Wolfy
Member
What is a good shot size for trap? I have been using 7.5 the last 2 weeks(I just got into it). I don't reload so I need recommendations on commercial ammo.
Thanks
Thanks
Shot size for trap
- Thread starter Wolfy
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C.R.Sam
Moderator Emeritus
7 early on ....
7 1/2 later.
Seemed to do just fine.
Long ago...6 for handicap work. Not allowed a lot of places now.
Sam
7 1/2 later.
Seemed to do just fine.
Long ago...6 for handicap work. Not allowed a lot of places now.
Sam
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
Wolfy .... I shoot trap, skeet etc as a very low order priority compared with handgun and rifle but .. i load my own and whilst used to use 7 1/2 now stick with 8's..... shoot when I can and do enjoy it.
May not quite have the reach but IMO the ''fuller'' pattern helps some ..... YMMV of course.
May not quite have the reach but IMO the ''fuller'' pattern helps some ..... YMMV of course.
TrapperReady
Member
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I use #7.5 most of the time, especially in the colder months (winter trap league around here is normally in the single digits if we're lucky). However, for shooting from the 16 yard line in warmer weather, I've had good luck with #8.5.
Try a few kinds and see what it likes. If you're just getting into it, I'd probably use #8, and modified choke. After a while, you'll probably want to switch to a tighter choke, but modified is a good starting place.
If you've got a free afternoon, you can pattern different loads with some different chokes and see exactly what's going on.
Try a few kinds and see what it likes. If you're just getting into it, I'd probably use #8, and modified choke. After a while, you'll probably want to switch to a tighter choke, but modified is a good starting place.
If you've got a free afternoon, you can pattern different loads with some different chokes and see exactly what's going on.
ysr_racer
Member
I buy the Value-Packs at WalMart. $14.88 for 100 rounds. Available in 7.5 or 8. Winchester, Federal or Remington, they all work good.
Most clubs won't let you use anything bigger than 7.5 (8 or 9 is smaller).
Most clubs won't let you use anything bigger than 7.5 (8 or 9 is smaller).
Wolfy
Member
So far I have been using 7.5 Estate but I stopped by Dick's today and they said they give a 10% discount if you buy by the case. Also Sport's Authority has the Winchester Super X Game loads for $3.50.
Also have had the most success using the Skeet choke.
Also have had the most success using the Skeet choke.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Ask ten trapshooters what the best shot size is and you'll get at least 10 opinions. Here's mine...
First,loads and chokes are joined at the hip. No consideration of either can be done without considering the other.
I use a very tight choke for trap and take my birds a hair further out most of the time. 8.5s work well in warmer weather, I go to a slightly heavier powder charge and 7.5s for the colder months.
8s work well also in warmer times, but the 8.5s have a denser pattern. They're also hard to find in cheap ammo.
In your shoes ,I'd go with the Federal Valupacks in either shot size. Go with the 7.5s if it's cold. Also, use the tightest choke you have, it;ll teach you to hold closer and put the center of the pattern into the leading molecule of the clay.
HTH...
First,loads and chokes are joined at the hip. No consideration of either can be done without considering the other.
I use a very tight choke for trap and take my birds a hair further out most of the time. 8.5s work well in warmer weather, I go to a slightly heavier powder charge and 7.5s for the colder months.
8s work well also in warmer times, but the 8.5s have a denser pattern. They're also hard to find in cheap ammo.
In your shoes ,I'd go with the Federal Valupacks in either shot size. Go with the 7.5s if it's cold. Also, use the tightest choke you have, it;ll teach you to hold closer and put the center of the pattern into the leading molecule of the clay.
HTH...
Tom Held
Member
I tend to go the other direction. From the 16 yard line I tend to use 9s and IC choke in a 12 gauge. But once I start backing up then I go to 8s to the 20 yard line with modified chokes After that it's 71/2s and improved mod/light full.
I also like the 1 oz and less loads. They don't beat you around as much and my scores are the same or usually better. I quit using the monster trap loads a couple of years ago. You don't have to powder every target, you just have to break it.
But a lot of it is personal preference.
