shot size

[kingsax26]

So im getting ready to order my stuff for my new smooth bore....Is there a particular shot size that works best ir is better?? Im going to be shooting a .58/ 24 bore I was going to use #6 shot but it seems like it can be hard to find. Is there a better alternative? Also how well does reclaimed shot pattern ? I see it for sale online for pretty reasonable prices when the shipping is free. Is it worth ordering?

 

[Lonegun1894]

I can't speak for the reclaimed shot as I've never used it, but I use #6 in my .54 and it works great for me.

 

[azmntman]

Never used reclaimed shot. # 6 would be good but if hard to find you may settle at #5. # 7.5 likely to small for anything bigger than quail etc. I use 4 in my 20GA for anything but quail and smaller. Get a small quantity before ordering bulk as what shoots best will be a BIG factor in what you'll wanna stick with. Just my opinion! Good luck!

 

[biliff]

Reclaimed shot is a variety of shot sizes, hardness and not particularly round shot. Consequently, it doesn't pattern very well. I use it for non-critical situations like CAS. Knocking down a steel plate at 8-12 yds doesn't call for much in the way of patterns.

For wingshooting, get the good stuff. What size you get will depend on your intended target.

 

[ord sgt]

Shot size will depend on what is your target. #7,or #8 for clay targets.
For hunting small animals #5. Bigger game, buckshot or roundball.

 

[ord sgt]

Shot size will depend on what is your target. #7,or #8 for clay targets.
For hunting small animals #5. Bigger game, buckshot or roundball.

 

[kingsax26]

ok thanks all ...I am really only looking at shooting squirrels and rabbits..I dont get into bird hunting unless I happen to scare one up while walking..so Im thinking t hat I will go with some #5 or#6 shot. I think that would be a good compromise ...does anyone have a few pounds they wanna sell or trade for ? That way I can see how its gonna shoot...otherwidse I ahve to buy a 25lb bag ...well I I can always melt it down if it doesnt pattern well

 

[jackpine54]

I like 5 shot but got caught a sale on shot and they only had 4 and 6.
So I bought them. Now I mix them 50/50 and works great for squirrels and rabbits.

 

[THBailey]

We use reclaimed shot when hunting quail, and sometimes dove, where the shots are close and fast. I've never patterned but I think it spreads quicker all else being equal. Don't know if it's price competitive for you, but Rotometals is a source for shot.

http://www.rotometals.com/Lead-Shot-s/64.htm

 

[Beerd2]

for rabbits and squirrels I use 00 buck, load them one at a time in a .36 finter.
..

 

[Rifleman1776]

I consider #7 1/2 the all-around size. Great for tree rats and other critters. Have also used for trap shooting. Of course, a larger size for turkeys.

 

[rafterob]

I have been using the reclaimed shot for about 1 1/2 years now. Seems to pattern well enough and I can knock down clay birds with it. Considering you get twice as much for the same price I think it is well worth any slight ballistic capabilities.

 

[ohio ramrod]

I use 6 on rabbits and pheasants, 4 on geese & turkey 7 1/2 for trap. :idunno:

 

[Brokennock]

In my 20 gauge I mostly run 4s and 5s for lead and 5s or 6s for Heavy Shot. 7.5s may pattern well and have the energy for just one or a few to kill a rabbit cleanly, but it would take too much of it to kill a squirrel and I don't want to pick it out of the pot pie later. I try to get them with the edge of the pattern and if you give em too much, it's more shot in the meat, not enough and they might get to the nest before they die. 4s may pattern thin but get the job done with just a couple pellets but I like 5s best a pellet or two stops em dead and even if they take more of the pattern than I'd like there's less shot to pick out and easier to pick it out.
The Heavy Shot 5s and 6s are for Turkey mostly, but I load them up for the rare occasion I take after coyote.

 

[kingsax26]

wow...who would ahve thought there are so many options and choices...just to go hunt some bunnies n squirrels lol. seems to be the average is #4-6 so maybe ill split the difference and go with #5

 

[Wes/Tex]

seems to be the average is #4-6 so maybe ill split the difference and go with #5

That's exactly what I did some years ago and didn't look back. I'm an 'odd size' guy, keep 3, 5, 7 & 9 around and would even get some #1's if anyone still made them, but probably use 5's about 95% of the time. :thumbsup:

 

[Flintlock58]

You may want to pattern some duplex loads too! I have had good results on large canada geese with BB/ #1, BB/#3 in steel and in ITX. I have used #2 steel with #5 ITX on late season ducks and #4/#6 ITX for turkeys. I dont always use these combos, but experimented when I had shot to use up before deciding on another order.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

wow...who would ahve thought there are so many options and choices...just to go hunt some bunnies n squirrels lol. seems to be the average is #4-6 so maybe ill split the difference and go with #5

What you need to do is to try these various sizes in your gun and see what works best on paper putting a good number of pellets in the center of the target. I have a caplock 20 bore SxS that loves #7½, and knocks down squirrels and pheasant and grouse, but for some reason doesn't pattern well at all with #6.

I have a flintlock 20 bore that hates #7½, and does much better with #6 and #5 shot.

You have to remember as the size number of the shot goes down... so does the number of pellets if you are using the same measure. So in your 24 bore 3/4 of an ounce of #5 is a lot fewer pellets (126 pellets) than when you use 3/4 of an ounce of #7½ (254 pellets), but the pellets retain killing momentum at a longer distance than the #7½.

A good "backyard" testing method is first to pattern the load, then take an empty steel, tuna can, and place it end-on at the distance that you plan to shoot. Shoot the can and see if any of the pellets striking the can failed to penetrate. In a good load, nearly all or all should go through.

#8.......averages 399 pellets per ounce
#7½....averages 338 pellets per ounce
#7.......averages 291 pellets per ounce
#6.......averages 218 pellets per ounce
#5.......averages 168 pellets per ounce
#4.......averages 132 pellets per ounce

So the #5 gives you about 1/2 the amount of pellets as the #7½, but each pellet is individually heavier.

LD

 

[azmntman]

How long did it take you too count all those? :rotf:

 

[Rifleman1776]

split the difference and go with #5

Split it some more. :shocked2: I used to prefer and used #5 1/2 for pheasants when I was a kid. Of course, modern 12 ga. and could only afford to buy a few shells at a time. Is that size still made?