Looking for a softer-shooting 1-1/8 oz load for sporting clays
Been shooting a Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon with a 30" barrel, IC/M chokes for sporting. My go-to has been Federal Gold Medal 1-1/8 oz #8s, but after 100+ rounds my shoulder feels it. I've tried some 1 oz loads but my pattern density at 35-40 yards seems to drop off. Anyone have a favorite 1-1/8 oz recipe or factory load that's known to be a bit more forgiving on recoil without sacrificing too much performance?
1 Answer
I shoot a Browning Citori 725 with a similar setup and had the same issue. I switched to Winchester AA Low Recoil/Low Noise 1-1/8 oz #8s. They're rated around 1200 fps instead of the typical 1300+, and I honestly can't tell a difference in breaking targets out to 40 yards. The felt recoil is noticeably less. If you reload, you could try a similar approach with a slightly faster powder like Hodgdon Clays or International to keep pressures and velocity down while maintaining that shot weight. What powder are you currently using if you do reload?
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