Clay Target Q&A
With Russell Mark, Olympic gold and silver medallist
Questions: russell@corporateshootingstars.com.au
Q I have been shooting centrefire rifles for many years and have recently started shooting shotguns. I have only ever loaded my own ammunition for rifle shooting but I am surprised that hardly anyone reloads for clay target competitions. Is this cost or quality related?
Naz Calleja, NSW
A Naz, these days it is probably more cost related than anything else. In 1979, the price for 500 rounds of shot shells hit $100 for the first time. In 2006, we are paying not much more than this for many brands of ammo. If you relate this to how the cost of motor vehicles, houses or even a loaf of bread has escalated in the past 27 years, you realise how cheap shooting really is in relative terms these days.
I have had many people tell me that they still reload for about $85 per 500 but if you put the cost of your time on top of this, and the expense of having to actually go and get all of the relevant components, then it is hardly worth the effort.
Of course, for many people it is the satisfaction of actually reloading and having that ‘special’ load that far out weighs the performance of the factory-loaded shell - although I am yet to come across one.