KatfishKid Posted January 3 Posted January 3 I was going through my shotgun shell inventory recently and started sorting things out. After separating my steel loads, heavy pheasant loads, and general-purpose copper-plated upland shells, I found I still had several hundred rounds of what I’d consider "light lead loads." Most of these are AA "Heavy," "Super Handicap," and the standard "Walmart special" trap/skeet shells in 7.5 and 8 shot. I know low recoil loads are widely recommended for cowboy action shooting, and my long-term plan is to use AA LRLN or Remington STS low recoil shells. However, before purchasing more shells, I’d like to work through my current inventory. Aside from increased recoil, are there any downsides to using these heavier loads in matches as long as they shuck smoothly? Curious to hear your thoughts! Quote
Fretless Posted January 3 Posted January 3 They're louder. The extra recoil will make it just that much harder to acquire the next target. Felt recoil is more noticeable when you are shooting 4, 5, or 6 in a row as fast as you can compared to shooting one or two at clays. But worst of all will be all the other shooters throughout every match telling you to get you some feather lights, or offering you some lighter loads to use. 6 Quote
Jack Spade Posted January 3 Posted January 3 There tends to be more shot bounce back off the targets with heavier loads. 12 Quote
Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L Posted January 3 Posted January 3 ^^^^^^ What Fretless and Jack Spade said ^^^^^ 3 Quote
Leroy Luck Posted January 3 Posted January 3 And depending on what shotgun you are using, the heavier loads CAN lead to cracked stocks. CAN doesn’t mean they always will. 2 Quote
Eyesa Horg Posted January 3 Posted January 3 And be sure those heavier loads are NOT plated or steel. Splashback from heavy loads can be an issue for the peanut gallery. Also harder on the targets. 3 Quote
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted January 3 Posted January 3 If your shooting "Non-Reactive" shotgun targets, splash-back can be easily eliminated. If your shooting "Reactive" targets, ie: Poppers, splash-back will happen regardless of "load." The only down side to the OP's "Target" rounds is the unnecessary recoil. Loud?? You do wear "ear plugs" right?? 3 Quote
KatfishKid Posted January 3 Author Posted January 3 1 hour ago, Eyesa Horg said: And be sure those heavier loads are NOT plated or steel. Splashback from heavy loads can be an issue for the peanut gallery. Also harder on the targets. They're not. These are all loads that I've deemed too lightweight for bird hunting or don't feed well in my semi-autos. The majority being 1 1/8 oz lead 8 shot loads which are likely around the 1200 fps range. Anything that's steel, bismuth, TSS or copper plated is stored separately for hunting purposes only. 4 Quote
Eyesa Horg Posted January 3 Posted January 3 You may have extraction issues with the Walmart specials as they usually have steel heads and don't shrink back enough for smooth extraction and shucking. YMMV 1 Quote
KatfishKid Posted January 3 Author Posted January 3 26 minutes ago, Eyesa Horg said: You may have extraction issues with the Walmart specials as they usually have steel heads and don't shrink back enough for smooth extraction and shucking. YMMV Good point. My Benelli and my browning autos hate them. About the only shotguns that I have that will run them reliably are the pumps and a Winchester SX3. Don't know that I've ever tried them in a break action shotgun. Quote
Kid Rich Posted January 3 Posted January 3 A couple years ago it was really difficult to find LNLR shells. Even now a lot of shooters are using Gun Clubs usually 1 to 1.5 oz shot and 1145 to 1200. Gun clubs are steel base but are really good for reloading. Even after 4 or 5 reloads on them Shirttails SKB still shucks them easily. AA LNLR's are not as good for as many reloads and the plastic doesn't always hold its shape as well kR 3 Quote
J.S. Sooner, SASS #73526 Posted January 5 Posted January 5 They work great for stubborn knockdowns. I’d save some for stages with difficult KD’s. 1 Quote
watab kid Posted January 5 Posted January 5 go with the lightest target loads you can find or have , keep your game loads for hunting and start loading light for this game , Quote
Dusty Devil Dale Posted January 5 Posted January 5 On 1/3/2025 at 9:03 AM, Eyesa Horg said: You may have extraction issues with the Walmart specials as they usually have steel heads and don't shrink back enough for smooth extraction and shucking. YMMV Only with sxs. A 97 will clear them OK. 2 Quote
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