12 ga light field loads ?

[NCMom]

Back in the mid 1960's my father bought "me" a used 20 gauge Ithaca shotgun. That is what I grew up shooting. Turned out to be his favorite skeet gun, so didn't leave home with me. Several years ago, hubby and I bought a 12 ga Mossberg.
At the time, I stocked up on what the gunshop owner recommended, which were Sellier & Bellot light field loads. That shop is no longer around and my shells are about gone. All the info I have is that the shells are marked as 3 1/4-1 1/8oz-6
and the box says shot plomb (plumb?) #6 W 209 SB. We went to a gun show this week end and didn't seem to find anything comparable. Could someone please tell me a readily found, inexpensive practice round that would be similar?
Many thanks in advance for any help you have to offer.

 

[220_Swift]

I really wouldn't classify that as a light field load.

It is

3 1/4 Dram
1 1/8oz of #6 shot

Winchester, Remington, and Rio have similar loads. You can view them on there respetive websites.

 

[rantingredneck]

What he ^ said.

Walmart carries Winchester, Remington, and Federal promo packs in 3 1/4 dram 1 1/8 oz loads. May find them in #6's but 7 1/2's and 8's are more common in the promo packs.

 

[NCMom]

OK, I guess I didn't even know enough about what I was asking to ask the correct question!
I don't know what qualifies as a light field load. That is just how the shells I have used are labeled.
When I go to websites looking, I am confused by the information given or not given. I guess what it amounts to is that I am used to shooting a 20 gauge but for now am having to settle for a 12 gauge and am trying to figure out what is the best thing to buy to practice with. The shells described in my original post are what I know I can comfortably and accurately handle.
I only practice a few times a year to stay familiar with what I am doing. Maybe if someone explains what the numbers mean, I would know more what to look or ask for. I would rather show my ignorance here than in a store.
Which of the specifications are more important for what I am looking for?
I have what would probably be considered only a very basic knowledge of guns. Have used our shotgun to rid our creek of a snake who had taken up residency in the dam our son built to create a swimming hole. No, I don't routinely shoot snakes, but this one was getting aggressive toward the kids playing in the creek. Carry and am proficient with a S&W 3913LS.
I am 53, 5'8", average build with some arthritis so the 12 gauge can be a bit much without the correct shells. They will be used in a Mossberg model 590.
Hopefully not too much information and enough to give you a better idea of what my needs are in 12 gauge ammo.
Again, many thanks for any information you can offer.

 

[gp911]

A good gauge of how light a load is is how much shot is in it. The 1-1/8 on your box is 1-1/8oz of shot. A light load typically has 1oz or 7/8oz of shot, although a 1-1/8oz load may not kick much more depending on other factors. The dram measurement is also a factor but I just go by the shot amount as the dram measurement is a bit fuzzy and the lower-payload loads in 1oz and 7/8 aren't typically loaded "hot", as it were.

Others should be along soon to clarify this more, I suspect.

gp911

 

[sargenv]

Actually, compared to the standard field load of the time, which was either
3 1/4 - 1 1/4 - 6 or 3 3/4 - 1 1/4 -4, 5, o6 6. The load described as 3 1/4 - 1 1/8 - 6 really is a light field load. The 3 1/4 - 1 - 6 or 7.5 has become the light field load of today. It will have lighter recoil than the one she described by a little bit, but the shot will move about 45 fps faster.

2 1/2 - 1 1/8 = 1090 fps - Extra light recoil target load
2 3/4 - 1 1/8 = 1155 fps - Light recoil target load
3 - 1 1/8 = 1200 fps - heavy target load
3 1/4 - 1 1/8 = 1255 fps - Light field load (old), Handicap Trap load
3 1/4 - 1 = 1290 fps - Light field load (common now)
3 1/4 - 1 1/4 = 1220 fps - Standard field load
3 3/4 - 1 1/4 = 1330 fps - Heavy field load
MAX - 1 1/2 = 1275 fps - Magnum field load

These are all pretty common loads. I would reccomend that you get the 3 1/4 - 1 - 7.5, 8, or 9's. I found a local place that sold a case of 250 for $49.99. That's about the least expensive you'll find these days. I know winchester made a run of 3 1/4 dram - 7/8 ounce loads some time ago and they had light recoil which is good for a pump gun but would not reliably cycle a semi-auto. If you need further clarification, feel free to pm me.

 

[green country shooter]

The "dram equivalent" number is the amount of powder. In the case of the shells you were using it was 3 1/4.

The "1 1/8" number is the amount of shot.

"Plomb" is french for lead. It's telling you that the shot is made of lead and not steel or bismuth.

A light target load would be 2 3/4 dram and maybe 1 ounce of shot. Do not confuse the 2 3/4 or 3 dram number with the shell length, which also can be 2 3/4 or 3. You want 2 3/4 shell length if you are looking for light target loads.

When I was testing a new shotgun for reliability I found some 7/8 ounce 12 gauge loads at Cabelas. Those were very light. I understand that's what they use in international skeet and trap to make it harder, since you have less shot to break the target.

 

[NCMom]

WOW! You guys are great. Thank you so much for all the wonderful help.
I feel like I can now go online or down to local store and get exactly what I need. Can't tell ya'll how lost I have felt since our favorite gun shop closed down and the internet is not a real replacement, but it sure is nice to know there is a place to come to get good solid information.
Again, many thanks!

 

[sargenv]

I understand that's what they use in international skeet and trap to make it harder, since you have less shot to break the target.

Actually, I think the reason they use the lighter shot sharge is due to the light fast pattern that they get out of them. International skeet has that clay bird moving considerably faster than American skeet. A light fast load means that you have faster follow ups for that equally fast 2nd clay target. I've shot my share of 25 straight with the lighter faster 7/8 ounce loads and can tell you that I actually do better and get fewer recoil induced headaches from the lighter faster shotshell loads over the "standard" 3 dram - 1 1/8 ounce target loads I used to use.

I mean really.. 7/8 of 9's is still 500 ish pellets. 1 1/8 is merely 650 ish pellets and a bit more recoil given the same dram equiv and lower velocity.

 

[Dave McCracken]

NCMom, you just made my morning better. Thanks.

We started THR to help folks. It's nice to know we are.

7/8 oz loads were mandated to make things a trifle harder. It didn't work, scores rose rather than fell. Modern ammo with plastic one piece shot cups with collapsible sections so improve patterns that the more efficient shorter shot column becomes in many cases a better load.

A current 7/8 oz load may have less pellets in the hull but more on the target. And even old men with arthritis shoot them well.

 

[green country shooter]

Thanks, sargenv and Dave for the info on international trap. I've never shot it and I was just guessing.