Breaking clays consistently requires more than just a good gun. The right ammunition is absolutely critical. Clay shooting, encompassing disciplines like skeet, trap, and sporting clays, is a thrilling sport that demands precision, skill, and the right equipment. From the moment you call “pull!” and the clay emerges, you’re relying on a complex system of factors, with your shotgun shells playing a central role. Understanding these factors is key to maximizing your performance and enjoying the sport to its fullest. This guide aims to equip you with the knowledge you need to choose the best shotgun shells for clay shooting, elevating your game and improving your overall experience.
Understanding Shotgun Shells
A shotgun shell, the heart of your shooting experience, is a carefully constructed package designed to propel multiple projectiles downrange. It’s a surprisingly sophisticated piece of engineering.
The primer, a tiny but vital component, sits at the base of the shell. When struck by the firing pin, it ignites the powder. The powder, a carefully measured amount of propellant, burns rapidly, generating expanding gases. This gas buildup creates pressure within the shell.
The wad, a plastic or fiber component, acts as a seal and a protective barrier for the shot. It prevents the shot from damaging the barrel and helps to maintain a tight pattern. The shot itself consists of numerous small pellets, typically made of lead, steel, or other materials. These pellets are the projectiles that strike the clay target.
Finally, the hull, the shell’s body, encases all the other components. Hulls are usually made of plastic or a combination of plastic and paper. The hull needs to withstand the pressure of the explosion and contain all the components until the shot is released.
Choosing the right gauge is the first step in determining which shells are right for you. Several gauges are commonly used in clay shooting. However, the vast majority of clay shooters rely on the two most popular choices: twelve gauge and twenty gauge. The larger bore of the twelve gauge allows for a greater payload of shot, often resulting in denser patterns and more broken clays. Twenty gauge offers less recoil making it an excellent option for beginners, women, or any shooter sensitive to recoil. Both offer a wide range of ammunition options tailored for different shooting disciplines. Other gauges, like twenty-eight gauge and point four ten, have their niche audiences and are popular due to the handling qualities and challenge they offer. The choice of gauge often comes down to personal preference, experience level, and the demands of the specific clay shooting sport.
There are different types of shells, each designed for a specific purpose. For clay shooting, you’ll almost always want to use target loads. These shells are specifically manufactured to provide optimal performance on the range. They typically feature a faster velocity and a consistent pattern. Field loads, designed for hunting game birds and other game, are not a good choice for clay shooting. They may use larger shot sizes and different wad designs than target loads, which are not as effective at breaking clay targets.
Key Factors in Choosing the Best Shells
Several factors will determine which shotgun shells are best for your clay shooting goals.
One of the most important considerations is shot size. Shot size refers to the diameter of the individual pellets. Smaller shot sizes mean more pellets in the shell, increasing the probability of hitting the target. Larger shot sizes, on the other hand, provide more energy per pellet, which may be better suited for longer shots. Commonly used shot sizes for clay shooting include seven and a half, eight, and nine. Seven and a half, a popular choice, offers a good balance between pellet count and hitting power. Eight is another common choice, slightly reducing the pellet count for more power. Nine shot is often preferred for skeet, where distances are shorter. The choice of shot size also depends on the discipline. Skeet shooters often use smaller shot for closer targets, while trap shooters may opt for larger shot sizes when the clay is further away. Sporting clay courses, offering varied distances, often require choosing a shot size that can break clays reliably at various ranges.
Shot weight, the weight of the shot load, also significantly influences performance. Shot weight is measured in ounces. Heavier loads produce more pellets, leading to a denser pattern but also increase recoil. Choosing the right shot weight is a balancing act. Lighter loads provide less recoil, making them easier to handle, especially for beginners or during long shooting sessions. Heavier loads deliver more pellets to the target and can be especially useful for longer-range targets. The ideal shot weight will also vary depending on the gauge of your shotgun. Twelve gauge shells are more commonly found in the range of one ounce to one and one-eighth ounces of shot. Twenty gauge shells will use less shot.
