Can anybody explain cartridge size to me?

[blacky]

I am just getting into shooting clays had the FAO out etc now just waiting on the cert to come.

 

After reading different topics on cartridge size i am confused as to use what size of cartridges for what ie clays, pigeons etc i only shoot clays just now at the local club but would like to try pigeons etc. A friend can get me gamebore blue diamond 7.25 28 grams when i get my cert are they ok for clays or pigeons crows etc?

 

Keith

Edited May 16, 2010 by blacky

[majordisorder]

I'm new to all this as well. I'm only clay shooting but I'm using 8s for the close up stuff and 7.5 for the more distant shots, both in Eley Olympics.

[libs]

Stick to what ever clay load you can get for the least money, will normally be 28g of something like #7.5. These are perfect for sporting, and if you are someone who just shoots any disapline when you feel like it, these will cover all bases for you.

 

Use these for pigeons if you must, kepp the ranges reasonable, and chances are if your just starting out you will miss anything crossing at 4000MPH half a km away so don't stress the long shots! Crows are a bit tougher, and quite a large bird so I would use something like 32g of #6 or even #5, and this cartridge will double up for rabbits too.

 

Theres nothing to say that a well placed shot with a 12 bore and 28g of 7.5 won't kill a crow/pigeon/jackdaw/magpie etc, but these denser pattern (32g ratehr than 28g) of heavier shot (#5 or #6 rather than #7.5) gives you a better margin for error.

[scarecrow243]

Hi guys 7.5 clays or pigeons most will use 30gram 6"S for pigeons crows rabbits, ducks, for geese use heavy loads non toxic for the foreshore or wetlands, lead for inland size 1 3 bb shot

[chezza1986]

Agreed, 28 gram 7.5's will suit your budget and shooting well to start with. I'm not a super skilled shot or been going very long but I still use them for all clay shooting. Again agreed with 32 gram 6's for pigeon and in all fairness that will do most animals at sensible ranges. Don't read to much into the shot sizes to much to start with as this will throw your concentration on your shooting technique which is more important to begin with.

Hope it helps.

Jack

[blacky]

Thanks understand better now

[Mr_Logic]

28/7.5 or 28/8 no worries, but don't feel afraid to use less lead if it means you are more comfortable - 21g will do the job if you shoot straight.

[The Reverend]

Basically, 21-28g of lead will work fine, shot size 7.5 is the most popular and therefore easiest to get, the difference between clay and game cartridges is the antimony content of the lead.

 

Clays are hard to break so has around 5% antimony to make the lead harder, game benefits from the lead distorting on impact so the antimony is around 3%. Either is fine for both really, but I am happier using a clay cartridge on game than the other way around if I don't have a choice.

 

For what it's worth, I have shot 160 crows with my .410 this week, adults as well as branchers, using 11-18g loads, mostly in shot size 7.

[djrwood]

A good cheap cartridge i use for clays is the fiochi trap one 28gm 7.5shot. These are ace little cartridges and only cost about 33 quid for a slab of 250. I've now started using the Eley VIP's 28gm 7.5 shot which are a bit more exspensive at £44 per slab but are absolutly brilliant. Talk about get your brass out, its worth collecting the shells and weighing them in. It may just be an 'in my head' confidence thing but i do tend to hit more shooting the eley's. If you start shooting skeet, you may find you hit more shooting with 24gm 9shot as i believe you get more lead in your spread on these but tbh i just use the 7.5's on whatever discipline im shooting on clays. Im not at a shooting standard where i can facilitate the need for shooting different types of cartridges around a sporting layout when im just out for the afternoon having a bit fun.

 

As for moving on to pigeon, like the others on here have said as long as you are shooting at sensible ranges then you can bring em down with 7.5's. I personally use 32gm 6's and am currently trying out saga's which seem to be pretty good. I prefer the six shot as these kill the rabbits and crows with ease as long as im aiming in the right place.

 

Just out of interest what chokes are you using? or is your gun a fixed choke as this will arguably be more important than the type of cart you are using

 

Dan

[blacky]

A good cheap cartridge i use for clays is the fiochi trap one 28gm 7.5shot. These are ace little cartridges and only cost about 33 quid for a slab of 250. I've now started using the Eley VIP's 28gm 7.5 shot which are a bit more exspensive at £44 per slab but are absolutly brilliant. Talk about get your brass out, its worth collecting the shells and weighing them in. It may just be an 'in my head' confidence thing but i do tend to hit more shooting the eley's. If you start shooting skeet, you may find you hit more shooting with 24gm 9shot as i believe you get more lead in your spread on these but tbh i just use the 7.5's on whatever discipline im shooting on clays. Im not at a shooting standard where i can facilitate the need for shooting different types of cartridges around a sporting layout when im just out for the afternoon having a bit fun.

 

As for moving on to pigeon, like the others on here have said as long as you are shooting at sensible ranges then you can bring em down with 7.5's. I personally use 32gm 6's and am currently trying out saga's which seem to be pretty good. I prefer the six shot as these kill the rabbits and crows with ease as long as im aiming in the right place.

 

Just out of interest what chokes are you using? or is your gun a fixed choke as this will arguably be more important than the type of cart you are using

Dan

I have not got a gun just now am still waiting on my cert to come.

[Spara Dritto]

Buy your self a slab (250) hull comp x 28g.

If you start off with heavier loads it may cause you to flinch and miss the target.

comp x are the lowest recoil you can get, one of the cleanest and 28g will work for pigeons too!

Look for 1/4 nd 1/2 choke as this will serve for pigeons and any sporting clay appearance.

If you only want to shoot clay try the comp x 21g, you have 25% less lead in comparrision but will still break clays with little to no felt recoil.

 

Hope this helps!

[bakerboy]

Should you be using anything heavier than 28gr at a clay ground?

 

7.5 28's are ideal for just about anything you shoot at a clay shoot.

For the live stuff, and bearing in mind your admitted inexperience, treat your "quarry with respect" and use 30/32 6's, you can come down at later date with practice and experience.

Edited February 10, 2011 by bakerboy

[al4x]

its cracking when people can find the search facility but even better when they can check the date of the last post