Store bought Shotgun Shells

[Cal Mason]

Hello All
  Since I do not reload Shotgun shells yet I was wondering what is an acceptable one to use in 12 gauge. Shooting a pump so just wondering. I do see the shells range from 8 to 10 bucks so I will soon be reloading but not that soon so just asking, or if anyone in the Long Beach Ca area that would like to unload some for a fee let me know. 

Thanks
Rick / Cal Mason

[Shotgun Franklin]

I don't know what store you have out there but here, Academy has shells on sale during Dove Season. I stock up. By the case they normally run between 4 and 5 dollars a box of 25.

[Cal Mason]

Thanks
  I was looking at those mild featherlite type, I took a class and they said these are the best if I bought new. So I take it I can use regular lead type shells. Good they are cheaper.

Rick / Cal Mason

[hammer1]

For what purpose are the shells? You have available, target loads, dove, quail, pheasant, and then start getting into the heavy stuff, for turkey and ducks/geese.

[Blair]

Cal,

I do not know what you want or need these shot shells for... but most of what SASS needs them for and their type of shooting... low brass and low pressure loads are just fine. Buy what fits into your budget is my best suggestion.
If you shoot BP, then you will have to learn to load your own, like in all other types of ammo.
Just a thought on my part.

[Shotgun Franklin]

The Remington Heavy Dove Loads will firmly knock down any target you might face in CAS. They're also good for Doves or Squirrels. I always have a couple of cases setting around handy.

[GunClick Rick]

 IF IT AIN"T BRASS,YOU CAN
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Shoot whatever you want

[Cal Mason]

Thanks for the inputs. I guess I can save some money on the shells and I do not need to spend the extea monet for the low recoil shells for CAS.

Rick / Cal Mason

[Abilene]

Cal, the Winchester "featherlights" and their equivalent from Federal and Remington, etc. are very nice for the mild shooting and will usually do the job, but are pricey.  Otherwise, anything that says "target load" is usually okay.  Win AA and Rem STS are very popular.  As mentioned, the least expensive can get down below $5 a box and are often found in 100-packs.  Not as light as the Featherlights but reasonable.  These less expensive shells usually have steel bases instead of brass and can be sticky extracting in SxS shotguns but I think they are okay in pumps.

When you go shotshell shopping, look at the numbers on the boxes.  There will usually be four: Dram Equivalent (power), Velocity, Shot Weight, and Shot Size (usually 7, 7 1/2, or 8.  The larger the number, the smaller the shot.  Size 6 shot and larger will usually be heavier loads for hunting).  For the first three numbers mentioned, the lower they are, the less recoil the shell will have.  Your favorite product may not always be available so it's good to know how to compare.  And when you go to a match, ask the locals where they are finding their best deals.

[Cal Mason]

Good info Abelene, thanks. Now to read the difference between High brass and Low brass. Sort of thinking it has to do with pressures. Rick, yup, just don't want to kill my shoulder in a match. Not that young anymore and the arthritis sort of adds to the OUCH.

Rick / Cal MASON

[Marthor]

I just ordered 20 boxes (500 shells) of these winchester 12 gage feathers.

Good price sale and free shipping...
http://www.basspro.com/Winchester-AA-Low-Recoil/Low-Noise-Target-Loads-Shotshells/product/67999/

You do need feathers, because at the cowboys they have some heavy shotgun stages and you may be shooting 16 shells in just one stage of the match they said. Regular loads will give your shoulder and gun a pounding. Take advantage of that deal on the link!

[Red Cent]

These days high brass doesn't always mean a bunch of recoil. The cheap black Remingtons that are usually on sale at Walmart and Dicks hurt. Look for velocity. 1300fps kicks. 1000 is great and 1200is starting to get stout. If it reads 3 dr equiv that is about 1300 fps. You want 2 3/4 dr equiv or less.
Federal has  come out with a sub sonic load that is supposed to be under 1000fps. Thats nice depending on the cost. I believe the feather lites are round 980fps.
Reloading shotgun shells won't save you a lot of money. But you can sure make some proprietary loads. I shoot 12grs American Select with one ounce of shot. Pure pleasure to shoot and it will take 'em down. I'm gonna guess 800 fps. If I wanted to laod a factory equivalent, I would put in about 16grs of American Select.