The velocity of the shell is a critical factor. Velocity refers to the speed at which the shot travels downrange, measured in feet per second. Higher velocities generally translate into flatter trajectories, and reduce the time it takes the shot to reach the target, which is particularly important in clay shooting where targets are moving rapidly. Velocity is a balance between range and recoil. Target shells often have velocities ranging from twelve hundred to thirteen hundred feet per second, although these numbers can vary depending on the discipline and the shell manufacturer.
The wad type significantly impacts the pattern. The wad’s primary purpose is to protect the shot as it travels down the barrel and to prevent gas leakage. Various wad designs are used, from plastic wads with various “petals” to biodegradable fiber wads. Plastic wads are most common and are designed to open after leaving the barrel, allowing the shot to spread out in the pattern. Fiber wads, often used in shells designed to be more environmentally friendly, can produce slightly different patterns.
Brand reputation is something to consider. Choose reputable brands known for consistent quality. Quality control is essential for consistent patterns and performance. Shells from a trusted brand are more likely to perform predictably every time. Consistent shot-to-shot performance allows you to develop confidence in your ammunition and make adjustments based on observable results. Consider the history of a brand and its reputation within the clay shooting community. Read reviews and ask other shooters for their recommendations.
Best Shell Recommendations
Here are some recommendations for shells tailored to different clay shooting disciplines, based on common preferences and proven performance. These are not exhaustive, and you should try different options to see what works best for your gun and shooting style.
For skeet, where targets are closer and angles are sharper, the emphasis is on a wide, even pattern. Look for shells with smaller shot sizes, typically nine or seven and a half. One popular option is Federal Top Gun Skeet, known for its affordability and reliable performance. This shell provides a consistently even pattern and good velocity. Winchester Super Target is another popular choice, offering a good balance of performance and value.
Trap, the targets travel further and at a higher angle. Shells for trap require a denser pattern and more power. Shot sizes of seven and a half or eight are typically used. Remington Gun Club is a widely used and reliable choice, offering excellent patterns and good velocity. Fiocchi Golden Trap is another solid option, known for its superior quality and consistent performance. This shell is suitable for both practice and competitive trap shooting.
Sporting clays present the most varied challenges, with targets at different distances and angles. Shells should perform well across a wide range of scenarios. Consider the variety of targets and the distance at which you break them before selecting shells. Estate Cartridge Sporting Clays offer a great balance of value and performance, making them suitable for all levels of shooters. Rio Game Load, another solid choice, is known for its consistent performance and patterns.
Additional Considerations and Tips
It is important to understand how to pattern your shotgun. Patterning is the process of firing a shell at a target at a specific distance, usually thirty to forty yards, to see how the shot spreads. This will give you valuable insights into your gun’s performance and help you understand how the shell patterns. You’ll see if the pattern is centered, even, and dense enough to break clays consistently. Patterning helps you determine if the choke you’re using is a good match for your chosen shell and the type of clay shooting you’re doing. The choke is at the end of your shotgun, and the choke will help determine the pattern. Different chokes will give tighter or wider patterns.
External factors, such as the weather, can influence your shots. Temperature and humidity can affect the velocity and the ballistics of the shot. Keep your shells stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, for optimal performance.
Conclusion
Choosing the best shells for clay shooting is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The perfect shell will depend on your gun, your discipline, your shooting style, and your budget. However, by understanding the factors outlined in this guide, you can make informed choices and significantly improve your performance. Remember that the key is to experiment. Try different brands, shot sizes, and loads to see what works best for you. Visit your local shooting range, consult with experienced shooters, and don’t be afraid to try something new. Clay shooting is a journey of continuous learning. By continuously refining your equipment choices, you’ll improve your scores, build confidence, and ultimately, enjoy the sport even more. Go out there, call “pull,” and get ready to break some clays!
