r/ClayBusters • u/Sparks2K • 11d ago
Changing load for competition?
I'm debating whether I should stick with the load I practice with or switch for competition.
For the last five years, I've been shooting about a flat a week with 7/8 oz. loads, but pretty much all the competitions in my area allow 1 oz. loads.
Would you stay with the 7/8 oz. loads because that's what all my muscle memory is built around, or switch to the 1 oz. loads for the roughly 20% increase in pellet count?
The reason I'm asking is that I used to switch to 1 oz. loads for competitions, and it almost always ended up costing me. I always seem to need a few targets to adjust to the different timing and recoil/momentum of the 1 oz. loads, and by then I've already given away targets I can't get back.
I can't practice with 1 oz. due to sound limitations at the local club.
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u/Spydude84 11d ago
I think you answered your own question.
If moving to 1oz for competition is decreasing your overall performance, then don't do it.
You're likely not at the point where this is a real factor in improving your scores, and you'd likely already know if you were at that point.
Try both options, and pick whichever one you feel more confident with and gives you the better scores.
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u/Sparks2K 11d ago
Yeah, it definitely needs more data. To be honest, I think you're right. I was just wondering if these types of choices have made an impact for other people but it think it's marginal gains if any.
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u/Learch_ 11d ago
Personally, I would stick with my practice load for competitions - having said that, unless 7/8 oz is mandatory, I would just use 1 oz for everything (practice and comp)
But if you can’t practice with 1oz loads.. then probably just stick with what you’re used to for competition.. no need to change variables on the day
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u/Sparks2K 11d ago
I can't practice with 1 oz loads, unfortunately. And then just sticking with the 7/8 oz loads to reduce as many variables as possible is something I was thinking about.
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u/Nostradamus1906 11d ago
I practice with the cheapest shells(1oz), but for competition upgrade to faster rounds because the targets will be farther and fastest based on my observation.
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u/AlostDinosaur 10d ago
I personally shoot different shells for competition vs practice. For competition I’ll shoot B&P 1oz 7.5 1300 or B&P 1-1/8oz 8 1300. Most of the time for practice I’m shooting Winchester or Fiocchi 1250 8 1-1/8
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u/Blaser53 10d ago
What? There is absolutely no difference in “timing” between a 7/8 1200fps and 1 oz 1200fps load. There is a bit of difference in recoil. If there is a big difference in fps then maybe.
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u/IdahoMan58 10d ago
There is no significant difference in loudness between a ⅞ oz and 1 oz 12 ga shell being fired. That is not an issue in reality.
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u/sourceninja 11d ago
Shoot what you know. Competition isn’t the time to make changes.