How to buy shotgun ammo

[police women of America]

So I went to buy some shotgun ammo and I thought I basically knew everything until I saw the boxes. So I know I need 12 gauge  3" shells, but I totally forgot about shot size, oz, etc. From research I was thinking #7 shot but I thought I'd ask here first. I will be using it for Skeet shooting this weekend. And does oz even matter?
Thanks!

[Timberstalker]

You don't want 3".  2-3/4" will be just fine for Skeet.

Get 7.5 Shot or 8 Shot

1oz to 1-1/8oz will be fine.

It should be between $6 and $8 per box.

[lokidog]

Probably 7 1/2 shot, that will be fine for skeet shooting, the weight of the load doesn't matter IMO for skeet.  one thing to think about though is to use the same ammo for skeet as you will for hunting so that you get used to how  much lead you need for that speed of shot.

And  on thew 2 3/4".

[police women of America]

Thanks!! But do I need to do 2-3/4" shells? Becuase my shotgun is made for 3" I know going smaller is usable but isn't it better to just go with what your shotgun is made for?

[Timberstalker]

Your shotgun is chambered for UP TO 3".  You can shoot shorter shells no problem.  Just never over 3."

Also - unless you are hunting pheasants or long shot chukars, 2-3/4" is just fine (for quail, grouse and dove).  With that said, I don't ever shoot 3" at anything but ducks and geese, however I don't want a debate started on your thread.


Good luck with it all.

[JDHasty]

What shotgun do you have?  On some semi-autos, like old Auto-five or Remington model 11 you have to make adjustments to cycle different loads.   

[police women of America]

Your shotgun is chambered for UP TO 3".  You can shoot shorter shells no problem.  Just never over 3."

Also - unless you are hunting pheasants or long shot chukars, 2-3/4" is just fine (for quail, grouse and dove).  With that said, I don't ever shoot 3" at anything but ducks and geese, however I don't want a debate started on your thread.


Good luck with it all.

Oh, I see now. Thanks!

[police women of America]

What shotgun do you have?  On some semi-autos, like old Auto-five or Remington model 11 you have to make adjustments to cycle different loads.

It's a Remington 870 pump action

[Bill W]

If'n you had a box of 3 inch lead shot loads I'd be betting that you wouldn't finish your first round of skeet.  You'd take too much of a pounding.

2 3/4 inch with 1 or 1 1/8 ounce of 7 1/2 or 8 shot and either  2 3/4 or 3 dram equivalent.  That would equate to either 1145 fps or 1200 fps respectively.  Clay pigeons don't take much killing.

Actually if I was shooting a round of skeet with 3 inch lead shot magnums I might not get past station 2 before I quit.

[wadu1]

If you have a Walmart close they have some Target/field (Federal) loads for under $5 a box. They are 1  1/8 of of number 8 or 7 1/2 at 1200 FPS.  They also carry 100 packs of Federal, Winchester and Remington's for $21 something. It's what I use for sporting clays and skeet, perfect for trap as well. I buy them by the case (250 rounds) once a week, between Sporting Clays and skeet I need that much. I normally shoot 5, 000 - 6,000 of registered targets a year and another 1,500 for fun. I run skeet tubes for skeet and IC for Sporting Clays.

[JDHasty]

What shotgun do you have?  On some semi-autos, like old Auto-five or Remington model 11 you have to make adjustments to cycle different loads.

It's a Remington 870 pump action

You are good to go w/either target loads or dove/quail loads for skeet. The dove/quail is usually really cheep this time of year.   

[police women of America]

What shotgun do you have?  On some semi-autos, like old Auto-five or Remington model 11 you have to make adjustments to cycle different loads.

It's a Remington 870 pump action

You are good to go w/either target loads or dove/quail loads for skeet. The dove/quail is usually really cheep this time of year.

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind

[police women of America]

If you have a Walmart close they have some Target/field (Federal) loads for under $5 a box. They are 1  1/8 of of number 8 or 7 1/2 at 1200 FPS.  They also carry 100 packs of Federal, Winchester and Remington's for $21 something. It's what I use for sporting clays and skeet, perfect for trap as well. I buy them by the case (250 rounds) once a week, between Sporting Clays and skeet I need that much. I normally shoot 5, 000 - 6,000 of registered targets a year and another 1,500 for fun. I run skeet tubes for skeet and IC for Sporting Clays.

Wow that's a lot cheaper then Cabelas. Thanks I'll have to check that out

[huntingfool7]

I'd buy 2-3/4'' with an ounce or less if I could find them.  I shoot skeet weekly with 7/8 ounce loads out of a 12 gauge.

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=443436&sid=405be06992464b9d9b3a97772db69de3

[nwwanderer]

International trap and skeet shoot 24 grams of shot, less than 7/8 ounce.  Try it you will like it.  A couple of guys I know on another countries team always laugh at our loads.