I also like the 1 oz and less loads. They don't beat you around as much and my scores are the same or usually better. I quit using the monster trap loads a couple of years ago. You don't have to powder every target, you just have to break it.
But a lot of it is personal preference.
Jim Watson
Member
Rules don't allow anything larger than 7.5.
You can't readily buy anything smaller than 9.
I am at present shooting 7/8 oz of 7.5 because that is what I had on hand when I cut the load to reduce recoil. The pattern may be thin, it kind of chips and chunks them and I will probably buy 8s next time, maybe 8.5 if my guy can get them.
I doubt it makes much difference unless you are a long yardage handicap shooter, in which case you would have had your own preferences long ago.
You can't readily buy anything smaller than 9.
I am at present shooting 7/8 oz of 7.5 because that is what I had on hand when I cut the load to reduce recoil. The pattern may be thin, it kind of chips and chunks them and I will probably buy 8s next time, maybe 8.5 if my guy can get them.
I doubt it makes much difference unless you are a long yardage handicap shooter, in which case you would have had your own preferences long ago.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Whatever works, Tom. And what works for you with your experience and expertise may not work well for a new shotgunner.
For those who may not recall, Tom Held is the shotgunner I wrote about before, who ran 19/25 with a 410 and 7 1/2 shot. Off BB he advised me that he's done better than that, though he's yet to run them.
Light loads do the job. Loads that do not build flinches but do build runs.
My personal best run with oz loads of 8.5s from the 16 is 63.It's only me that stopped, there, the load could have gone on indefinitely if I had help up my end.
Jim,try 8.5s for warm weather.
All in all, it matters little compared to placing the center of the pattern on the bird.
For those who may not recall, Tom Held is the shotgunner I wrote about before, who ran 19/25 with a 410 and 7 1/2 shot. Off BB he advised me that he's done better than that, though he's yet to run them.
Light loads do the job. Loads that do not build flinches but do build runs.
My personal best run with oz loads of 8.5s from the 16 is 63.It's only me that stopped, there, the load could have gone on indefinitely if I had help up my end.
Jim,try 8.5s for warm weather.
All in all, it matters little compared to placing the center of the pattern on the bird.
Mike Irwin
Member
Hey Dave,
Could you explain how a drinking straw fits into the equasion?
Could you explain how a drinking straw fits into the equasion?
Intune
Member
I never would have thought of this, thank you! I am a rookie clay gamer and I think this may be a great help. I take it you mean to nail them with full somewhat consistently and THEN switch to the appro choke for that distance?
Jim Watson
Member
Dave, 8 1/2 may be the way to go, the ONLY way I shoot these days is in warm weather. If available, our club prez orders supplies from Gamaliel, mostly, and it depends on what they have in stock when my 7 1/2s get low.
I remember about 25 years ago, the first time Remington tried to popularize the 8 1/2 with reams of calculations to show that they had enough pellet energy to break the targets essentially as well as 8s, combined with more pellets in the load.
I remember about 25 years ago, the first time Remington tried to popularize the 8 1/2 with reams of calculations to show that they had enough pellet energy to break the targets essentially as well as 8s, combined with more pellets in the load.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
You're teasing me, Mike. You surely recall the spreader loads I made up using a small piece of drinking straw to disrupt the shot as it left the wad.
Actually, Intune, one can leave the Full in. it does help through the steep part of the learning curve, but seeing all that smoke is a nice confidence builder. I may switch to a Modified choke once the new barrel gets its forcing cone done, but till that day I'll stick with more choke than needed.
Jim, almost all of the straights I've done were with 8.5s. At 16 yards, more than enough energy and a thick pattern mean dust rather than chips. Caveat, not suitable for live targets bigger than rats, IMO.
Actually, Intune, one can leave the Full in. it does help through the steep part of the learning curve, but seeing all that smoke is a nice confidence builder. I may switch to a Modified choke once the new barrel gets its forcing cone done, but till that day I'll stick with more choke than needed.
Jim, almost all of the straights I've done were with 8.5s. At 16 yards, more than enough energy and a thick pattern mean dust rather than chips. Caveat, not suitable for live targets bigger than rats, IMO.
Mike Irwin
Member
Why do you think I brought it up, Dave!
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