Is it okay to only practice with target loads?

Pops1085 · May 11, 2013, 05:44 PM

I'm talking about home defense and if I already have tested the pattern on buckshot and slugs is it okay to just blast away with the cheap target loads to build up some muscle memory or is it super imperative that I keep shooting buck?

rcase1234 · May 11, 2013, 05:54 PM

I don't see a problem with using target loads just to do a little practice. Just remember with the real loads, expect more recoil

Uncle Malice · May 11, 2013, 06:58 PM

I like to shoot target loads for about 75% of a shooting session. Usually I'll start off with a bit of buck shot or slugs to remember "this is what it feels like". Then I'll step down to target loads for a while... then finish up with buck/slugs again.

Also, I recommend playing around with making your own wax slugs. You can make some utterly devastating rounds out of some cheap 7 shot target loads with a little parafin wax. They're very easy to make, too. Check around on YouTube. These are one of my favorite loads to shoot when I'm just dinking around in the desert shooting milk jugs and bottles full of water.

jrothWA · May 11, 2013, 09:21 PM

target loads, either trap / skeet and some "practical" shotgun exercises.

BUT do use the HD ammo so you are familiar with the recoil and recovery that those loads entail.

Tony615 · May 11, 2013, 10:08 PM

Yes if you can use target loads but as others have said, you still need to practice with HD loads. The indoor gun range I go to I can only fire buckshot or rifled slugs and no steel shot or birdshot is allowed to fired. I usually fire full power #4 buckshot rounds when I go to the range.

May 11, 2013, 05:44 PM	#1
Pops1085 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Posts: 369	Is it okay to only practice with target loads? I'm talking about home defense and if I already have tested the pattern on buckshot and slugs is it okay to just blast away with the cheap target loads to build up some muscle memory or is it super imperative that I keep shooting buck?

May 11, 2013, 06:58 PM	#3
Uncle Malice Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2009 Location: Phoenix Posts: 4,580	I like to shoot target loads for about 75% of a shooting session. Usually I'll start off with a bit of buck shot or slugs to remember "this is what it feels like". Then I'll step down to target loads for a while... then finish up with buck/slugs again. Also, I recommend playing around with making your own wax slugs. You can make some utterly devastating rounds out of some cheap 7 shot target loads with a little parafin wax. They're very easy to make, too. Check around on YouTube. These are one of my favorite loads to shoot when I'm just dinking around in the desert shooting milk jugs and bottles full of water. __________________ Handguns: 2x Glock 19.4 \| Glock 26.4 \| HK USP 9 \| HK P2000 \| HK VP9 SK \| HK P30 \| CZ Shadow 2 \| CZ P-10 C \| CZ P-07 \| CZP-01 \| S&W 360PD Rifles: DDM4 \| SGL 21 \| SAM7K \| Draco \| PSA PDW SBR \| ASA Side-Charger SBR \| CZ Scorpion K SBR \| Aero M4E1 9" 300blk SBR \| Angstadt Jack9 SBR \| Savage Mark II FV-SR Shotguns: Mossberg 590A1 20" SP \| Mossberg Shockwave

May 11, 2013, 10:08 PM	#5
Tony615 Member Join Date: April 25, 2012 Posts: 54	Is it okay to only practice with target loads? Yes if you can use target loads but as others have said, you still need to practice with HD loads. The indoor gun range I go to I can only fire buckshot or rifled slugs and no steel shot or birdshot is allowed to fired. I usually fire full power #4 buckshot rounds when I go to the range. Last edited by Tony615; May 12, 2013 at 12:08 AM.

May 11, 2013, 05:54 PM	#2
rcase1234 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 407	I don't see a problem with using target loads just to do a little practice. Just remember with the real loads, expect more recoil

May 11, 2013, 09:21 PM	#4
jrothWA Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Posts: 2,519	Get to know your firearm, therefore use ... target loads, either trap / skeet and some "practical" shotgun exercises. BUT do use the HD ammo so you are familiar with the recoil and recovery that those loads entail.