Light loads

[ZVP]

After last weeks forray into painfull shell loads, I have been trying to learn about how to read the box and buy a comfortable shooting load.
Well I got my 12 ga all wrong! I bought 2 boxes of #8 one oz loads, powered by 3 1/4 equilivent of smokeless powder. Now that is a KICKING load!!!
I mistook small shot to mean soft recoiling... No way!
These babys hit hard!
Couple that with my project gun having only a hard plastic buttplate and you get punishing recoil!
Ok after some reading here on the net, I discover that I should have choosen some sort of "Target" load and not necessarilly a hunting style Dove Load. Target loads are pushed by low dram equivellent powder charges for all day shooting sessions. Those Dove Hunting loads are for only taking a few well placed field shots with max shot load and max powder to push it. Wrong choice for "play" shells!
Cost wise,the "Target" loads are cheaper also than quality hunting shells. You shoot a lot at Skeet or Trap. Obviouslly powder is a cost variable and the manufacturer can hold Costs down and pass them on to you through "Target" loads!
All I can say is the shooter needs to not only learn shooting techniques but also learn about his ammo! It can save pain and fatigue for the shooter and even keep NIB ammo costs down. I know now that I need to read every post on ammo selection to get the most utility from my guns.
The real costs come to you through pratice sessions, sure you'll likelu buy a couple bpxes of Bucksht or Slugs which are costly but for every serious shell you shoot, you'll shoot maybe 30 pratice shells even more to become proficent with your gun! If you use reloads your costs will be lower but still a considerable ammount of shells will be needed to pratice every month.
HTH,
ZVP

 

[oneounceload]

If the boxes do not show fps, then look for loads with a low dram equivalent - 2-3/4 DE or lower and get light payload. The lower the shot load, coupled with the slowest speed, will give you the lightest recoil. Shooting them in the heaviest gun that fits will reduce the perceived recoil as well.

 

[rbernie]

Federal makes some 12ga 7/8oz non-premium loads that are very easy on the shoulder; my local Academy sells 'em for $5/box.

 

[gpb]

I've been shooting skeet with reduced 12 guage shot reloads for the last few years. I load them down to 3/4 ounce of shot at about 1250 fps. They are very pleasant to shoot and break the targets just fine. Not only are they a joy to shoot, with the cost of shot being so high saving 3/8 ounce of shot per shell adds up quickly.

 

[oneounceload]

Yep, I use 3/4oz for practice sporting clays. Getting 533 loads per bag instead of 400 for 1oz loads makes sense with pricing and scarcity of components

 

[bejay]

maybe need to give your shoulder a break and maybe look at your shotgun stock pad for the biggest improvement.
just dont expect dove or 1 oz loads to be that bad maybe if you shot alot of rounds. but still shouldnt be that bad.

 

[CajunBass]

If you think 1 oz dove loads kick, stay away from 3" buckshot rounds.

 

[eastbank]

a heavier shotgun that fits you and a good recoil system will go a long way to taming recoil. i shoot about 250 12ga shells at trap-sporting clays a week with out any discomfort and i am not a super man. eastbank.

 

[loose noose]

What eastbank said, I shoot a customized BT99 for trap and Browning Citori, for sporting clays and some skeet, I also shoot in a session 200-300 rounds, and again I'm an "old man" and I don't have any problem with recoil. I believe it is all in the firearm that one uses, believe me fit is everything.