 that my uncle had given me and mixed that with some new #7 1/2 or #8 shot;that worked too and finally gave me a way of using the #6 up.If finding shot is a problem in your area,check with a trap club and see if anyone there reclaim's shot.Typically you can pick that up for $15-20 for a 25lb bag and it works fine.Ask if it's been cleaned and re-graphited and if it hasn't you'll find small rocks and all kinds of junk in it.That I pass on.but if it's not regraphited,just pick up a small tube of powdered graphite like is used for lock's etc and put a little of that in with the shot and shake it up.Flows fine through my reloader.
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 I like #9. I figure there is a better chance of having that golden pellet that makes "hit" instead of "miss."
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted September 22, 2011 Author Posted September 22, 2011 Well, I thank you all for your replies. I was wondering if the slight difference in the #7 1/2, #8, and #9 shot would have any affect on knocking down the shotgun targets. Apparently not. In my case, hitting the target would probably improve them results some.
Texas Phil Peeno #50923 Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 For some time now, I have been shooting #8 shot in my two tuber. Since I am not smart enough to operate a press to reload, I shoot factory ammo. My question, am I missing something by not shooting the larger 7 1/2 shot or maybe the smaller #9 shot. What do ya'll use for shot? I also use it for trap in my 11-87. Shoot what you are comfortable with for both SASS and trap. I shoot #6 so I can use it for SASS, skeet, dove and turkey. I may go up a little higher for more success with turkey but #6 have worked fine for me.
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted September 22, 2011 Author Posted September 22, 2011 I like #9. I figure there is a better chance of having that golden pellet that makes "hit" instead of "miss." Are you referring to the SASS knockdowns or other venues, like trap or skeet, or birds?
Curley Cole, SASS #56849 Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 I have loaded #8 shot since I started reloading shotshells and just find it a good loading. That being said I have used up about 50# of reclaimed shot from Old Top and it was just as good shootin. You need to cowboy up and get yerself a LeeLoadAll and start loading shotshells. I got one about 5 years ago just to see if I would like it. It is easy as pie to do and I am still usin that Lee (hasn't wore out or broke down yet.) here is a pix of my loading operation. ( I use a folding sawhorse and load where ever I feel like it...) My Loading Table curley
Pack Saddle Slim, SASS #73122 Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 Badger, I don't reload my shotgun shells either. I've tried 7½, 8's and 9's...and it seems that I miss equally with all of them.
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted September 22, 2011 Author Posted September 22, 2011 I have loaded #8 shot since I started reloading shotshells and just find it a good loading. That being said I have used up about 50# of reclaimed shot from Old Top and it was just as good shootin. You need to cowboy up and get yerself a LeeLoadAll and start loading shotshells. I got one about 5 years ago just to see if I would like it. It is easy as pie to do and I am still usin that Lee (hasn't wore out or broke down yet.) here is a pix of my loading operation. ( I use a folding sawhorse and load where ever I feel like it...) My Loading Table curley I have an older MEC that I bought on line about ten years ago. I tried to set it up but never got the right combinations for it. I have a passel of STS hulls, some clays powder and all I need is the right shot columns and settings on the press. I just am not too smart and have never figured it out. When I shoot up all my shells I might try again. Everything works well but the crimp. If I get that down, I am golden. Badger, I don't reload my shotgun shells either. I've tried 7½, 8's and 9's...and it seems that I miss equally with all of them. Yeah, but I bet I can miss gooder than you can.
Noz Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 8's are best for trap, 9's for Skeet. IMHO In SASS, you will never know the diff Heck, I reload 12ga. using reclaimed shot for SASS Cheers, LG +1 and I also use the homemade shot. The reclaimed is considered 6s thru 9s. The homemade I get is about 8s.
Chickahominy Charlie Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 Reclaimed shot? Is that the little buggers that's under my loading table, in the corner of my reload room and under the tumbler from when my shot bottle busted 6 months ago? +whatever on not knowin' the difference for SASS. Heck, if'n ya aim good enough, the wad'll prolly knock the target down (and I've seen this happen with a pard's shotshell when he "forgot" to put shot in it). Chick
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted September 22, 2011 Author Posted September 22, 2011 Okie and Dynamite weight them suckers down. Dang near takes a 105 to knock one over.
Buckshot Frank Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 I have an older MEC that I bought on line about ten years ago. I tried to set it up but never got the right combinations for it. I have a passel of STS hulls, some clays powder and all I need is the right shot columns and settings on the press. I just am not too smart and have never figured it out. When I shoot up all my shells I might try again. Everything works well but the crimp. If I get that down, I am golden. I have been using an old Mec Sizemaster that I bought off of ebay for a few months now. I wasn't getting good crimps until I messed with the wad seating depth setting. Adjust that until it just barely reads on the wad guide gauge when the ram is all the way down. Then make your crimp adjustments. I get great looking crimps now, and it is very consistent.
Curley Cole, SASS #56849 Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 BMC Spend another $40 (get a new Lee from Midway) and I assure you that you can be reloading dang good loads within 1/2 hour of opening the box. Sometimes a "used" loader can frustrate the hell outta ya by missing parts etc. if you are buyin Winchester lites you can pay fer your new loader in about 6months to a year easy.. good luck. curley
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted September 22, 2011 Author Posted September 22, 2011 I am shooting full blown Remmies with 1/18 oz #8. I think will get the press out and dicker with it a bit and see if I can get the thing set correctly. Stand by because I will probably have lots of questions.
