And why aren't they all the same? Doubles is just shooting singles trap, albeit the 2nd clay is a bit farther out. Do you need more speed on that shell, or just a tighter choke? Handicap is just moving progressively farther back from the 16-yd line, no? So why wouldn't (or would it) your doubles 2nd target round be just as lethal in handicap? Does the need change as the handicap yardage increases?
Scorpion8
What makes a load a "Handicap" or "Doubles" load?
You could use a 1145 fps load of #8 shot for 16 yard, the first and second shot in doubles and for 27 yard handicap if you want to.
Marketing: Extra-Lights, Light Target, Heavy Trap Load, Handicap, Sporting Clays each in a 7-1/2 or 8 shot
Now you need to buy ten different boxes of shells when any one will work for all disciplines.
Those are just 1 1/8 ounce options. There are another ten choices if you want to include 1 ounce shells.
Now you need to buy ten different boxes of shells when any one will work for all disciplines.
Those are just 1 1/8 ounce options. There are another ten choices if you want to include 1 ounce shells.
You've probably heard the statement that "shooting trap is 90% mental" (or something vaguely similar to roughly that effect), right...?
We have a conglomeration ( big word for trap shooters ) of comments regarding performance, yet some are talking about fun shooting, some about leagues and meat shoots, and others about competitive ATA shoots.
The level of competition and the acceptable, yet optimal performance of a gun / load combination is perceived differently by each of us.
If I'm shooting against some of the best shooters in my state, region, or the country with a couple hundred bucks invested in entry fees, my outlook on performance is different than a meat shoot when I only have $20 and bragging rights on the line.
If I've done my homework, I'll step to the line knowing my equipment and shells give me the best opportunity to perform.
And if my competition is shooting a load that puts the highest percentage of pellets in the kill zone at the appropriate yardage, I had best do the same!
The level of competition and the acceptable, yet optimal performance of a gun / load combination is perceived differently by each of us.
If I'm shooting against some of the best shooters in my state, region, or the country with a couple hundred bucks invested in entry fees, my outlook on performance is different than a meat shoot when I only have $20 and bragging rights on the line.
If I've done my homework, I'll step to the line knowing my equipment and shells give me the best opportunity to perform.
And if my competition is shooting a load that puts the highest percentage of pellets in the kill zone at the appropriate yardage, I had best do the same!
I've been waiting for Hippie's response, but he must be "grassed" out :240:.......so I'll give it my best shot......... 
If you shoot it for handicap, it's a handicap load. If you shoot it for doubles, it's a doubles load.
If you shoot it for handicap, it's a handicap load. If you shoot it for doubles, it's a doubles load.
1 1/8 ounce of 7 1/2" shot at 1250 fps is about the strongest shell used for handicap. It is made for long distance and maximum pattern effectiveness.
1 1/8 ounce 7 1/2 or 8 shot @ 1200 fps is considered a heavy trap load. Often times used for handicap and second shot doubles.
Shells using less shot and or less speed still work and are used by many.
First shot doubles is usually a softer recoil shell, with smaller shot in a more open choke so the gun jump is less and the shooter can stay down easier.
Second shot doubles is often a heavy trap load or a handicap style load.
There are lots people that use all different combinations. This is a high level view of doubles loads and handicap.
Others can chime in or refine the above description.
1 1/8 ounce 7 1/2 or 8 shot @ 1200 fps is considered a heavy trap load. Often times used for handicap and second shot doubles.
Shells using less shot and or less speed still work and are used by many.
First shot doubles is usually a softer recoil shell, with smaller shot in a more open choke so the gun jump is less and the shooter can stay down easier.
Second shot doubles is often a heavy trap load or a handicap style load.
There are lots people that use all different combinations. This is a high level view of doubles loads and handicap.
Others can chime in or refine the above description.
It is all completely a personal preference type deal. There really aren’t any wrong choices - what ever you the shooter are comfortable and “confident” with.
The top shooters that consistently win do not vary much at all - 1-1/8oz, 2-3/4 dram shells for singles and both shots of doubles, and handicap shell of choice (3 dram equivalent) for handicap.
My Dad used to prescribe to the mindset of shooting 1-1/8oz 8’s on singles, and the second shot of doubles, and then 1-1/8oz 7-1/2’s 3dram equivalent (reloads with less felt recoil, but just as quick) for handicap.
We both generally are happy shooting 1oz 8’s for both shot of doubles these days, with the mindset that you know where both targets are going to be, especially the first target, and generally speaking, because of this, doubles targets are “generally” shot at a shorter or closer distance. This may not be the case for a newer shooter, not having the target experience.
I have gone to shooting my 1oz reloads for both shots on doubles and all singles, and the aforementioned handicap reload, for handicap. I believe that there are more pellets in 1oz of 8 shot than there are in 1-1/8oz of 7-1/2 shot....reloading 1oz is easily more cost effective.
