Shotshells for sporting clays

[Cement Man]

Last fall I started shooting sporting clays.  I belong to a hunting club that put in a 5 station setup.  I haven't done much shooting on it, but shot a round again last week.  I think I am gonna love this.  The club sells Estate 12 gauge 1 1/8 oz #8 loads for $5/box.  I thnik that is extremely reasonable.  I wanted to buy some more for myself and look at what other brands and loads are out there, so I started by looking at Grafs, Cabela's, etc. Wow! There are all kinds, brands, speeds, prices - you name it.  I ended ordering two cases of Fiocchis that looked similar in performance for clays, but don't feel I understand why I picked what I did.  I notice that some other brands like Federal, had some that cost over twice as much.
Can anyone give me a "primer" (no pun intended) on clays shells?
Also, I have two large bins of Blue Magic once fired hulls I bought over 20 years ago and I am thinking of dusting off the MEC.
Any words of wisdom regarding 12 gauge clays shotshells is appreciated...............

[the rifleman]

My home club has a very popular SC course, and many of the fellows use Remington Gun Club 3dram 1-1/8oz loads #8. They usually sell for $35-40 per flat. I like a lighter recoiling load myself so use the Rem's 2-3/4 dram 1oz load. Same price. Federal Top Gun shells in equivelent loads are also available fairly cheap, as compared to STS or AA, but still break the targets just fine.

 If you have a course set up that throws rabbit targets quite often, it might be worth packing a box of #7-1/2 shot, as they are a little harder to break, especially on an edge shot.

The main difference in shell cost is the higher quality shot, (ie harder/rounder). I believe that there is also a "name" thing going on that keeps the prices higher, as long as people are willing to pay the price. If you are "on" the target, it shouldn't make a bit of difference. You can break them just as good with a $3.50 box as a $6.00 box.

Heck if you are getting out shooting more, get that old dusty reloader going again. You can impress the guys with some of your own handrolled loads!

[Cement Man]

Rifleman,
Thanks for the reply.  I was a little bewildered by the variety and range of prices, but it looks like it isn't all that critical.  At least in my fledging stage in this sport, I can't tell the differences anyway.  Your advice "hit the target".  I believe I will dust off the MEC!

[the rifleman]

Sporting clays is a lot of fun to shoot. I like the different target presentations, and some of the challenges they offer. A guy could get hooked on it pretty fast.

I hope you saved some hulls to start making your own, but if not you should bea able to find some good reloadable hulls on the range, that others left lie. Or you could start your own hull collection by buying a couple of flats of shells to shoot first. The Remington STS, Nitro, or Gun Club are my favorite hulls. I get 6-10 reloads out of a hull before it's toast.

Have fun!

[1marty]

local gun store sells Federal #8 2 3/4 at $38 a case. Gander usually has them on sale too. I usually wait for a sale and stock up. I use to reload but the difference isn't that great anymore. Accept for Fiocchi I found most shoot about the same-some shoot a little dirtier than others. Found Fiocchis jammed in the gun.