Why change the shells that worked excellent until Neil Winston's intervention for higher speeds. Targets are easier to change and Uniformity throughout the Organization is the result. GB....................................DLS
Remember a 1250 fps 1 1/8th oz shell is a 3 1/4 Dram Eq shell GB..........................................DLS
Neil Winston's Results are you can legally shoot a 1 1/8th oz shell 1250fps + or- 90fps = 1340fps, this is the extreme legal ATA Target Shell now, strictly from his intervention on the shell rules. GB............................................DLS
With all the Reloading Testing Equipment, a shooter can load the max speed shell by testing his shells w/a CHRONO. that is it in a nutshell. GB.......................................DLS
I do not want to get in this CRAP again, just restating what happened. And what can be LOADED ,DONE LEGALLY now GB..........................DLS
It will not be time until someone convinces the majority of shooters that their scores will not decline as a result. It took decades of clay target shooting before the reduction from 1 1/4 oz. to 1 1/8 oz. In just 10 short years, we will celebrate 100 years of utilizing the 1 1/8 oz. shot rule. Thank you George S. McCarty for overseeing the construction of the Vandalia Homegrounds in 1923-24, getting to fire the first shot on the grounds, and for lowering the shot charge for the 1926 Target Year. We sure need another George McCarty today for many reasons. Come on now Doc, you know the only desired change for targets is to make them easier not more challenging. Higher and straight scores is what shooters want, not the chance to win a nice pot of money by breaking a 95, 96 or 97 in handicap. I was just reviewing the 1922 Average Book and the rules during that time. Look at the setting for Doubles. The most desirable flights were 32°, ten (10°) degrees wider that the 22° Singles and Handicap setting we shot until it was reduced to 17° in 1996 for the 1997 target year. 38 Delegates voted in favor of easier targets; 14 voted against and 1 abstained (Wyoming). Mississippi voted against the motion, favoring the traditional 3-hole 22° target. Enjoy Our History !
Anyone who wants to shoot girly loads can do so now and save all that money, but that's no reason to force the rest of the shooters to shoot these wimpy shells. You can save even more by staying home!
Class act there Michael. Uninviting people in our sport because they are trying to put more sport in the sport. 3 1/4 dram shells are bs. Once ounce may help fix the handicap. jmho I haven't met a person yet that can shoot 100 straight from the 27 consistently with one ounce loads. Maybe Mike?
I agree with you Michael, (Anyone can do so now), except your reference to 1 oz. shells being "girly loads". The historical point I'm making is that for clay target shooting shotshell loads have declined from 3 1/2 to 3 1/4, then to 3 dram finally stopping at the present 2 3/4 drams. And the amount of shot from the once thought necessary 1 1/4 oz. to 1 1/8 oz., which became the standard shot-charge discussed from 1919 by the American Trapshooting Association and mandated by the ATA (Amateur Trapshooting Association) about 1926 I believe. Personally I don't care if the 1 1/8 oz. of shot standard remains but likewise, it would not cause me to stop shooting if the rule was changed to make 1 oz. the maximum shot charge. Heck, I've watched guys absolutely demolish targets using 7/8 oz. from long yardage. I've pretty much always used 1 1/8 oz. loads myself, but I'm reminded of the below article written by one of my favorite shooter-writers of all time in 1979. May he rest in peace. I say shoot what you wish - but please . . . . . . . Enjoy Our History !
I have no problems with one ounce target loads. I do have a problem with people that think they have a right to tell experienced trap shooters what loads they should use. I doubt if any of the people wanting lighter loads have ever excelled at the sport. It sounds like the old saying, if you can not excel then teach, or try to. Roger C.
Roger, have you mentioned to the ATA you plan to shoot 1 1/2 ounce loads? Do you shoot 1 1/2 ounce loads? Do you shoot 1 1/4 ounce loads? What do you think they will say when they find out? So the more experience you have the larger the load you get to use? hmmmm Longshot should be able to use 2 ounces then? The above article posted by HB says better pointing would be required for 1 ounce loads. Are you a bad pointer?
HB I would have loved to see Vic Reindeers take on Neil Winston on his Shell thesis/Study & Dram Eq. GB...........................................DLS
live oak, I used to shoot 3 1/4 X 1/14 oz. of nickle or copper plated shot That was the old international load used years ago. We also used it at live bird. I have shot over 325,000 registered targets, yes I most likely am qualified to shoot 1 1/2 ox loads. I have made several suggestions to the ATA , but so far they have ignored my advise. Roger C.
I grabbed some One Oz Nitro 27's by mistake at a shoot one day, didn't realize it until I went back to get the 2 boxes for the second 50 on the next trap ... I was smoking the handicap targets (27Yds) with the exception of very few ... I waited with our "Quick Squad " while the squad in front of use finished their last 15 or so targets, but kept thinking about those damn shells and them being 1 oz instead of 1 1/8 ... Just about the time I made up my mind to go and get some other shells the squad I was on was taking the field so I reluctantly went to shoot rather than not be on time ... I was down 1 target in the first 50 so i figured the hell with it, go for it ... Long story short, I dropped 2 targets on the second 50 for a 97 and won the handicap , if I had not been so damned short sighted and just shot I might of even shot better, just could not get those 1 oz shells out of my mind ... I'm not sure if I would shoot 1 oz all the time as Vic did, but I would not give them a second thought if by chance I ended up with them in my pouch again ... Mind games will make you or break you even on your best day , so be positive and go for it ... WPT ... (YAC) ...
