Which Shot Shell??

[ShenandoahRed]

Howdy Pards,

I'm just startin' out on the SASS trail. Got my first shootin' iron.

Sunday, I picked-up my FFL transfer side/side 12 ga. hammered coach gun @ Blackwing
Shooting Center. Fired 00 buckshot at an indoor paper target (I'm pleased w/ results). 
Went to Gander Mt. last night to look for some SASS match shot shells and became confused.

From a tip of a Outdoor Channel shotgun expert, I looked for the reduced power Winchester XX 
Target shotshells. SASS uses No. 7 shot, right? I became confused over the variety of Winchester
XX reduced target loads. There were high power target loads, low power target loads, clay pigon
busters, and just Winchester XX target loads.  What do you recommend that I get?

Thanks,

Shenandoah Red
SASS # 90445

[Camille Eonich]

Winchester low noise low recoil AKA featherlite.

http://www.winchester.com/Products/shotshell-ammunition/winlite-low-recoil/low-recoil-low-noise-target-load/Pages/default.aspx

[Curley Cole]

You will find the low noise/low recoil shells sell out real fast. Buy lots when you find them. Also consider shotshell reloading. It is easy and cheap.

either way you want to use a # 7-8 shot, those will knock down anything you choose to shoot at if you do your part.

(seriously, you can get a LeeLoadAll for $40 and be loading your shotshells in no time. Look for the book by Dr Richard Lee called Modern Reloading (I think it is in version 2 now) he tells you step by step how to load shotshells and cartridges and with pictures and explains WHY you are doing what your doing.

good shootin
curley

[Driftwood Johnson]

SASS uses No. 7 shot, right?

Howdy

Actually, no. Officially, SASS states that shot size must be #4 or smaller. However many clubs have local rules specifying that shot has to be smaller than that. The larger the shot, the farther it will travel. Since shotguns are often aimed over the berm, this can be a concern in some places.

Many clubs restrict shot size to #7 1/2 or smaller. So if you limit yourself to # 7 1/2 or #8, you should be fine just about anywhere you go. Don't forget, the larger the number, the smaller the shot. I have never loaded #9, and can't recollect ever seeing any shells loaded with #9. That's awfully small. #7 1/2 or # 8 should do you fine.

[Henry B. Texan]

Howdy!
I see the WW low noise low recoil shells at walmart every now and again, but not at all stores. As mentioned above buy 'em when you see 'em, cause they do go fast!

[Shotgun Franklin]

I've used Remington Heavy Dove Loads for 13 years.  Shot size varies from 6 to 8. They will take down any target you ever hit. The Remington shells are really slick and fall out easily. I use these same shells for squirrel and dove. They also are much cheaper.

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy Again

I know everybody seems to think the low recoil/low noise loads are the bee's knees these days, but frankly, I have never bothered with them myself. If you can find some, well and good, go ahead and buy them. Otherwise, just buy some 2 3/4" 2 3/4 dram loads, either 1 ounce or 1 1/8 ounce. Everybody makes them, Remington STS are the very best, Winchester AA are a close second. And all the cheaper brands like Rio, Federal, and Estate make them too. Personally, I have always used the 1 1/8 ounce loads, because that is what I use for Trap. You may see them marketed as Light Target loads. 1 ounce loads will recoil a little bit less in your light coachgun, so you may want to go with those if you can find them. These loads will probably kick a little bit more than he low recoil/low noise stuff, but it really is not like shooting a howitzer. If you plant the butt firmly on your shoulder like you are supposed to, they will not bruise you or knock you over.

Whatever you do, be wary of the cheap four packs sold by the Big Box stores. Those are usually 3 dram loads, and they will kick way more than you want. Stay down with 2 3/4 drams and everything should be fine. As I said before, if you limit yourself to #7 1/2 or #8 shot, you can feel confident you can shoot them anywhere.

[Camille Eonich]

I use the Estates myself.  Half the price of the Remingtons.

[Abilene]

Camille, are you shooting those Estate shells in a '97 ?  I know a lot of folks who do so with no problem.  I also have seen a lot of (usually new) shooters who have them stick in the chambers of their SxS and have to be pulled out by hand.  This is due to the aluminum (?) base sticking in the chambers.  Now I do know one pard who uses them and they dump out of his SxS easily but he is the exception.

[Camille Eonich]

I've used them in both without problems.  Side by sides can be a bit picky though.  I know some people that won't use anything but green Remingtons and have problems with Winchesters and people that have problems with Winchesters and won't use anything but Remingtons, some like the black shells some say only green.


We have a couple of very, very quick SxS shooters here and I can't use their shells in my SxS.  Yeah, they stick sometimes...

[ShenandoahRed]

Thanks for the replies to my question.  I did not know that shotshell selection could be
so puzzling. 

Shenandoah Red

SASS # 90445