I've had a few queries about ammo recently,and seen some on various BBs.So,here's some opinions on cheap ammo, and some observations. I'm hoping other folks kick in with what they know also....
Also, unless specified otherwise, this is 12 gauge country.
According to a recent magazine article, there's 28 brands of ammo sold in the US. The makers vary from Third World and former Soviet countries to US giants like Remington, Winchester, and Federal. Quality varies widely, but even the cheapest and worst goes bang when asked and makes a pattern of some kind.
We've all seen and perhaps purchased the 100 round Value packs sold in Walmart,etc. We also may have bought cases of ammo for general usage and practice.
Or, we've picked up generic "Field" loads a box or two at a time. Usually labelled something like "Dove and Quail", these go on sale most Augusts for folks to stock up on for Doves, late season clay games, and so on.
The differences between these and premium trap and other high dollar and quality loads are myriad, but the most important can be summarized.
First, the shot in cheap loads has less antimony, thus it's softer and deforms more under the pressure of firing.
Second, the one piece wad, if any, is of cheaper construction, and does less to shield the shot in its travel up the bbl.
Third, the hull is oft made in three parts, and stands up to one firing,but is not recommended for reloading.
Fourth, oft the makers skimp on shot amount as well as quality. 1 oz loads are cheaper than 1 1/8 and most folks pay little attention to what's writter on the box. This matters little sometimes,
a oz of shot can work well.
The Fed value packs are great clay ammo. The shot still has some antimony, the wad's similar to the Gold Medal, the big difference is the case life.
The Winchester 100 pack is also good, tho not quite as tight patterning as AAs.
Lots of target shooters use and like the various Fiocchi stuff, and a case of 1 1/8 oz, 3 dram target loads can be obtained for about $30-35.
Same with Estate, now owned by Federal. Their generics are excellent for those games played within 30-35 yards.
As for hunting, practically all of the cheaper stuff works well for closer range and prey smaller than a lb or so. The problem with dove, grouse and quail is not pellet performance once it hits, but hitting.Chances are, if we miss, it's not the shell.
For larger stuff than a lb,like ringnecks, I prefer a premium load, but there's some wiggle room. I can use most cheap shells( with appropriate shot size) and a tad more choke, or a little less choke and a high quality, expensive shell and get more/less comparable performance.
For trap,skeet,5 stand, etc, the generic ammo works for the shotgunner who A,doesn't reload, and B, doesn't obsess about dropping a bird here and there.
For those of us who do reload, the generics are less attractive. I can reload good hulls with good components and get quality comparable to the best target ammo for $2.80 a box.
As for cheap slugs and buck, read the Mail Order catalogs and check your local shops for sales. However, the best slug for a particular shotgun may not be cheap, but it hurts not to start with cheaper ammo.
Questions, comments?....
Also, unless specified otherwise, this is 12 gauge country.
According to a recent magazine article, there's 28 brands of ammo sold in the US. The makers vary from Third World and former Soviet countries to US giants like Remington, Winchester, and Federal. Quality varies widely, but even the cheapest and worst goes bang when asked and makes a pattern of some kind.
We've all seen and perhaps purchased the 100 round Value packs sold in Walmart,etc. We also may have bought cases of ammo for general usage and practice.
Or, we've picked up generic "Field" loads a box or two at a time. Usually labelled something like "Dove and Quail", these go on sale most Augusts for folks to stock up on for Doves, late season clay games, and so on.
The differences between these and premium trap and other high dollar and quality loads are myriad, but the most important can be summarized.
First, the shot in cheap loads has less antimony, thus it's softer and deforms more under the pressure of firing.
Second, the one piece wad, if any, is of cheaper construction, and does less to shield the shot in its travel up the bbl.
Third, the hull is oft made in three parts, and stands up to one firing,but is not recommended for reloading.
Fourth, oft the makers skimp on shot amount as well as quality. 1 oz loads are cheaper than 1 1/8 and most folks pay little attention to what's writter on the box. This matters little sometimes,
a oz of shot can work well.
The Fed value packs are great clay ammo. The shot still has some antimony, the wad's similar to the Gold Medal, the big difference is the case life.
The Winchester 100 pack is also good, tho not quite as tight patterning as AAs.
Lots of target shooters use and like the various Fiocchi stuff, and a case of 1 1/8 oz, 3 dram target loads can be obtained for about $30-35.
Same with Estate, now owned by Federal. Their generics are excellent for those games played within 30-35 yards.
As for hunting, practically all of the cheaper stuff works well for closer range and prey smaller than a lb or so. The problem with dove, grouse and quail is not pellet performance once it hits, but hitting.Chances are, if we miss, it's not the shell.
For larger stuff than a lb,like ringnecks, I prefer a premium load, but there's some wiggle room. I can use most cheap shells( with appropriate shot size) and a tad more choke, or a little less choke and a high quality, expensive shell and get more/less comparable performance.
For trap,skeet,5 stand, etc, the generic ammo works for the shotgunner who A,doesn't reload, and B, doesn't obsess about dropping a bird here and there.
For those of us who do reload, the generics are less attractive. I can reload good hulls with good components and get quality comparable to the best target ammo for $2.80 a box.
As for cheap slugs and buck, read the Mail Order catalogs and check your local shops for sales. However, the best slug for a particular shotgun may not be cheap, but it hurts not to start with cheaper ammo.
Questions, comments?....
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