The Perfect Ammunition for Clay Targets

Since everyone else is, let’s talk about ammunition.

Manufacturer? Folks, the truth is, they all work. Favorites build confidence and that counts. Pick any popular brand and know for certain: what’s in the box will do its job if you do yours.

Shot size? Please don’t share this, OK? 9’s are downright lethal inside 30 yards. 8’s—depending on how much target bottom is visible—are stone reliable out to 40+ yards, give or take a little. For consistency, 7½’s get the nod at 50 all the way out to 60 and 70 yards, again depending on what the target is showing us. Rabbits and battues? 8’s work all day.

Payload? Despite some questioning their adequacy, 7/8 oz loads can be trusted and are. Confidently. Their dependability is a quiet fact, confirmed countless times by those who’ve learned. Their welcome reduction in recoil shouldn’t be overlooked or underestimated. Same advantages apply to the 1 oz load across the board. Yes, the 1 1/8’s might provide a bit more confidence for swing error but don’t count on that to break more targets. And, their increase in recoil is a poor trade for the higher pellet count thought to be an advantage.

Shell speed. Listen up please. Unfortunately, here’s what’s commonly misunderstood. Two considerations.

First, the advantage. 2 3/4 dram loads between 1,150 and 1,200 fps have and can dependably break every fair target ever thrown. Here, slower is better, not faster. Why? These conservative loads typically pattern better at all distances, putting more pellets on the target downrange. That little goody counts and again, shouldn’t be underestimated.

Second, the disadvantage. Loads traveling anywhere near 1,300 to 1,400 fps generate downright violent recoil, predictably creating flinching, missing and sometimes worse—physical injuries such as detached retinas and neck issues. You’re bigger and tougher? Don’t even think about buying a few boxes of these high-speed loads, hoping they will create more X’s. On the contrary, they won’t—a costly mistake in too many ways to count. Wingshooters and clay target enthusiasts beware.

Bottom line? Shells don’t break targets. You do. With 2 3/4 dram loads of 8s in one pocket and 7½’s in the other, every day, all day—go build good swings and say hello to your best score.

Shotguns, chokes, loads, shooting methods and the mental game are all specifically addressed in my 3 books: Take Your Best Shot, To The Target and Beyond The Target. Easy to read with step-by-step revelations on how to raise your confidence, consistency and skill level.

If you wish to become more consistent in your shooting, I’ll be happy to chat with you and share what you can honestly expect from lessons.

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