Clay Target Q&A
With Russell Mark, Olympic gold and silver medallist
Questions: russell@corporateshootingstars.com.au
Q I have recently been trying out some 24g loads on Trap that I won at a Christmas shoot. I found them extremely easy to use as far as recoil was concerned and the breaks I am getting with them are superb. Most times there is nothing, but dust left. Why did it take so long for these lighter loads to be introduced and could it be an advantage to use 24g over 28g?
Walter Ireland, Qld
A 24g shotshells were made mandatory by the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) in all forms of Olympic competitions and related world events on January 1, 1993. Only four years earlier, the ISSF reduced the maximum shot weight from 32g to 28g. Up until 1972, 36g were permissible.
By introducing 24g shotshells, the ISSF were trying to accomplish two objectives: they were clearly trying to be pro-active in reducing lead pollution, as there were already countries in Europe, such as Sweden, that had a total ban on lead pellets for Clay Target shooting and secondly, they wanted to reduce scores. The scores in Skeet were spiralling upwards and perfect scores of 125/125 were appearing in Olympic Trap. The introduction of 24g shotshells has been successful on both accounts.
Certainly, a 24g shotshell will turn clay inside out if you put the target in the centre of the shot pattern, especially at short distances. The top shooters in the world continue to shoot roughly the same scores as they did before, as they have the ability to do this, no matter what shot charge they are using.
What I have noticed though, is the reduction in scores of the less talented shooters. The average score of a B-class shooter in the ISSF disciplines is a lot less in 2007 than it was in 1997 and alternatively in 1987. The reason? Less shot reduces your chances of breaking a clay target, especially at greater distances such as a second barrel at Olympic Trap where targets are often at more than 40m and moving away quickly with only the edge of the target facing you.
Walter, you have correctly pointed out that the lighter loads are a pleasure to shoot with and I totally agree. If you are asking me if I had just one shot to break clay for a million dollars at any Trap, Skeet or Sporting target what load would I use, I would use the one with the most pellets I could get my hands on. Something of the 36g variety I would think and probably with No. 6 shot. This is where the trade-off begins.
If I had to shoot several hundred targets to win a State or National Double Barrel Championship, what would I use? Not a 36g load that’s for sure, as recoil fatigue would eventually get me.
This is where the advantages of the lighter loads come into play. My personal preference would be low recoil (1200 to 1250fps) 28g, 7½ shot size load. In Australia, this is the maximum weight shot load we are permitted to shoot at American Trap (DTL) from 15m. Interestingly, in the US, 32g shotshells are still permitted in DTL and just about everybody who is anybody still uses this shotshell, but again, a low-recoil load of around 1100 to 1150fps.
Walter, good luck with the 24g loads. They have been a great addition to our sport, with many younger shooters, lightly built females and even some punch-drunk pre-1972 36g veterans swearing by the lower recoil they offer.