Mixing Shot

[Walkabout]

I recently emptied some 20 gauge shells to use the shot in my muzzleloading shotguns.(I don't currently own a 20 gauge shot shell shotgun) most were 7.5, but there were a few 4s. I just mixed them all together. Is there any benefit or downside to mixing shot like that? How does it perform? Thanks

 

[TDM]

Depends on how your gun likes it, you made a kind of “Swan” shot that was a combination of uncommon sizes. May work great.

 

[SciAggie]

I have done that. My shotgun doesn’t pattern quite as well with mixed shot, but it’s not a big enough difference to fret over it.

 

[andy52]

I shoot duplex loads when I'm rabbit hunting #6 and #4, the #4s give me just a bit more range if needed.

 

[PathfinderNC]

I had some 7's in with my 5's. Hit a squirrel some 35 feet up in a tree. Blasted him to smithereens. Not sure what pellets did what but more than a dozen hit him.

 

[dave951]

You can try it. I'd pattern it on paper to decide if there is a benefit but it won't hurt the gun.

 

[ezekiel]

Mixing shot is fine but I would pattern the loads.

 

[Rifleman1776]

No problem and for some kinds of hunting might be an advantage. There are some modern shot shells sold with mixed sizes. Try it, you might like it. I have tried 6s mixed with 7 1/2s. No critter ever committed suicide in front of me but they patterned well. For the record, one smoothie was a 12 ga. (actual 14) Pedersoli double perc. shotgun. The other was my 12 ga. (actual 11 ga.) Pedersoli kit built Brown Bess. I sure do miss being able to shoot that not-so-authentic Bess.

 

[Archer 756]

Walkabout, yes mix any shot, at what $$$ is for shot it is worth doing ​

 

[rich pierce]

I got a turkey a few days ago with mixed 4s and 6s.

 

[hanshi]

If your gun patterns well with mixed shot then go for it.

 

[garypl]

I use reclaimed shot mixed with new shot 50/50 in unmentionables and ML shotguns - my results are the same as using virgin shot. I figure some of the flattened/deformed pellets that spread out from the pattern are what hits my targets that I would otherwise miss! And it's a lot cheaper than just using new shot so I get to enjoy more shooting!

 

[Hermit Tim]

I've been using mixed shot from cut shells since I started shooting smoothies. Where I live there is no place to go buy shot by the bag. I used to be really into modern shotguns and stocked up quite a large pile of shells of various kinds. Now that I have sold most of the modern guns, and only hunt black powder, I've been cutting quite a few. In fact, if you remember those red 12 gauge turkey loads from the nineties that were called Activ, I still have a bunch of those and have been mixing that with no. 6 shot and 7.5/8 shot. All from cut shells. Haven't had much time lately but been trying to get out and pattern my loads here and there when I can. Last week I used this mixture in my .45 smoothbore, .56 smoothbore, and New Englander 12 gauge. I was using raw sheep's wool for wadding over the powder and over the shot. First time I've used wool and highly recommend it. Got good tight patterns at about 25-30 yards with each of them. the smaller shot seemed to spread out quite a bit but the larger shot was more concentrated to the center of the target. Don't know why. It would appear to be a successful pattern for most small game and birds. The last couple loads from the 12 gauge had a little bit of copper coated BB's thrown into the mix. When I get a chance to finish my testing there will be a range report on here with pictures.

I go to the local furniture and appliance stores and get a big box from out back, like a stove or dish washer would come in, and spray paint a few large dots on them for targets. Then off to the dump with my regular garbage when I'm done. Quick, cheap, and easy, and those heavy duty boxes will stand up to a surprising amount of patterning. I haven't found a downside to using shot like this, other than the time it takes to sit there cutting shells open. At the end of the day shot is shot i guess.

 

[Hermit Tim]

I've been using mixed shot from cut shells since I started shooting smoothies. Where I live there is no place to go buy shot by the bag. I used to be really into modern shotguns and stocked up quite a large pile of shells of various kinds. Now that I have sold most of the modern guns, and only hunt black powder, I've been cutting quite a few. In fact, if you remember those red 12 gauge turkey loads from the nineties that were called Activ, I still have a bunch of those and have been mixing that with no. 6 shot and 7.5/8 shot. All from cut shells. Haven't had much time lately but been trying to get out and pattern my loads here and there when I can. Last week I used this mixture in my .45 smoothbore, .56 smoothbore, and New Englander 12 gauge. I was using raw sheep's wool for wadding over the powder and over the shot. First time I've used wool and highly recommend it. Got good tight patterns at about 25-30 yards with each of them. the smaller shot seemed to spread out quite a bit but the larger shot was more concentrated to the center of the target. Don't know why. It would appear to be a successful pattern for most small game and birds. The last couple loads from the 12 gauge had a little bit of copper coated BB's thrown into the mix. When I get a chance to finish my testing there will be a range report on here with pictures.

I go to the local furniture and appliance stores and get a big box from out back, like a stove or dish washer would come in, and spray paint a few large dots on them for targets. Then off to the dump with my regular garbage when I'm done. Quick, cheap, and easy, and those heavy duty boxes will stand up to a surprising amount of patterning. I haven't found a downside to using shot like this, other than the time it takes to sit there cutting shells open. At the end of the day shot is shot i guess.

One more thing: If you are going to cut shells remember to take the brass end and, if you have an old single shot shotgun around, go ahead and pop those primers before throwing them in the trash. Don't want the compactors setting them off at the waste facility. Make sure to completely remove the plastic tube though. Once last year I loaded the remains of a 12 gauge shell after removing the shot into my breech loader without removing that plastic body completely. It separated from the brass part and lodged in the barrel. Like to never got that sucker out. The bad part was I didn't realize it was in there until another guy looking at that gun opened it up and ask me what was in the barrel. Glad he did before anybody shot it again...

 

[sheriff john]

Smaller shot = more pellets (duh). Mixing larger shot = less pellets. For critters (bunnies, squirrels) mixing widely different shot sizes won't make much difference. Quail, doves, clay pigeons - larger shot lessens your chances for hits. Patterning target tells the tale.

Decrepit paper shotshells are sometimes more "disappointing" than "devastating" in performance but can be dangerous when they come apart during shooting. Brass bases can crack, allowing gasses to escape. Paper tubes separate. Squib loads leave wads and other stuff in barrels ...etc. One good thing - they all have shot and wads useful to me.

I use an old-timey "Lee Loader" to pop out primers, dump powder on the garden.

 

[cynthialee]

I load the blunderbuss with F shot (.220) and 7.5 shot.
Seems to make a nice big splatter pattern on the targets. Would hate to be on the business end of that deck clearer.

 

[lbothell]

My trade gun is a .72 not a traditional size for sure, the barrel is thin and light and definitely is a cylinder bore. I didn’t have much shot for it and an old timer told be that back in the day they mixed shot bc that’s all they had, so I did the same. Now I don’t shoot more the 20yrds any way but fir anything Iv had down range the mix shot has done its job! I love the advice the old man gave me. A gentleman has given me some nice shot that I probably could use but I’m still using up all the shot I mixed years ago haha that’s the great thing about this, you can get a crazy as you would like or you can keep it as simple as you like the sky’s the limit