QUOTE="mike campbell, post: 2459436, member: 29919"]This is a good post that gets to the heart of the matter of ammo selection.
Clearly an 1100 fps load of #7.5 doesn't give up "target-smashing ability" to one that one that starts at 1300 fps. While the slower load starts out with 30% less energy, when it gets to 60 yds the difference is half that.....still plenty to "smash" targets.
My "mental block" with high fps is about confidence. In competition, if I think it matters, it matters. Nothing affects my scores in competition like the slightest loss of confidence. In trap, I start with equipment I have the utmost confidence in and it never waivers. I've shot enough sporting clays and FITASC to know what gives me 100% confidence. It's a minimum of 1250 fps. At 1200 fps or less, I can smash targets.....but I can see the delay at about the 50 yd mark. If I'm pulling the trigger and have time to register "crap, I missed.... " and then the target breaks, that doesn't build confidence.
I'd shoot the maximum payload at the maximum velocity if I could get away with it. I don't because I know the recoil will effect my performance...through fatigue, flinching and eventually loss of confidence. With all the possible combinations I could use, I have un-wavering confidence in my ability to perform at my best with 1 ounce of #7.5 @1250 +/- 25 fps. YMMV.
That's pretty much what John Wilgus said..."Nitro 27 7 1/2's. No guesswork. One oz for Fitasc"[/QUOTE]
Mike,
Great comments too!
20 and some years ago we used the 1-1/4 pigeon loads for FITASC. To me it was a mental crutch I had to break. It seems like too many guys get caught up in the "Technical Edge". Actually experimented with the AA Int'l 7/8 oz 7-1/2 1325 fps load some time ago. Ran my first parcour ever in FITASC with it. Out of a semi auto it's so very sweet to shoot. However they are hard to find and eventually just went back to one ounce low velocity loads (I have confidence in them and my ability and switched to an O/U). A good friend that I have been shooting with for that entire time likes to favor the 1350 1oz loads. We shoot the bigger tournaments and will break the same targets at the same distances. I supect that if he were to reduce to a slower load he would still be as effective. That cumulative recoil ain't your friend.
