target load recommendations for a tyro

[Chris17404]

Hi guys,

I'm planning on buying some ammo in the near future and going out to the range and shooting my new 870P for the first time. I've been researching some of the light target loads and found a few. I'd like to hear your opinions on them and if you'd recommend one over the other and why. Other target load suggestions are also very welcome. Here's what I've found so far:

Federal T114 Gold Medal Extra-Lite Plastic 12 Ga. Shotshells (F-T114)
12 gauge, Plastic Shell, Length: 2 3/4", Powder: Extra-Lite, Shot: 1 1/8 oz.

Remington STS12LR Premier STS Low Recoil 12 Ga. Shotshells (R-STS12LR)
12 gauge, Shell Type: Premier STS Low Recoil, Length: 2 3/4", Powder: 2 1/2 drams, Shot: 1 1/8 oz.

Winchester AA Xtra-Lite 12 Ga. Shotshells (W-AAL12)
12 gauge, Shell Type: Xtra-Lite, Length: 2 3/4", Powder: 2 3/4 drams, Shot: 1 oz.

Winchester AA Low Recoil/Low Noise 12 Ga. Shotshells (W-AA12FL)
12 gauge, Shell Type: Low Recoil/Low Noise, Length: 2 3/4", Powder: 2 1/2 drams, Shot: 26 gm.

Also... the website www.gamaliel.com has each of there for between $5.20 - $5.40 per box of 25 (minimum purchase of 10 boxes). Is that a good price?

Or... how about the lower-priced Federal "Top Gun" or Remington "Gun Club" loads? Are they any good?

Any other suggestions? Thanks for your help!

Chris

 

[Fred Fuller]

Chris,

Go to your local sporting goods store or big-box (wallyworld etc) and pick up a few single boxes (25 round boxes) of the offerings available. Stick with 1 oz shot loads or less (7/8 oz if you can find them) at lower velocities to begin with. See what the gun likes, THEN consider buying case lots. It is better to have part of a box of 25 that the gun refuses to cycle than to have most of a case...

There are small differences in material, construction and dimensions from brand to brand and even lot ot lot of shotgun shells. Some brands disagree with some guns and refuse to cycle. So get an assortment and see what works how before you pop for case lots.

And if it is a brand new 870 out of the box, then CLEAN IT THOROUGHLY FIRST before shooting it. Remington ships new guns with a preservative in place and it can be gummy as glue.

Have fun, and congrats on the new gun- hope you live long enough to wear it out.

lpl/nc

 

[kudu]

Chris17404, Welcome to the High Road.

All the shells that you have listed are premium target loads, basically the best you can shoot at clay birds. They have high antimony shot,(harder), and target wads. If you plan on competing in clay games any of these will work wonderfully, but if you just plan on blasting the occasional clay birds or melon or paper target, there are much cheaper shells that are quite good.

Estate shotshells, can be had in light 1oz loads. Made by Federal. As low as $3.00 a box.

Remington Gun Club shells. A very nice target load that is reasonably priced. About $4.00 a box.

Fiocchi shells can be had sometime quite reasonably as well.

Federal Promo shells, at Walmart, and other big stores, come in 4 box packs that are $15.88 at my local store.

If you have a Gander Mountain store or Cabelas near you they have discounts on 10 box flats.

Keep in mind that a serious shotgunner will go through a flat in a couple weeks, maybe sooner. I used to go through more than 2 flats a week when I competed.

 

[Hawk]

The loads you've listed "up top" would have me following you around like a little puppy picking up whatever you left behind.

The previous two posters nailed it - no reason to be spending that kind of money unless you're planning on reloading. A lot of the difference in price is the fact that you're buying stuff that can be fed through a MEC numerous times.

'Course my daddy always said "Might as well start out with what you're going to wind up with." If you're going to be using nothing but AA's and STS's, do a search on "9000G" and "SL900".

 

[Chris17404]

Thanks again, guys. Right now I am definitely a casual shooter, who'd like to get a lot better over time. I guess the best way to do that is just shoot as much as I can... as cheaply as I can. I'll check out the loads you guys mentioned.

Chris

 

[Dave McCracken]

..."As much as I can....as cheaply as I can"...

Bravo! You got it!!

BA/UU/R....

 

[larryw]

Just be forewarned Chris, shooting clays is an addictive sport, with the the advanced stages manifest by a rapid and irreversible acceleration of the BA/UU/R (Buy Ammo/Use Up/Repeat) mandate. Terminal cases, such as Hawk's exhibit the RA/UU/R, variation where ammo is reloaded instead of purchased (to see these poor souls in action, casually toss a premium hull on the ground...).

Light target loads are typically listed at 2-3/4 DRAM (how much powder), or under 1200FPS. 1oz of shot will recoil a bit less than 1-1/8oz , but you also lose a bunch of pellets. Try to get the #8 (smaller) shot to increase the pellet count (#7-1/2 is a bigger pellet). Look for boxes typically labeled Sporting or Target. The hunting loads are usually a bit stouter (over 3 DRAM).

As is the case with ammo in general, different brands with the "same" specs will feel a bit different. For example, I notice a difference in the recoil impulse between Estate, Federal and Winchester bulk packs. Not saying one is better or worse, just different. You'll need to judge which one you prefer. As such, buy a bit of each and try it out before you stock up (and once you do that, we got'cha--you're hooked! )