Best shot size for trap

coldshot · March 24, 2009, 10:56 PM

I have noticed that other shooters completely dust their clays when they hit them. Some times this happens for me, but most of the time I flick off a chip or two. I am hitting the clays though, and I was wondering if #8 or #9 shot is more effective. I have been using #7-1/2, 2-3/4" 20 gage shells.

Scubasimmons · March 24, 2009, 11:07 PM

I would say you are not hitting them square rather than it being the wrong shot size selection . 7-1/2 should be fine for shooting clays. I usually use 7-1/2 or 8 (usually what I am shooting for Doves or quail).

1911 Shooter · March 24, 2009, 11:10 PM

the old saying cokes are in inches & misses are always in feetcomes to mind.

MatchKingMK · March 24, 2009, 11:11 PM

I've used all 3 it's just how squarely you hit them is all. 7 1/2 will give you better range but with a 20ga I would try #8. It also take alot of practice. I just started shooting skeet, 5 stand and trap about a year and a half ago but since then I have shot better than 70K rounds, and I still don't hit them all or dust em for that matter but you will get better with alot of practice. Oh and pattern you shotgun to see if your hitting high or right etc etc. That will help alot.

Best of luck your doing more of my favorite shooting sport than I am right now.

zippy13 · March 25, 2009, 02:09 AM

Greetings Coldshot, and welcome aboard,

Quote:

...most of the time I flick off a chip or two.

A chip counts as a dead bird, what's the problem? The big question is, are the chips coming from the same part of the target each time -- are you always shooting the top off, or the bottom, or the head, or the tail, or are you all over the place? If you're consistently hitting the same spot, adjust your leads to hit them in the center. If you're all over the place, practice until you get consistent. No worries, 7-1/2 shot is the traditional load for trap.
You didn't mention what choke you're using. If you've got something like improved cylinder don't expect your 20-ga to hit 'em as hard as the next guy's 12-ga with a trap choke.

BigJimP · March 25, 2009, 02:54 PM

For 16 yard Trap - I think 8's are plenty big enough to give you solid breaks - if you are on them. I like a Modified choke at the 16 yard line for Trap.

7/8 oz is all a lot of Trap shooters use for 16 - 20 yard line too ( even in a 12ga ).

If you reload - you can also go to 1 oz of 8's in the 20ga, if you want to.

coldshot · March 25, 2009, 10:57 PM

I am using an improved cylinder choke, my milano came with 3 including a modified & a full choke which would be better for 16 yards. and thankyou.

Gazzmann · March 25, 2009, 11:23 PM

8's work for me. Good pattern.

olddrum1 · March 26, 2009, 01:31 AM

Welcome aboard Coldshot. It is a pleasure to have you here. If I were using a 20 on the sixteen in trap I would start with a full choke and during warm weather use eights. If your scores go up stay with it. If they go down, change to the modified. Zippy13 is correct in that 7 1/2 is the shot of choice but with the twenty you have a few more pellets.

Trap line terminology
Dusting a clay target is a clear miss. You are sure you hit it but no visible pieces came off of it. Smoking a clay target is a spectacular hit.

coldshot · March 26, 2009, 10:21 PM

Thanks again to all. I will all these recommendations on saturday at the range.

coldshot · March 28, 2009, 10:46 PM

I got much better results with the full choke in the gun today, and still shooting 7 - 1/2 SHOT . Thanks to all.

March 24, 2009, 10:56 PM	#1
coldshot Junior Member Join Date: December 28, 2008 Posts: 13	Best shot size for trap I have noticed that other shooters completely dust their clays when they hit them. Some times this happens for me, but most of the time I flick off a chip or two. I am hitting the clays though, and I was wondering if #8 or #9 shot is more effective. I have been using #7-1/2, 2-3/4" 20 gage shells.

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March 24, 2009, 11:07 PM	#2
Scubasimmons Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 119	I would say you are not hitting them square rather than it being the wrong shot size selection . 7-1/2 should be fine for shooting clays. I usually use 7-1/2 or 8 (usually what I am shooting for Doves or quail).

March 24, 2009, 11:10 PM	#3
1911 Shooter Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2006 Posts: 124	the old saying cokes are in inches & misses are always in feetcomes to mind.

March 24, 2009, 11:11 PM	#4
MatchKingMK Member Join Date: March 24, 2009 Location: Kodiak, Alaska Posts: 24	I've used all 3 it's just how squarely you hit them is all. 7 1/2 will give you better range but with a 20ga I would try #8. It also take alot of practice. I just started shooting skeet, 5 stand and trap about a year and a half ago but since then I have shot better than 70K rounds, and I still don't hit them all or dust em for that matter but you will get better with alot of practice. Oh and pattern you shotgun to see if your hitting high or right etc etc. That will help alot. Best of luck your doing more of my favorite shooting sport than I am right now.

March 25, 2009, 02:54 PM	#6
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	For 16 yard Trap - I think 8's are plenty big enough to give you solid breaks - if you are on them. I like a Modified choke at the 16 yard line for Trap. 7/8 oz is all a lot of Trap shooters use for 16 - 20 yard line too ( even in a 12ga ). If you reload - you can also go to 1 oz of 8's in the 20ga, if you want to.

March 25, 2009, 10:57 PM	#7
coldshot Junior Member Join Date: December 28, 2008 Posts: 13	I am using an improved cylinder choke, my milano came with 3 including a modified & a full choke which would be better for 16 yards. and thankyou.

March 25, 2009, 11:23 PM	#8
Gazzmann Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2007 Location: South Florida Posts: 133	8's work for me. Good pattern.

March 26, 2009, 01:31 AM	#9
olddrum1 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 807	Welcome aboard Coldshot. It is a pleasure to have you here. If I were using a 20 on the sixteen in trap I would start with a full choke and during warm weather use eights. If your scores go up stay with it. If they go down, change to the modified. Zippy13 is correct in that 7 1/2 is the shot of choice but with the twenty you have a few more pellets. Trap line terminology Dusting a clay target is a clear miss. You are sure you hit it but no visible pieces came off of it. Smoking a clay target is a spectacular hit.

March 26, 2009, 10:21 PM	#10
coldshot Junior Member Join Date: December 28, 2008 Posts: 13	Thanks again to all. I will all these recommendations on saturday at the range.

March 28, 2009, 10:46 PM	#11
coldshot Junior Member Join Date: December 28, 2008 Posts: 13	I got much better results with the full choke in the gun today, and still shooting 7 - 1/2 SHOT . Thanks to all.