Looking at it from a money standpoint, at $35.00 a bag for shot, you only save a $1.10 on a hundred shells. Hardly worthwhile when you consider all the other cost involved such entrée fees, travel, equipment, and sometimes lodging. New one ounce shells seem to run about the same as standard trap loads.
I shoot all new shells any way so I do not take into consideration the cost factors that someone who reloads would probably take into consideration ... The 1 oz shells got mixed in some how by accident, I would not of bought them intentionally before winning that handicap with them, now I am not to sure ... If they break targets they break targets , they are fine by me ... WPT ... (YAC) ...
That is 45 extra shells from a bag of shot. That is a lot for a blue collar shooter like me or a dad with 2 kids shooting. 7/8 ounce would be better.
209, You are allowed to shoot 7/8 oz. loads. You are not allowed to shoot loads in excess of 1 1/8 oz. Bunker shooters shoot 7/8 oz. loads, but they are a little faster than normal trap loads. go for it, if you want to. Roger C.
209, as Roger points out, you can shoot your 7/8 or 1 ounce shells if desired, but you wanting to save money is no reason for everyone else to have to make the change to them. The 1 1/8 ounce load in trap has been the standard for close to 100 years as you can read above. I'm as blue collar as one can get, as well as a senior vet and someday may shoot 1 ounce, but won't expect everyone else to change because I can no longer handle the recoil of a standard trap load. If I should decide to shoot a H&R or similar cost firearm for trap, should everyone be forced to shoot a gun of this value? Of course not!
I agree it would correct much of the handicap problems. There wouldn't be any perfect scores from the 27. The game was a better sport when targets were wide and shells slower. We have 3 1/4 shells now, Ruined the game.
Debra O. broke a 100 straight from the 27 using the Rem. Nitro in one ounce. I've broken a couple 97s and a few 96s with them myself. I could only imagine what the top dogs would do if required!! HAP
I'm not so sure it would fix the handicap system, when I shot 1 Oz shells from the 27, I was smoking targets like you won't believe, ( I didn't ) ... The Cream is always going to rise to the top one way or another , if the Top Guns shot 1 oz. shells they would still be in the hunt ... I have patterned 1 oz. shells just for shits and giggles and they really seem to pattern really nice from a visual standpoint ... I do not pattern guns or shells on a regular basis, this was only to see if there was a big difference compared to 1 1/8 oz shells and the pattern looked to be considerably tighter ... I shoot the Remington Nitro's for handicap or Estates (handicap shells 3 dram ) , if I do my job, they usually do theirs ... I have shot some Estates in the 1 Oz version and they are really break targets well also ... WPT ... (YAC) ...
Roger, At one time the A. T. A. permitted the use of copperized shot, even allowing it for the Grand American Handicap tournaments. I don't recall what year it was when they outlawed it for trapshooting events. Enjoy Our History !
The PETERS SHELLS were still good in the 1970s, Peters were Blue Remingtons were GREEN GB..................................DLS
Gary, You of course remember the Blue Magic shells ..? I used to shoot Winchester Papers way back when they were available ... WPT ... (YAC) ...
Winchester Super Target papers were the best shooting factory shell I've ever shot and I believe I've tried most. They were not as reloadable as Federal papers, but shot much better the first time. When they stopped production I bought all I could find. Using the super target name on the Wally loads is a sacriledge in my opinion.
TF1, They could not compare to todays super handicap. I obtained a case of them a couple of years ago. Was shooting them at RED MTN. in AZ. As I was kicking them out I would see movement in back of me. Some guys were picking them up as I was ejecting them. Broke 96 with them. I was asked it I had any more of them. I said I had 16 boxes, the guys ask if I would sell them. I traded them for WW super Handicap. the next day. Do you remember how bad they smelled . In their day they were the greatest. Roger C.
Union Strong, say what ? I haven't met, or seen, anyone that could consistently shoot 100 from the 27 no matter what they shot. I must run with the wrong crowd. Jeff
First 100 I ever witnessed from the 27 was shot with 1 oz #8 reloads in federal paper hulls. Don't know the power charge but it was red dot and from the sound I'm pretty sure they weren't real hot loads. Yes it was a warm, calm day but every target was well centered. I shot on the squad and broke 99, one of five that I have--no 100 for me--, but for that to happen conditions had to have been very good. My best scores from long yardage have been shot with light loads, mostly reloads although I don't shoot 1 oz. I don't seem to be able to shoot good scores with the super hcp or nitros. Have shot well with them for games though. Like many others I load shells for long shots and games and have preferences for that. For some reason I also like 7 1/2 for everything, just seem to have better breaks.
The 1 oz loads are no doubt a savings, but in the long run what do they cost you and is it worth it ..? I said before I have shot 1 oz loads and actually did rather well with them but I do not think I wold give up the 1/8 oz. without some serious thought ... I have broke good scores with 1 1/8 th oz loads also, so based on all totals I would not give up the shells with additional shot in them unless it became a rule which i do not see happening ... I have 4 flats of Nitro's with 1 oz loads in my garage and I will shoot them sooner or later, unless the grand moves from where it is I won't have to worry about shooting them there any time soon or even later for that matter ... I love them but do not want to give up any advantage if I do not have to ... If by chance I ran 100 from 27 with 1 oz , I will no doubt be shooting 1 oz shells and never look back ... WPT ... (YAC) ...
1 oz. loads also save you the pounding. Personally, I think you should be able to shoot what ever you want. Sooner or later, either your body or your mind will be telling you different. That is why release triggers were invented. Either way, I don't believe more shot is better. If you miss, the full amount was still a waste and 9 times out of 10, 4 oz. would have given the same result. The other 1 was just lucky. Who says this is a mind game.