Shotgun loads for 3 Gun

[Hawthorne2k]

I've been shooting IPSC for a year or so now and have managed to claw my way up to D class. I own an AR and have just purchased a used Mossberg 590 (20" barrel, IC cylinder) with the idea it'll be my home defense/competition shotgun. What commonly available slug and target loads would be best for 3-gun with my 590?

 

[Zak Smith]

I run AA127 7.5's, 1 1/8 oz, and Fed or Rem tactical slugs in my Benelli. I usually run a M choke.
If you have a problem with knocking over further poppers with you choke, try #4 shot loads or heavier game loads-- I usually keep a box with my 3gun stuff just in case I find a stage I need them for.

 

[Justin]

I second Zak's usage of the Winchester AA's. Though, lately for local matches, I've been running either Estate or Remington 7.5 birdshot to save on ammo costs.

For shotgun slugs, I've recently switched over to using B&P Reduced Recoil slugs. Accuracy is reasonable, recoil is manageable, cost can't be beat, and they seem to cycle my Benelli. Other than that, you might look at the Wolf or Fiocchi slugs.

 

[sargenv]

A lot of guys run the Rio 1 1/8 - 7.5's and even a few people run the 100 pack 7.5's from Wally world.

Personally, I load my own, but the 1 1/8 - 7.5 at 1200-1255 is about right. Sometimes I'll mix in some 9's if the course is clays heavy, and I usually have a box of #4 buck and #4 bird shot just in case.

I roll my own slugs, but the Federal Tactical are very popular withthe 3-gunners in my area. They prove to sometimes run 1 hole cloverleaf groups at 25 yards out of a Benelli.

 

[Hoser]

I shoot a few different flavors.

The main ammo I use is 1.125 ounces of #6 or 7.5 going about 1200 fps. Its about a 3.125 dram load. All reloads.

If there is lots of clays *and* they are close I use either #7.5 or #9 Spreader ammo. Fiocchi or Kent.

For lots of steel poppers and some of it possibly heavy, I like #4 buckshot. Again 1.125 ounces going around 1200 fps. All reloads. If the stage requires 00 or 000 buck I use Remington Low Recoil.

And for slugs I like the B&P. Very accurate and softer than the other low recoil slugs I have used. I tried to load my own using the 525 gn Lyman sabot mould, but I could not get the velocity down to a manageable level. All the data out there is for smoking fast velocity and crazy recoil. The accuracy was there, but too much recoil.

I enjoy IPSC shotgun, but I think it is the hardest to master of all 3 guns.