What type of ammo?

[Black Adder LXX]

Hello to all. I swear I searched through the stickys and the shotgun forum before I posted. I'm new to shotguns, am considering getting my first one, so here goes:

What type of ammo do I use for practice? I'm looking at a 12ga, 3" 870 with an 18" barrel. Only use would be HD/practice at indoor range (NO hunting or skeet). What type should I buy and from where to get the deals?

Also, what is the best (reasonable) ammo for HD?

Sorry for the total noob question. I know handguns but SGs are a total mystery to me...

 

[zinj]

Use a buckshot load for HD, whatever size patterns well in your gun (OO is most popular). The best thing to do is to buy several brands and sizes of buckshot and see which one patterns the most consistant and tightest for your gun and choke. As for drills, you can shoot mostly cheap birdshot target loads to keep the cost down and not wear yourself out. You should do some drilling with buckshot, however, just to remain familiar with its handling characteristics.

 

[Black Adder LXX]

So the bulk packs like for sporting clays would be okay, then as long as I shoot some of 'the real', then? I'm trying to figure out what it will really cost me in ammo to own a shotgun...

 

[MCgunner]

As any practice I might do with a shotgun is at clays (paper is way boring and MY shotguns are for hunting birds), I shoot 7 1/2 low brass. I really don't shoot the shotguns much at the range, have to buy clay targets, get out the trap, have someone to work it. They do go hunting a LOT, though, this time of year. Lots of steel shot gets fired.

I fire a few slugs out of my 20 at 50 yards now and then usually out of the left barrel. That's just to keep in practice with it for use afield as a woods bumming gun. It's pretty decent with a foster slug, but you gotta remember the kentucky windage due to the barrel regulation. That pretty much means it's no more than a 50 yard gun with slugs, too, but it's a 20 gauge anyway and 20 gauge foster slugs lose a lot of poop past 50. I don't hunt with it, anyway, just good to know how the thing shoots with slugs in a survival situation should it come up. I'm getting too old to back pack in the wilderness much anymore, though, sadly.

 

[Dave McCracken]

For familiarization, I recommend the lightest loads you can find. 7/8 oz would be optimum but the 1 oz bulk packs will do. Once you can run the gun well with those, go to a standard or reduced recoil buck.

Which one? Try some diferent loads and let your gun tell you.

I like minimal spread, and I go with the tightest patterning stuff I can find.

Shot size matters. Bird shot will do the job up close, but 00 is usually a good choice at any distance inside 25 yards.

HTH, and ask away. The only stupid questions are those not asked....

 

[nosliw]

load up on 00buck. keep that stuff in your mag and in close distance from where you sleep.

i would advise that for practice you run and buy one of those $30 value-packs of light target ammo (100shells) and start having some fun. get some clays set up (helps with target acquisition), maybe get some plinking targets, ect..

buckshot is expensive stuff. figure a buck a bang. so i wouldn't practice with that. but, it wouldn't be a bad idea to see how a box shoots so you are familiar with how it shoots and groups.

oh, and i'd keep it all 2 3/4 in size.

 

[Pete409]

i would advise that for practice you run and buy one of those $30 value-packs of light target ammo (100shells) and start having some fun.

Wal Mart sells those value packs of 100 shells for about $19. They are fine for practice shooting.

 

[scout26]

I'm trying to figure out what it will really cost me in ammo to own a shotgun...

Yep, get out and shoot some clay games. Lots of people will get a HD shotgun, buy a couple of packs of buck or slugs, maybe shoot 5-10 rounds through, think that their trained and ready and then put it in the corner of the closet and let the spiders setup house.

Get theyself out and shoot some trap/skeet/5-stand/sporting clays. Get the gun broken-in and that it feels as comfortable as an old shoe.

Not sure how to play the clays games? Not a problem, when you get there go up the counter guy or range master and say "I don't know how to shoot trap/skeet/5-stand/sporting clays, can someone teach me ??" Some/most shotgunners like to teach newbies.

So buy some of those valu-paks, get out there, and have some fun while you learn.

The more you practice the better you get.....and be careful, clays games can be very addictive.......