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 I like #9. I figure there is a better chance of having that golden pellet that makes "hit" instead of "miss." Are you referring to the SASS knockdowns or other venues, like trap or skeet, or birds? Well when you get to the shoots that don't have knockdowns and you really hope and pray that two of the spotters will say "hit" you just need more shot. #9 does it for me.
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 Are you referring to the SASS knockdowns or other venues, like trap or skeet, or birds? At CAS distances, the shot doesn't spread much, so the size of the pellet is irrelevant. You're still hitting (or missing) the target with the same total weight and volume of shot. As distance increases and the shot spreads out, you'll have a few more pellets per cubic foot with smaller shot than larger shot (assuming the choke stays the same). However, since the individual pellets weigh less, they don't contain as much energy as the larger ones. You might hit the clay target or bird with that "golden pellet", but it might not go down. Your chances of knocking down your target or prey increase with the size of the shot. The short story is that good aim matters more than the size of the shot.
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted September 22, 2011 Author Posted September 22, 2011 At CAS distances, the shot doesn't spread much, so the size of the pellet is irrelevant. You're still hitting (or missing) the target with the same total weight and volume of shot. As distance increases and the shot spreads out, you'll have a few more pellets per cubic foot with smaller shot than larger shot (assuming the choke stays the same). However, since the individual pellets weigh less, they don't contain as much energy as the larger ones. You might hit the clay target or bird with that "golden pellet", but it might not go down. Your chances of knocking down your target or prey increase with the size of the shot. The short story is that good aim matters more than the size of the shot. Ah Ha! The missing ingredient.
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 Ah Ha! The missing ingredient. As we have all experienced!
Holden A. Grudge Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 I am shooting full blown Remmies with 1/18 oz #8. I think will get the press out and dicker with it a bit and see if I can get the thing set correctly. Stand by because I will probably have lots of questions. Well there is your problem right there. Try 1 1/8 oz. One eighteenth of an ounce is hardly any shot no matter what size.
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted September 22, 2011 Author Posted September 22, 2011 Well there is your problem right there. Try 1 1/8 oz. One eighteenth of an ounce is hardly any shot no matter what size. Are you telling me that SIZE MATTERS? Oh crap. Now what? I think I may have found part of my problem. I am loading 1 1/8 oz shot in a Remington TGT wad. It says it is good for 1 oz and 1 1/8 oz. Maybe if I change to one ounce shot and Titegroup powder it will help some. Whatyathunk?
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 I think I may have found part of my problem. I am loading 1 1/8 oz shot in a Remington TGT wad. It says it is good for 1 oz and 1 1/8 oz. Maybe if I change to one ounce shot and Titegroup powder it will help some. Whatyathunk? Can't tell if you're funnin' with us or not, Badger. If ya are, please ignore this post. Depends on the hull. What kind are you using? The thing with shot shells is you should only use the exact components listed in the recipe. No substitutions allowed unless specifically noted in the manual. If you'd like, tell me the components and powder you have & I'll PM you a recipe.
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted September 22, 2011 Author Posted September 22, 2011 Not funning. I read on the Hodgdon site that it calls for the Tigegroup and 1 oz. I do not recall where I got the 1 1/8 and clays from but it was a manual. It specified the TGT 12. Well, I am going to try it.
Okie Sawbones, SASS #77381 Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 ... am I missing something... The boat.
Curley Cole, SASS #56849 Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 Badger I didn't notice in yer first post it was crimps crimping your style. First off, shotshells are very size sensitive. When I load for the fl's I use everything that matches. wad...grey 7/8oz Winchester shot and powder have to match Cuz in the end if everything don't come up just right at the top...well it is like tryin to close a shoebox with 2 pair of shoes in it...it aint gonna work. also, I don't know about the mec but with the crimp fingers on the Lee, you have to line up one of the folds with the front of the press otherwise the crimp comes out all cockeyed...might look into that possibility. keep at it it will work. You will save money and have fine custom loads..Then you can box them up in fine custom boxes like I do (see pix) Curleys Custom Loads go0d luck curley
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted September 22, 2011 Author Posted September 22, 2011 Thanks for the information. You too, Okie. I have a half dozen things in the way right now, but I am going to order the bushings now. I have a one ounce bar for the press. Now I have two bars.
Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001 Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 BMC Only two ??? Heck , I have 6 MECs set up and porbley that many or more shot bars in the cabnet . What bushings do you need , I might have them extra ? CB
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 Not funning. I read on the Hodgdon site that it calls for the Tigegroup and 1 oz. I do not recall where I got the 1 1/8 and clays from but it was a manual. It specified the TGT 12. Well, I am going to try it. There are only two recipes in my Hodgdon book for Titegroup, TGT wads and 1 oz. loads in Remington and Winchester hulls. There are more recipes for Clays and those hulls in the same book at various loadings. I use 7/8 oz. of shot with Winchester AA, WAA12L (gray) wads and Clays. That's more than enough for CAS knockdowns (at least it is around here!). If you haven't been there already, lots of good info on Hodgdon's site. Good luck!
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.