One other aspect is your individual taste in reloading, for tinkering. Nothing and nobody says you can’t have as many different reload recipes as you like. Me, I prefer to minimize, which has me making reloader changes and adjustments less frequently, and that all works for me....
When reloading costs are close to buying factory, I will buy as mamy 1-1/8 oz 8’s that I can get my hands on, and shoot them on singles, both shots on doubles, and handicap back to the 24 yd line.
I have known shooters to get all the inexpensive factory shells they can, and shooting 3 dram 1-1/8oz shells for everything. The only caveat with doing this is staying in the gun, given the recoil, so unless you have an excellent recoil reduction device, this approach may not yield your best scores.....
That all said, most of this topic truly comes down to personal preference, as well as reloading component costs, enjoyment in tinkering with reloading, and confidence in the shell when shooting. As many have pointed out, much of trapshooting is mental.....
The top shooters that consistently win do not vary much at all - 1-1/8oz, 2-3/4 dram shells for singles and both shots of doubles, and handicap shell of choice (3 dram equivalent) for handicap.
My Dad used to prescribe to the mindset of shooting 1-1/8oz 8’s on singles, and the second shot of doubles, and then 1-1/8oz 7-1/2’s 3dram equivalent (reloads with less felt recoil, but just as quick) for handicap.
We both generally are happy shooting 1oz 8’s for both shot of doubles these days, with the mindset that you know where both targets are going to be, especially the first target, and generally speaking, because of this, doubles targets are “generally” shot at a shorter or closer distance. This may not be the case for a newer shooter, not having the target experience.
I have gone to shooting my 1oz reloads for both shots on doubles and all singles, and the aforementioned handicap reload, for handicap. I believe that there are more pellets in 1oz of 8 shot than there are in 1-1/8oz of 7-1/2 shot....reloading 1oz is easily more cost effective.
One other aspect is your individual taste in reloading, for tinkering. Nothing and nobody says you can’t have as many different reload recipes as you like. Me, I prefer to minimize, which has me making reloader changes and adjustments less frequently, and that all works for me....
When reloading costs are close to buying factory, I will buy as mamy 1-1/8 oz 8’s that I can get my hands on, and shoot them on singles, both shots on doubles, and handicap back to the 24 yd line.
I have known shooters to get all the inexpensive factory shells they can, and shooting 3 dram 1-1/8oz shells for everything. The only caveat with doing this is staying in the gun, given the recoil, so unless you have an excellent recoil reduction device, this approach may not yield your best scores.....
That all said, most of this topic truly comes down to personal preference, as well as reloading component costs, enjoyment in tinkering with reloading, and confidence in the shell when shooting. As many have pointed out, much of trapshooting is mental.....
Something that I neglected to reply with is the general idea of the speed of the loads.
The main difference between singles/doubles and handicap is the relative speed with which the loads are by design performing at, to reach the target at the appropriate time (point of impact), given the distance, as well as the target-lead required.
In the same idea as I previously mentioned, the doubles target is generally shot at the shortest or nearest distance to the shooter, followed by the singles target, and lastly, the furthest target being the handicap target.
With that in mind, a doubles/singles shell load, whether 1oz of shot or 1-1/8oz of shot, is generally around 1145 fps. Comparatively, a handicap shell, again, whether 1oz of shot or 1-1/8oz of shot, is generally around 1200-1250 fps.
One can adapt or shoot based on the load, but most prefer to shoot relatively the same, and adapt the load accordingly.
The main difference between singles/doubles and handicap is the relative speed with which the loads are by design performing at, to reach the target at the appropriate time (point of impact), given the distance, as well as the target-lead required.
In the same idea as I previously mentioned, the doubles target is generally shot at the shortest or nearest distance to the shooter, followed by the singles target, and lastly, the furthest target being the handicap target.
With that in mind, a doubles/singles shell load, whether 1oz of shot or 1-1/8oz of shot, is generally around 1145 fps. Comparatively, a handicap shell, again, whether 1oz of shot or 1-1/8oz of shot, is generally around 1200-1250 fps.
One can adapt or shoot based on the load, but most prefer to shoot relatively the same, and adapt the load accordingly.
I can't say anything that really hasn't already been said, but I've observed that there is a noticeable difference in time of when you pull the trigger and when the target breaks once you get beyond the 24ish yard line. My eyes cannot seem to make any difference on singles, doubles, and caps back to around that range.
At the 27 it is noticeable when you are watching others. Therefore, I shoot a faster shell (1250) when we do 27 yard and beyond games. Outside of that, what everyone else said. One shell will do most everything.
At the 27 it is noticeable when you are watching others. Therefore, I shoot a faster shell (1250) when we do 27 yard and beyond games. Outside of that, what everyone else said. One shell will do most everything.
I load only one load for everything because it's much easier and it works. A 1200 fps. load of 1 1/8oz. of hard 7 1/2's does it for me as any reload is the same without having to label the boxes that I use over and over again.
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