Shotgun Shot - What Size Is Best?

[Whip Assalot]

I've been reloading 7.5 shot in the past. It is always served me well and it is what was recommended to me by other cowboys that matches. 

 

I'm running into a little snag, as most retailers in my area are out of stock and only have 8 shot.

 

Is there a big difference between 7.5 and 8 shot with most matches?

[doc roy l. pain]

At our distances, an ounce of shot is an ounce of shot. No noticeable differences at all. 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Look for reclaimed shot.

[Sheriff Dill]

I’ve been getting reclaimed shot from The Lead Guys $105 for 50lbs shipped. Size 7.5-9. Works great 

[Jeb Stuart #65654]

1 hour ago, Whip Assalot said:

I've been reloading 7.5 shot in the past. It is always served me well and it is what was recommended to me by other cowboys that matches. 

 

I'm running into a little snag, as most retailers in my area are out of stock and only have 8 shot.

 

Is there a big difference between 7.5 and 8 shot with most matches?

Any shot size #4 and smaller is legal.  Almost no difference between 7.5 and 8

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

There is no real big difference in shot between # 7.5 and # 8, especially (as mentioned) at our distances.  More important is the delivery, especially if running All Brass Hulls.  A good "shot cup" is a must.  If you contemplate using reclaimed shot, a good Shot Cup is absolutely necessary for the preservation of your barrels.  Again, as previously mentioned, an ounce of shot on the target is an ounce of shot regardless of shot size.  Remembering, you do gotta hit the during (durn Otto, durn) target regardless 🤪

Edited Thursday at 04:36 PM by Colorado Coffinmaker
I positively HATE Otto

[Eyesa Horg]

I use mostly #8 and have used 7.5 when 8 wasn't available. Ellie shoots a 3/4oz. load and I a 7/8 oz load and the targets fall if we do our part! But what you can find. Just my opinion but 4 & 6 would likely have more splashback. Don't use anything that is plated.

[Slow Poke]

I will be honest I run the cheapest stuff I can find weather its 7s, 8s, or 9 shot. Our distance on shotgun targets are now far and most of my reloads are made so my daughter could shoot a 12 ga when she was 10 and considerably more recoil sensitive. Meaning the are extremely light, I only use 3/4oz of lead.

[WindyCity Red]

2 hours ago, Whip Assalot said:

I've been reloading 7.5 shot in the past. It is always served me well and it is what was recommended to me by other cowboys that matches. 

 

I'm running into a little snag, as most retailers in my area are out of stock and only have 8 shot.

 

Is there a big difference between 7.5 and 8 shot with most matches?

Little less recoil with #8. More BBs for flyers.  😆

Edited Tuesday at 08:39 PM by WindyCity Red

[WindyCity Red]

1 hour ago, Eyesa Horg said:

I use mostly #8 and have used 7.5 when 8 wasn't available. Ellie shoots a 3/4oz. load and I a 7/8 oz load and the targets fall if we do our part! But what you can find. Just my opinion but 4 & 6 would likely have more splashback. Don't use anything that is plated.

4S not legal in SASS.  FYI

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

Buy the #8, load and shoot.

Edited Tuesday at 09:03 PM by Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971

[Jeb Stuart #65654]

29 minutes ago, WindyCity Red said:

4S not legal in SASS.  FYI

Better check page #27 of the shooters handbook, #4 shot is legal

 

[Eyesa Horg]

Never experienced anyone using it however! 

Also don't believe 8s have less recoil than 7.5s. An ounce is an ounce, or 7/8 in my case. 😉

[Eyesa Horg]

58 minutes ago, WindyCity Red said:

4S not legal in SASS.  FYI

#4 and smaller is legal per the Handbook. 😉

[Whip Assalot]

2 hours ago, Eyesa Horg said:

I use mostly #8 and have used 7.5 when 8 wasn't available. Ellie shoots a 3/4oz. load and I a 7/8 oz load and the targets fall if we do our part! But what you can find. Just my opinion but 4 & 6 would likely have more splashback. Don't use anything that is plated.

Any ramifications if I am loading 1 ounce?

[Eyesa Horg]

3 minutes ago, Whip Assalot said:

Any ramifications if I am loading 1 ounce?

Nope! Just a tiny bit more recoil and expense. Knock em down!

[Cypress Sun]

2 hours ago, Jeb Stuart #65654 said:

Any shot size #4 and smaller is legal.  Almost no difference between 7.5 and 8

 

Some clubs only allow #7 and smaller. 

