#7 1/2, #8 and #9 shot

[ArchAngelCD]

I came into a large ammo can full of Remington STS 12ga shotgun ammo and I have questions because there are 3 different shot sizes in the can. (14 boxes to be exact)

What are the best uses for #7 1/2 shot?
What are the best uses for #8 shot?
What are the best uses for #9 shot?

If they cross over list them all please. I have done plenty of handgun and rifle shooting but not so much with shotguns.

Which is best for breaking Clays from a manual thrower?

Thanks in advance...

 

[rcmodel]

7 1/2 or 8 are perfect for clays.

#9 not so much, as they don't carry enough energy per pellet to reliably break clays except at pretty close range where the cloud of small shot carries a lot on energy.

They would work perfectly fine for hand thrown clays though.

They do make a heck of a good small game load for quail or rabbits in the brush though.

rc

 

[Bobson]

I prefer #7.5 for clay pigeons, with #8 being my second choice. I really don't use #9 for anything. Hand-thrown clays in the backyard would be fine, if that's something you could do.

When I'm hunting rabbit, I use #5 or #6, so there's less shot to pick out of the meat. Haven't bitten down on any lead yet - so far, so good.

 

[jmr40]

7.5 and 8 are pretty close. I have a slight preference for 7.5's, but will use 8's for most of the same stuff. Never used 9's, but would think they are borderline too small for most of my uses. Probably fine for informal practice.

 

[btg3]

#9 won more than a few skeet championships for my dad and me. It also brought home the dove limit on a regular basis.

As you shoot your stash, you might consider collecting your hulls for reloading or to sell to a reloader.

 

[slickracer]

Not a thing wrong with 9's. Anything inside of 25 yards will be smoke.

 

[Armored farmer]

I have done a bunch of clay shooting, hunting, and reloading. I have used them all and really don't think anyone would notice much difference until you start shooting from 25yds or so on out. # 7 1/2 will reach on out a bit further. I always stuck with 7 1/2 for everything. No complaints.

 

[oneounceload]

9s work great for skeet and sporting clay targets under 25 yards
8s work great for everything
7.5s work great for targets over 45 yards and rabbit target

STS hulls are worth about .05 each if you do not reload

 

[PapaG]

9s are for skeet. 7 1/2 is my go to for trap unless shooting doubles, then it is 8 for first shot, 7 1/2 for second. I also use 7 1/2 for handicap beyond 23 yards.
(94% average on handicap, 96 % on 16 yard, 90% on doubles at present).

 

[huntsman]

I used to use #7-1/2 for grouse after the woodcock left #8 for woodcock and grouse when the leaves were still on and no use for #9. FWIW I always used the hunting loads for clays because you practice with what you hunt with.

 

[243winxb]

The choke is most important. IC for close, Mod for mid and Full for 40+ yards.

 

[wleggart]

pattern before penetration

I have hunted for more than 60 years, and I can say that the pattern fails before the penetration is insufficient. Choose your gun and choke first. Then put whatever comes to hand in the gun. I remember a pheasant guide once telling me that my Browning O/U IC/Mod loaded with AA #8 pidgeon loads wouldn't reliably kill pheasant. He showed me his full choke 870 and the 3" #4 Fiouchhi shells . He changed his tune shortly when the pheasant started boiling out of the meandering stream bed and crossing the road into standing corn The Browning and me where between the road and corn. It rained pheasant for awhile.

 

[MtnCreek]

#9's are great on a skeet range. Even in 28ga a good hit makes a black cloud. A few years ago I bought some Fiocchi #9's to dove hunt and was really disappointed in them. After knocking feathers off a few birds, I had to limit my range a good bit compared to my normal 7.5/8 shot range.

 

[243winxb]

#9's to dove hunt

Yes, not a good choice for the long shots.

 

[oneounceload]

Choosing a choke first and then choosing ammo is cart before the horse.
Whatever loads is chosen needs to be tested to see what pattern it throws .
Relying on an etched description on the side of the choke is like shooting blind as you have NO idea what it is doing in YOUR gun.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Thank you everyone, I have the info I need thanks to you all...

 

[USAF_Vet]

I'd be interested in the hulls if you don't reload.