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The other day I was talking to someone and he stated that he mixes shot sizes. It was busy that day and did not have a chance to ask him why. So I am asking here. Why would you mix shot? I am somewhat new to shot shell reloading (just a few years now) and have never heard of this.
Same reason people buy a "Caruck" to drive. They don't know what they want, what they are doing or how to do it.
 
a) The shot in Remington's Duplex loads wasn't mixed. One size shot was loaded on top of the other. I don't remember in which order, but Remington's press releases explained which and why.

b) I was given or won a couple of boxes of target sized shot Duplex loads. They were okay, but nothing I'd pay extra to get (I mostly use promo grade ammo).

c) I seem to remember the greatest benefits were with duck loads......smaller shot to increase chance of a head shot, bigger shot to better penetrate body on that shot placement.
 
When you are speaking of lead or steel shot duplex loads, it was just a marketing gimmick. Some considered them multi range loads but here's my take on duplex loads...

Many hunters see duplex loads as multi-range loads that are good at close range and still good at long range due to having both small and large pellets.

In reality, putting some large pellets in with some smaller ones doesn't do anything except reduce the number of each pellet size in the load. It will more than likely handle close-range shooting just fine but reducing the loads number of large pellets due to the inclusion of small pellets will not doubt limit its effectiveness as a long-range load by having too few large pellets.

My thinking is, if you are shooting birds at ranges where the smaller pellets are effective then you might as well be shooting a full load of the smaller pellets, and if you need a long-range load then reducing the number of larger pellets by taking up room with smaller pellets isn’t the way to go.

Go with the pellet size that will get you the pattern density and pellet energy you need for the bird type/size you are shooting and then choke it appropriately for the distances you shoot your birds.

Good luck!

PS: Here are some of my pattern numbers from the Remington Duplex Turkey load that showed it would be just fine out to 40 yards but, questionable beyond that. Those 49 #4 shot don't really add anything significant to the pattern.

REMINGTON SP 4X6 MULTI-RANGE DUPLEX SHOT SHELL
12 GA 3" 1 7/8 OZ #6 & #4 LEAD (#4/49, #6/336 = 385 PELLETS) 1,210 FPS
40 YARDS – REMINGTON TURKEY SUPER FULL EXTENDED CHOKE
30” PATTERN COUNT / SKULL/CV HITS
315 / 4
314 / 4
314 / 3
293 / 5
289 / 5
AVERAGE (%) / 305 (79%) / 4.2


 
If you look closely at any bag of shot you'll find that it's mixed to some extent. I've seen #6 shot pellets in a brand new bag of # 9 shot. While I haven't intentionally mixed shot sizes I can see the logic behind doing it. Right now shot is difficult to find in bulk and my club having a large number of Skeet shooters means that #9 has been used up, so what is avalable is #8 and 7.5. So I can see shooters who want to use up all of their #9 shot refilling the shot bottle with #8 when it gets low enough, may even do that myself. BTW, I've shifted my shot usage as a result, # 9 is now 410 only and the larger calibers now get #8 shot.
 
Several years ago, I bought one hundred pounds of mixed #7.5 and #9 lead shot at a local estate sale for pennies on the dollar. The seller didn't know the percentage of #7.5 to #9 shot and I wasn't about to spend time sifting it. I loaded it for practice on trap singles (my normal load is 1 oz. of #8). I didn't notice any difference in my scores or quality of target breaks at 16 yard trap but, I did not trust it for handicap practice (my normal handicap load is 1-1/8 oz. of #7.5 shot).
Would I do it again if the opportunity presented itself? Of course. Would I use it for an ATA shoot? No way.

DF

Montani Semper LIberi
 
after 50+ years all I buy now for target shooting is shot marked 7 1/2 from Lawrence, West Coast, Spartan, Eagle, Heper, Star, Rio,etc. But I pull a sample and I get anywhere from size 6 to 10. So NO mixing like 7.5-9's isn't gonna change anything BECAUSE IT ALREADY IS MIXED WHEN YOU GET IT.
 
Cut open a Winchester Super X steel load and it’s full of welding slag looking crap. Not pellets.
Winchester xpert #2 steel has been a quintuplex for years. You get BB, 1, 2, 3, 4 in there for only the price of #2 shot!!!
You guys keep talking about Xperts almost like they are a bad thing. This past year I shot a bunch of old Xpert #2's. Might have been first year they came on the market in like 98 or 99. Those things killed ducks really well. Everything from teal-mallards and a few big geese that came in.
Image
 
It's a bit funny that folks who hate to count pellets in patterning and promote the silly grease plate are often those interested in analyzing pellet sizes in load or bag.
It may boil down to complaining about something.

Reclaimed shot will kill birds or break targets....no reason it would not, if all was pointed and triggered correctly at a reasonable distance.
Does reclaimed always best a good dose of hard shot?
No....but, as above, when it does best reclaimed is not on every shot.
Much ado about little...either way.
 
The majority of my shot is mixed because I mainly shoot reclaim. The shot varies between 7 1/2 and 8. I don't have any issues, I feel they are close enough in size that there aren't really any problems with the 8s slowing down the 7 1/2s or vice versa.

However I do know a few people at my club that purposely mix new factory shot for God knows why. They say it helps break more clays/pattern density, whatever. For example they will buy a bag of 6 shot and a bag of 7 shot (yes 7, not 7 1/2) and mix it. I don't understand that. Just buy a bag of 6 or a bag of 7 and load it. I'm going to go with it has something to do with a placebo effect and if they think it helps, then it probably does. We all know trap is mainly a mental game, so if you have a quirk that helped one time, you'll probably continue to do that same quirk for years! :)
 
You guys keep talking about Xperts almost like they are a bad thing. This past year I shot a bunch of old Xpert #2's. Might have been first year they came on the market in like 98 or 99. Those things killed ducks really well. Everything from teal-mallards and a few big geese that came in.
Yea, but the people here know so much more then Winchester, Federal or Remington.
 
I load Duples all the time.
3" 1 1/4 Steel *2 X single B, incredible Success.
2 3/.4 1 3/8 I also load #7x5 for grouse through Pheasants.
I have done 3" 1 1/2 #4 xBB lead for turkey, but I have no proof it helps.
HINT If your going to do it don't MIX them.
Start with the smaller shot and put the larger shot on top.
My pattern board shows it patterns much better them mixed.
 
My comment about the crappy Super X steel shells has nothing to do with knowing more than Winchester. Just caring more. They are in the business of making money. I put good round pellets in my shells for hunting. I’m sure they pattern better than slag. The discovery was made at the duck hunting shack. The guys were wondering why my shells seemed better so they cut a couple open. I’m sure premium shells are better quality.
 
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