Shotshell and choke questions

[TFin04]

Hey fella's, I have three quick questions for ya. I tried searching and didn't find any concrete answers.

1. What is the difference between game loads and target loads? My range only allows target loads. If I'm finding the same shot size, shell size, and dram what else could be different? (Both are lead shot)

2. Is there anywhere online where I can find shells for less than $3.70 a box shipped? I can find that price locally quite often with a sale at Dunhams, wondering if I can do better. This is just Remington Game loads in a variety of shot sizes. It works though.

3. What is the typical choke tube used for Skeet? My gun had modified in it, wondering if I should try something different.

Thanks!

 

[Chris17404]

Hi TFin04,

1. The difference between game loads and target loads is usually just how much powder is in each shell. 12 gauge game loads are typically 3 or 3-1/4 DRAM, whereas 12 gauge target loads are usually 2-3/4 DRAM. Also, target loads are usually only 7.5, 8, 8.5, or 9 size lead shot. Game loads can be bigger.

2. In my opinion $3.70 per box shipped in an outstanding price for just about any kind of shell. Where is this place?

3. Skeet is usually played with a very open choke, such as cylinder, skeet, or improved cylinder. I usually use a skeet choke, but this past weekend I was using my new-to-me Remington 1100 with fixed modified choke. Man, did it crush those targets!

Hope this helps.

Chris

 

[redneck2]

1. What is the difference between game loads and target loads?

Though some are the same, typically field loads are high brass, which has more powder and heavier powder/shot charges. If they make you use target loads, they're safe. Keeps it simple.

2. Is there anywhere online where I can find shells for less than $3.70 a box shipped?

That's pretty cheap. I use AA's for sporting clays, and they're maybe $5 a box. The cheap stuff may be OK for skeet. For SC, there's a definite difference, particularly with the longer shots.

3. What is the typical choke tube used for Skeet?

Uh, I'd try SK1 or SK2.

 

[TFin04]

1. The difference between game loads and target loads is usually just how much powder is in each shell. 12 gauge game loads are typically 3 or 3-1/4 DRAM, whereas 12 gauge target loads are usually 2-3/4 DRAM. Also, target loads are usually only 7.5, 8, 8.5, or 9 size lead shot. Game loads can be bigger.

I've noticed the people who actually pull the game for me don't care if it says game or target (as long as it is between 7.5-9 and under 3 Dram). That works for me.

2. In my opinion $3.70 per box shipped in an outstanding price for just about any kind of shell. Where is this place?

It is a brick and mortar shop in the midwest area called Dunhams. It is a typical "sporting goods" store with a pretty good firearm/archery/hunting section. They put it on sale for $3.49 a box and with MI sales tax it comes out to right around $3.70 per box. They are light Remington Game Loads with squirrel or birds on the box. They shoot, though.

3. Skeet is usually played with a very open choke, such as cylinder, skeet, or improved cylinder. I usually use a skeet choke, but this past weekend I was using my new-to-me Remington 1100 with fixed modified choke. Man, did it crush those targets!

Seems like I need to brush up on my choke sizes. Wikipedia, here I come.

Thanks to both of you, Chris and redneck2, for the info. I've quickly become a clay addict. Been to the range 5 times in the past 6 days (Only shot clays 5 times in my life).

My Moss pump is scoring me 18-21 in skeet and 21-23 in trap. I'm making all the old guys and their O/U's look bad (And they let me know it!)

 

[OnDuty]

Good info.

 

[Oldnamvet]

If you are scoring 18-21 on skeet with a modified, expect to pick up at least a couple birds if you go to a skeet tube. A newcomer with a pump busting close to a straight already? Then you will really make some people look bad.

 

[sargenv]

As is usual with shotguns, it's not the bow that makes a difference, it's the Indian behind the bow. Now imagine that since you are powdering them with your Mossy, how much better you'd probably do with an O/U. I've broken my fair number of clays with a Mossy 500 so Use what you have, it's all good. One time I nearly outshot a guy on the trap line using a 20 gauge H&R Topper model single shot, plain barrel, and exposed hammer to his 12 gauge Browning BT99.. he was not a happy camper..

Vince

 

[RNB65]

. What is the difference between game loads and target loads? My range only allows target loads. If I'm finding the same shot size, shell size, and dram what else could be different? (Both are lead shot)

The difference is the type of shot used. The shot in target loads has a higher antimony content than the shot in field loads which makes it harder. Harder shot reduces pellet deformation inside the barrel during firing and produces a more consistent pattern with fewer flyers.

3. What is the typical choke tube used for Skeet?

Either skeet or cylinder choke are usually used to shoot skeet. Modified or full choke are usually used to shoot trap.

 

[TFin04]

Thanks, everyone.

I'm heading to go shoot a couple rounds right now. I'm hoping for my first 25 today. I wasn't able to pick up a different choke yet, so modified will have to do for now.

I will post back with results when I get home. I picked up a new AK I have to shoot as well...

 

[geim druth]

When should you pick high brass game loads over heavy game loads?

 

[Dave McCracken]

Geim, I use high brass on wild ringnecks and similar hard to kill stuff.

In truth, most stuff under the size of a Perdue roaster falls to a well placed oz of shot.

But, like the 28 gauge is more shotgun than one thinks, a veteran wild pheasant is more bird than one thinks, and needs to be slammed hard and maybe more than once.

 

[geim druth]

Thanks Dave,

Now I need to be good enough to hit that bird!

 

[TrapperReady]

a veteran wild pheasant is more bird than one thinks, and needs to be slammed hard and maybe more than once.

Dave - Last fall, I was hunting in SD. On one bird I violated my "don't shoot at a pheasant if you can't see the head" rule. Instead, I put a load of #4 into it as it flew straight away. It was hit, but gliding in, not cartwheeling. I was about to put another shot into it, but it came down fast and into a cut corn field. I thought "No problem. The dog will get it."

But, my dog (still a bit of a puppy) balked at moving from the heavy grass we were in to the cut corn. In the minute or so that it took to get him to cross into the different cover, that bird just plain disappeared. We worked for nearly two hours trying to recover the bird, all to no avail. I'm still upset with myself when I think about it.

When hunting wild roosters, I have my own list of Commandments:

1) Thou shalt not use shot of size smaller than #5.
2) Thou shalt use gauge of 12.
3) The ammo shall use velocity of the highest order.
4) When in times of plenty, use shot covered with plating of nickle.
5) The quantity of shot shall be no less than one and one-quarter ounces, nor greater than one and three-eighths.
6) Shootest not at the rearward portion of the game, but toward the front. If thou dost not see the head, thou shalt not pull the trigger.
7) Markest well upon the ground where the bird dost land.
8) Treat with greatest affection any beast which assists you. They are a Gift from God and will bring much bounty to your table.
9) Know well the boundries of the lands upon which you hunt.
10) Share the bounty of your hunt and treat with great appreciation and deference any who are willing to allow you to hunt upon their lands.

 

[scout26]

a veteran wild pheasant is more bird than one thinks, and needs to be slammed hard and maybe more than once.

As my father-in-law would say when we hunted pheasants in Nebraska.

"The shotgun is what we use just to knock 'em down, so that we can wring their necks."