[RRisumshake a lrg]

If you are a winter shooter you will see a difference.8 even 8 1/2 works great in warm weather. below freezing 7 1/2 is all I go with. Have found many birds with holes in the in the snow that never broke.

 

[CharlieAMA]

It was 97 here today. It's not winter yet. Cold front tomorrow. Boy, this is fixing to be a long one!

 

[porthos]

of all of the shooting sites that i frequent (rifle pistol and handgun) this site has the most idiots!!!!!!!

 

[pheasantmaster]

Interesting...your logic is the opposite of everyone I have seen/heard, who all advocate 8's for singles, 7.5 for handicap. This leads me to two possible conclusions
1. You are messing with the OP (a very likely scenario)
2. You should use 9's for handicap to further increase your odds of multiple hits

Unfortunately, using smaller shot doesn't lead to enough of a higher probability of "one more" pellet strike to justify the loss of energy/velocity compared to larger shot. You only get 17% more 8's (compared to 7.5's) so at most that one pellet strike with 7.5s becomes 1.17 pellet strikes with 8's. Since pellets only come in eaches, you don't get "one more" pellet strike unless you already are getting many, many strikes with 7.5's. And at that point it doesn't matter.

Oh I choke her down good with those 8’s on the 27. I’m sure that Iam putting 3-4 of those roughly 70 extra 8’s on the target.
When in doubt, I’ll just pull a Mueller out.

 

[Ram Rod]

Shameless Plug.

I can’t believe you would make such a baceless accusation.
I have always held you in the highest regards until now.

 

[WillM]

 

[Trap60]

Oh I choke her down good with those 8’s on the 27. I’m sure that Iam putting 3-4 of those roughly 70 extra 8’s on the target.
When in doubt, I’ll just pull a Mueller out.

Lol, and that’s the BEST place for a Mueller choke tube- OUT! As in out of
the barrel!

 

[Carl_in_NH]

The best answer to the age old question of #7.5 or #8 is to use #7 3/4 shot.

You’re welcome.

 

[Bowhunter41]

Wait Carl in NH. They actually make 7.75 shot!!

JK 😜

 

[wadcrusher]

Interesting...your logic is the opposite of everyone I have seen/heard, who all advocate 8's for singles, 7.5 for handicap. This leads me to two possible conclusions
1. You are messing with the OP (a very likely scenario)
2. You should use 9's for handicap to further increase your odds of multiple hits

Unfortunately, using smaller shot doesn't lead to enough of a higher probability of "one more" pellet strike to justify the loss of energy/velocity compared to larger shot. You only get 17% more 8's (compared to 7.5's) so at most that one pellet strike with 7.5s becomes 1.17 pellet strikes with 8's. Since pellets only come in eaches, you don't get "one more" pellet strike unless you already are getting many, many strikes with 7.5's. And at that point it doesn't matter.

you failed to factor in flight time to target and the amount of extra lead

 

[Paladin]

Quote,
"As many have stated on the numerous other threads covering this topic (or beating it to death), all shells are a mix of sizes anyway. Some Cheddite shells I got my hands on recently were particularly bad"

Pellet count of 164 in a 9/8 oz load?
You must be referring to size 4 shot. Or, your numbers are bogus.


Quote,
"But a bag of Heper shot that was marked 7 1/2 gave me this result"

Well, I have bags of Heper 7.5 from 2023 and 2024. And they yield actual pellet counts of 406 and 409 for 9/8oz drops.

And, how are you determining the size differentiation?

 

[Annie Oakley 734]

Because I reload I make a custom duplex load consisting of 75% 7.5’s and 25% 8.5’s. The 8.5’s fill the holes in the pattern of the 7.5’s.

Well… I was just thinking about doing this tonight because I ran out of #8. I was going to go 50-50 but I think I will try it your way.

 

[Accuracy Analytics LLC]

Quote,
"As many have stated on the numerous other threads covering this topic (or beating it to death), all shells are a mix of sizes anyway. Some Cheddite shells I got my hands on recently were particularly bad"

Pellet count of 164 in a 9/8 oz load?
You must be referring to size 4 shot. Or, your numbers are bogus.


Quote,
"But a bag of Heper shot that was marked 7 1/2 gave me this result"

Well, I have bags of Heper 7.5 from 2023 and 2024. And they yield actual pellet counts of 406 and 409 for 9/8oz drops.

And, how are you determining the size differentiation?

My bad, the Cheddite shell results are based off a 1/2 ounce sample of shot removed from the shells. These were nominally 1 ounce loads but it was easier to check a sample to get a true weight. I suspect the Cheddite shells use the softest of pellets with little to no antimony.
The Heper shot is a 1 ounce sample. The 372 pellets per ounce would net to about 418 for 1 1/8 ounce. I had several other bags of Heper that looked better, but I didn't check them. This bag looks visibly small even with just a glance.
I am measuring the diameter optically - I may offer this as a tool in the future if I feel it is repeatable and user-friendly.

 

[kevinl]

https://www.trapshooters.com/posts/9561374/

 

[pheasantmaster]

My bad, the Cheddite shell results are based off a 1/2 ounce sample of shot removed from the shells. These were nominally 1 ounce loads but it was easier to check a sample to get a true weight. I suspect the Cheddite shells use the softest of pellets with little to no antimony.
The Heper shot is a 1 ounce sample. The 372 pellets per ounce would net to about 418 for 1 1/8 ounce. I had several other bags of Heper that looked better, but I didn't check them. This bag looks visibly small even with just a glance.
I am measuring the diameter optically - I may offer this as a tool in the future if I feel it is repeatable and user-friendly.

So your not actually physically measuring pellets but rather optically analyzing them to produce your graphs?

 

[Accuracy Analytics LLC]

So your not actually physically measuring pellets but rather optically analyzing them to produce your graphs?

Yes. I have physically measured enough (as a check) to have a high level of confidence in my numbers. I analyze each pellet and have checked LOTS to confirm. Of course, there is some variation but measuring less than perfectly round pellets physically has its own range of variation. Here are the Cheddite pellets.

 

[Accuracy Analytics LLC]

So your not actually physically measuring pellets but rather optically analyzing them to produce your graphs?

Here is a 1/2 ounce sample of Noble Sport 7 steel. I use this for development because it is MUCH more consistent, although just a little small. Most of the shot falls right on the line between 7 and 7.5. The steel shot is also (not surprisingly) much rounder as well.

 

[Accuracy Analytics LLC]

I suspect he's using an optical comparator, which are highly accurate. Pure speculation though.

Similar technology, the same principle, but no $20,000 piece of equipment necessary. I hope to roll this out soon but need to figure out the best way to let loose in the wild.

 

[Fieldstone]

 

[pheasantmaster]

View attachment 2037097

Absolutely 🤪
From the 24 and closer it don’t matter diddly squat whether 7.5 or 8’s.
From the 25-27 it’s what your mind believes but good quality hard 8’s (Heper-STS-Super Handicap-etc) will have sufficient energy to acquire the target if you allow your mind to believe.