Ammo for Clays Shooting

[elktrout]

Years ago, I formerly loaded a lot of 12 gauge AA hulls with 7-1/2 shot for casual clays shooting. I still have my MEC 9000G press, but the cost to reload today is nearly the same as factory loads. So, why bother?

Which factory loads are typically the best for: 1) Trap 2) Skeet 3) Sporting Clays?

Is reloading capable of improving the performance of the better factory loads for formal clays shooting?

Thanks.

 

[entropy]

I run Win. AA Super Handicap 1 1/8 oz. 7.5's at all yardages for Trap. As I posted in your other thread, I haven't shot a lot of Skeet lately, but used Win. AA 1oz. 9's when I did. For Sporting Clays, I use Win. AA's 1 1/8 7.5's Sporting Clays load @1300 fps. Too fast for ATA Trap, but they knock 'em down well in SC. Rem Gun Clubs are good in O/U's but have a steel base, and I do not trust steel bases in pumps or semis.
You can tailor the load if you reload; drop it down for recoil, or up for skirting the rules hot loads.
I'm saving my hulls, and dusting the MEC off, I might give reloading them a try again. (After a 25 year hiatus)

 

[kudu]

The best of the best is Win AA, and Remington Premier series ammo. That said at $10+ a box for the elite I like Remington gun clubs at about $5.50, 1oz if I can find them. I reload the gun club shells and they do quite nicely. Federal Top Gun target loads are decent also. I have found reloading at 7/8oz slowed down to about 1170fps hangs the shot together and crushes targets. They just barely will work the action in my 11-87 auto loader when I use it.

 

[Random 8]

Depends on how serious you intend to shoot clays. I can duplicate the AA, Gold Medal, Remington Premier etc for around $5 or less per box, matching the price of the bargain shells. If you're sticking to bargain shells, I've found the Remington Gun Club or Fiochi (don't remember the trade name) to be the best. I like 1 1/8 oz 2 3/4DE for handicap trap and long sporting clays targets. 1oz of 8s for everything else.

What I can do with reloading, is tune my velocities to levels generally not obtainable in factory loads. As someone posted above, I can softball my 1 oz loads to reduce recoil, I think they hold a tighter pattern. I also just find it to be an enjoyable hobby to use up down time in the winter and I enjoy busting clays with my own loads.

 

[George P]

How simple do you want to keep things? How are you from a recoil standpoint? Will you use your reloads only for practice and factory for competition?
I can reload a 3/4oz 12 gauge load for $3.75/box by buying components in bulk. Great light recoil load lets me practice a LOT without fatigue; also a load not available from any maker.
If you're wanting a basic load for all 3, 1oz of 8s running about 1200 will work for everything.

 

[Armored farmer]

I focus on 16yd trap. One of my local clubs has reclaimed shot. It is clean and cheap. $1/lb. I can hold down my cost that way.

I feel my reloads are just as good as new shells and i have confidence in them.

I like to reload.

 

[dieselchief]

you have to shoot your gun with different loads. my super x one trap gun with its trap full choke designation shoots way to tight with rem premier or aa handicap. rio branded ammo suits my gun at the 16 yard line. sporting clays in the citori> haven't found a magic load yet.....

 

[Sappyg2.0]

I'm the least likely person so do anything 'formal' but the best all around factory loads I've shot were 1 1/8 oz AAs at 1145 fps. Gunclubs are quite good but to me there is just a bit more pop to them. Clevers aren't bad but I have scene more duds with that brand than any other.

I dont bother reloading for trap really. There is not much of a benefit and little to no savings over what can be bought ready made IMO. The same could be said for SC. 1 1/8 oz loads rule these games and shot is a large cost per shell.

For me, skeet loads are worth the effort. Buying in bulk gets me down to $3.75 a box and I'm shooting a 7/8 oz load that cant be purchased readily from the factory offerings on a consistant basis at twice the price.

 

[George P]

You'd be surprised that most SC shooters are moving down to 1oz loads, especially those who also shoot FITASC sporting where 1oz is the max allowed. Makes ammo easy.

 

[elktrout]

Armored Farmer: Looks like you have a supply of the old style AA hulls. I have about 500 of them still loaded. I have looked at the new hulls that AA factory loads are in, and they look much different. Are any of you using the new style hulls? Do they load as well as the old ones? Are they as durable? Are the old ones available anywhere?

Your collective responses made me realize that I need to crank up the old press. The ability to load really mild loads would be less expensive and less punishing on the courses. I am with you Armored Farmer. I like to load also. Thanks, everyone.

 

[kudu]

Over the last 2 weeks I have loaded almost 1500 12 gauge hulls with the 7/8oz shot load of 8.5's, 400 20 gauge loads of 3/4oz of 8.5's and 300 .410 shells with 1/2oz of 8.5's. My problem is that I ran out of 8.5 shot and the club I get it at is also out, back to 8's. I ran my stock pile of wads down and had to break into my last keg of American Select powder. Will have to make a big order to Powder Valley this fall. I still have a large garbage bag of the old style AA 12 gauge hulls that I dip into on occasion to make up a specialty load.

 

[eastbank]

I like federal 1 oz-#8 factory bought at Walmart for 4.74 and have shot many 25,s and 50,s from the 16yd line and 42-50 at sporting clays. that's about the best I can do at being just short of 75. I have two mec 9000 G,s and lots of supplies for when the cost of shells go up.

 

[George P]

Armored Farmer: Looks like you have a supply of the old style AA hulls. I have about 500 of them still loaded. I have looked at the new hulls that AA factory loads are in, and they look much different. Are any of you using the new style hulls? Do they load as well as the old ones? Are they as durable? Are the old ones available anywhere?

Your collective responses made me realize that I need to crank up the old press. The ability to load really mild loads would be less expensive and less punishing on the courses. I am with you Armored Farmer. I like to load also. Thanks, everyone.

NO, NO, and NO

 

[George P]

I like federal 1 oz-#8 factory bought at Walmart for 4.74 and have shot many 25,s and 50,s from the 16yd line and 42-50 at sporting clays. that's about the best I can do at being just short of 75. I have two mec 9000 G,s and lots of supplies for when the cost of shells go up.

I can buy better for less from Academy with free shipping; check them out.