Difference in 20 gauge loads?

[lastivoryhunter]

I am just an informal trap shooter and new at that. I purchased a Fox Model B double and have been steadily improving each time I shoot, I have been using the 2 3/4 Winchester # 8 target and game loads and after being pretty pleased with myself for breaking 25 in a row this morning with this load, I figured I would use up a box of Remington Long Range # 6 I had and shot absolutely terrible maybe breaking 2 out of 25 although I felt that I was right on. I am shooting by myself with a one step trap and can not see where I am missing. Any thoughts on what is happening besides the difference in shot size and pattern. Thanks.

[KAYR1]

I do not shoot trap, but am a competitive skeet shooter. My initial thought is that there are considerable variation in speeds between target, game and target, and game loads. This can and does affect your leads on birds. Also, you really should first head to a patterning board to see how your gun patterns with different loads. Most factory shells, particulary the game loads carry heavy paylods of shot, and typically fairly fast. This equates to increased recoil, particularly cumulitive recoil over many rounds and time. Most guys that I shoot with are both skeet and trap competitors and use fairly light loads. 3/4 oz with light charge in handloads. if you like this game, it may be worth it to handload and find a load that patterns well, with reduced recoil.
 
The bottom line is that there is quite a lot of variation between any factory loads, especially when you go from light target to game loads. If you only shoot factory ammo, I would find a load that works for you, and buy cases of it. Remington Gun Club light target loads are fairly cheap and popular. Good Luck

[lastivoryhunter]

KAYR1 Thanks very much for your advice, I do need to see how these loads pattern, something is very different I was for the most part powdering the clays consistently with the light loads and missing altogether with the game loads. Up until now I have been a bowhunter and primitive muzzleloading hunter, and bought this trap and shotgun just to practice a bit and try bird hunting, I never expected to enjoy shooting the clays as much as I do, I have been out each weekend since Christmas and will have to soon try shooting at a proper range. Again your help is very much appreciated.
Tony

[mcwoodduck]

Learning to shoot, consistancy is your friend.
Buy the same load.  Same volume of shot at the same speed.  The birds are flying at the same speed.  You need to have the shot flying at the same speed too.
If you jump into reloading you can change the shot size. 
Also the 6 shot is going to give you fewer pellets than the 8 shot.

[KAYR1]

lastivoryhunter- WElcome to the clay sports! I, am primarily a big game hunter with rifle, bow and muzzleloader. Once I was bitten by the clay shooting bug, I was hooked. The advice above is very good as well. Buy cases of the same load and practice as much as you can. There is likely a club near you that hosts skeet and 5-stand. My club does and the gentlemen that helped me get started were great. There you may be able to shoot other people's guns adn see what you like before you buy, which helped me immensely. be warned, this is a deep hole!!!

[mcwoodduck]

Oh and a little terminology.
You said Regular Trap.
From the 16 Yard line (the front boxes) it is called Singles.
When you move back it is called Handycapped trap.
 

[Catfish]

I used to shot qutie a bit of trap and loaded my own. I once got a lot of powder that that did not burn well with lite loads and ended up with abt. 500 rounds that were only going 875 fps., I cronoed them. I shot them in compotation from the 16 yrd. line, and besides being able to see the shot, I change nothing and did as well with them as I did my 1,300 fps loads. With the shot string you have with shot shells and the relitively small angles you have in trap, the lead does not change much with velocity. I would reather think that if the ammo is the problem it is that your gun does not patterent #6 shot well. To tell the truth though, there are time you think your doing everything right and cannot hit a bird. I once gave a friend of mine that always shot real heavy load a lite load of 7/8 oz. shot and told him to try my new load. From the 27 yrd. line he broke the bird, but imideatly siad I could not shoot them. I said you broke the bird, why not? His reply way he wanted to know when the gun went off. Patteren your gun, but I`ll bet it`s the guy behind the gun. IT HAPPENS TO ALL OF US. Shake it off and try again. If you can get someone to watch you shoot. Often time someone else can spot you stopping your swing, dtopping your barrel, or lifting your head.

[lastivoryhunter]

Thanks Catfish, no argument on operator error, for whatever reason my shot and the clay are not meeting up it is me that is missing.

[Couger]

If you're gonna shoot trap with a 20gagger, you really need to see (on a paper sheet) how your (smaller-than-a-12gauge) 20ga patterns with #8's, and #7 1/2'a.
 
Your best trap load needs to be one that patterns well w/o leaving any holes in your pattern.
 
also keep in mind the target loads by Remington or Winchester use hard, (magnum) shot that helps tighten patterns, versus the softer cheaper pellets/components in promotional shells!
 
If you do reload, can you load 1-oz shells for the 20ga?  I shoot the 20ga and when I can will check how well at about 1220fps 1-ounce of #8's or #7 1/2's work in a 20 bore at the 16 to 20 yards lines.  And most well establised, well run clubs have rules against any pellets larger than 7 1/2's.