[Hap MecTweaks]

"I have broken some very good scores with 9's.. . but then I have broken some very poor scores with 9's. Several factors control the answer to your question."

Jerry, U sayin U ain't shot enny bad scores with larger shot?

Bill, I've used them for first shot on dbls and singles too. One ounce for singles out of a tight full with a little gusto. Keeps a tad more energy on the bird at my breaking distances. Like Jerry says, it depends on several factors in how they may perform for your style and timing on making shots.

Hap

 

[gncc600]

I have used them from the 16 and never noticed my scores being any worse. I do not use them when the weather gets cold though. They tend to bounce off in really cold weather.

 

[Buckeye]

You are looking for a "fix" that isn't; going to 9's isn't the answer to improving someone's shooting. Unless I had a bunch of 9's I wanted to get rid of I wouldn't bother with loading them just to try and find an advantage at short yardage trap. Most loads of 8's or 7 1/2's are fine in trap chokes at the 16 yard line and handicap as well. Its where you point the stick that makes the difference.

 

[phirel]

I use #8 shot from the 16; however, I seriously doubt if I could tell the difference between 9,8 and 7.5 shot. I do use 7.5 shot for handicap but at times I have shot #8 shot from the 27 and did not notice any difference. I do not use #9 for my first shot of doubles because I don't want to keep three sizes of shot around.

For me, the shot size is more of a mental thing. I don't think my gun cares about the shot size.

Pat Ireland

 

[hmb]

With 7/8 oz of 9s you can get the velocity increased to where the energy is also increased and they work very well. I like a full choke with this load. HMB

 

[John Browning]

The question I have about shot size, if your pattern is not any bigger, why is it a advantage if any to shoot smaller shot. I also feel that if you open up the pattern you loose the advantage, of small shot, because it takes more shot to break the target.
I also would like to see the ATA go to 1 oz. of bismuth and 3 hole targets, this would elminate the need for more concrete and save a lot of clubs problems with shot curtians, shooting over water,ect.
John Moore

 

[Bird30]

John the problem with bismuth is that a lot of shooters can't aford to shoot it.

Dave

 

[John Browning]

Dave
I know the cost of bismuth is high now, but the Army is switching to it. I also heard that it is abundant and there are a lot of mines in South America that are closed, because of little demand for it.
John

 

[Savage99Stan]

It isn't always about increasing the size of the pattern but the density in the pattern. A modified choke is going to throw the same size patters regardless of the size of the shot. Going to a smaller shot size with the same weight will put more shot into the "circle" and fill in (hopefully) some of the holes through which a bird might escape. That said, I don't use anything smaller than 8s for trap and save the 9s for skeet, my winter distraction.

 

[Gary Waalkes]

one ounce #8 1/2s, 25 thousands choke smokes 16 yard targets. I suspect #9s will also. But I agree Buckeye, shot size or a greater quantity of shot in a load will not improve an average.

 

[BDodd]

At least 1/2 of my several 100s at the 16 yard line have been with 7/8 oz of 9s (the rest with 1 oz of 8s), 544 of the little pellets. I don't change chokes from 16 to all the way back although I'm on the 25 now. Why load them? someone asked. In my case they were designed originally for a skeet load but I found they were quite effective on singles, 1st shot of doubles, many sporting shots, and skeet so why beat myself up with heavier loads of shot that tend to knock me out of the gun?...breakemall......Bob Dodd

 

[biff]

I wish everybody used 9's. Biff

 

[Hap MecTweaks]

Biffer, no shot size works well with a two bit aim? LMAO Hap

 

[Hap MecTweaks]

Biffer, not long back, Tom did break the 100 singles,,,,,,,,,,with 9s.

My last one was with the same?

Buckeye is correct, it's the point. ME

 

[biff]

If that is the case don't let Tom near the 9's, you ought to go to 7 1/2's also!!!