[Jeb Stuart #65654]

5 minutes ago, Cypress Sun said:

 

Some clubs only allow #7 and smaller. 

Correct.   My response was to Windy City Red when he said #4 were not legal

[Rye Miles #13621]

1 hour ago, Whip Assalot said:

Any ramifications if I am loading 1 ounce?

I use 1 oz shot and BTW I believe the LNLR AA’s are #8 shot

Edited Tuesday at 11:11 PM by Rye Miles #13621

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

1 hour ago, Whip Assalot said:

Any ramifications if I am loading 1 ounce?

Go with 3/4oz

[Whip Assalot]

26 minutes ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said:

Go with 3/4oz

I always tell my students to ask "Why.....?"

So please, tell me why? 😁

[El Chapo]

3 hours ago, WindyCity Red said:

4S not legal in SASS.  FYI

Not for WBAS, but legal for CAS.

[Ol Salty Sailor]

20 minutes ago, Whip Assalot said:

I always tell my students to ask "Why.....?"

So please, tell me why? 😁

At 1 oz a 25lb bag of shot will load 400 shells, at 7/8oz 457 and at 3/4 oz 500.  A small savings.

The lighter loads will require a lower powder charge resulting in lower recoil.  This matter to some more than others.

The light loads will do the same job as heavier ones in CAS.

[Whip Assalot]

9 minutes ago, Ol Salty Sailor said:

At 1 oz a 25lb bag of shot will load 400 shells, at 7/8oz 457 and at 3/4 oz 500.  A small savings.

The lighter loads will require a lower powder charge resulting in lower recoil.  This matter to some more than others.

The light loads will do the same job as heavier ones in CAS.

That makes sense, thank you. I do have a 3/4 ounce bar for my MEC Grabber.

 

Do you have a recommended bushing to use for the powder charge?

[Sedalia Dave]

13 minutes ago, Whip Assalot said:

That makes sense, thank you. I do have a 3/4 ounce bar for my MEC Grabber.

 

Do you have a recommended bushing to use for the powder charge?

 

What powder are you using?

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

51 minutes ago, Whip Assalot said:

I always tell my students to ask "Why.....?"

So please, tell me why? 😁

Less recoil and less shot save $$$ in reloading costs.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

1 minute ago, Sedalia Dave said:

 

What powder are you using?

Never/ever trust the MEC bushings to throw what they say they will.

I use and adjustable bar on my 600jr. 

[Ol Salty Sailor]

28 minutes ago, Whip Assalot said:

That makes sense, thank you. I do have a 3/4 ounce bar for my MEC Grabber.

 

Do you have a recommended bushing to use for the powder charge?

For 12ga I load with a 7/8 bar and a #14 bushing, it drops 15.3 gr of Titegroup/High Gun.  

[WindyCity Red]

4 hours ago, Jeb Stuart #65654 said:

Better check page #27 of the shooters handbook, #4 shot is legal

 

Sorry, I  thought nothing bigger than 6. Thanks 

[Whip Assalot]

1 hour ago, Sedalia Dave said:

 

What powder are you using?

Using Hodgdon Perfect Pattern 

[Whip Assalot]

42 minutes ago, Ol Salty Sailor said:

For 12ga I load with a 7/8 bar and a #14 bushing, it drops 15.3 gr of Titegroup/High Gun.  

Hold the horses....Can I use Titegroup powder, the same I use to reload my .38 rounds to also load my shotgun???

[Ol Salty Sailor]

41 minutes ago, Whip Assalot said:

Hold the horses....Can I use Titegroup powder, the same I use to reload my .38 rounds to also load my shotgun???

Yes you can, In fact Hodgen markets the same powder as both Tite Group and High Gun.  Same powder two target (no pun intended) demographic.

[Whip Assalot]

4 minutes ago, Ol Salty Sailor said:

Yes you can, In fact Hodgen markets the same powder as both Tite Group and High Gun.  Same powder two target (no pun intended) demographic.

Well Darn!!!!

I have about 12 pounds of Titegroup, and JUST TODAY bought a pound of it today!!!

I will be using Titegroup after this pound is done.

Thank you!!!!

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

2 hours ago, Whip Assalot said:

That makes sense, thank you. I do have a 3/4 ounce bar for my MEC Grabber.

 

Do you have a recommended bushing to use for the powder charge?

Refer to the MEC Bushing Chart for an approximation of the needed bushing.  Weigh powder charges to adjust to the needed bushing.  BTW, I like Perfect Pattern for light loads.

[I. M. Crossdraw, SASS# 8321]

I have used from #6 to #9 shots and no difference.