I know breaks are not graded, but I noticed I could consistanly make smoke balls out of targets with new shells. I got good breaks using Clay Dot, but I did not see the smashing smoke balls with my Clay dot load. I shot 8lbs of Clay dot and did really well with it. The patterning thing just kept a little question in the back of my head. So, I tried some green dot and am consistantly getting crushing breaks like I do with new shells. I am now a Green Dot fan! I still have 6 or 7 lbs of clay dot that I will use up over the years, I had just bought a new keg! I held a 96.2 16yd average this year using clay dot, but I am glad to swich to green dot due to the lower pressures, a bit softer recoil, and better pattern.