#9 will give you higher density pattern and will break any target on the skeet field.

 

If you’re on the target they’ll both break it. 9 may be a little better (or at least no worse) on closer targets and 8 will carry kinetic energy a bit further.

I don’t seek out 9 shot myself (I prefer 7.5 or 8) but Ive certainly used it before and can’t say I missed any targets because of shot size.

 

Does not matter at all if you do your job right.

 

Exactly!!

 

#9 for skeet.

 

There is no advantage using #8s for skeet, and you get a lot more pellets with #9s.

 

I like the way the #9 flows better when reloading the 28 gauge. I have no preference on reloading my light 20 gauge but will say I notice a slight amount of difference in the violence of the hits. But I agree the size of shot has never cost me a target hit.

 

8's or 9's are fine in anything bigger than a 410.

 

 

I'm moving to all #8 for everything except skeet with a 410. It just gives more versatility as it can be used for skeet, trap and SC equally well.
Good Luck.
DG

 

I use #8 1/2s in all my 3/4 oz loads, 12, 20, and 28 gauge. #9s in 410.

 

Why not #9s in all of them? If #9s are better in the 410, why wouldn't they be better in the other gauges.

 

Is either better for Sporting vs. Field or other clay disciplines?

 

My thoughts and not to sidetrack a discussion about skeet. For skeet I use #9 (reloads) at 1200 ish fps. For 5 stand and sporting clays I have two loads. Primary load uses #8 (reloads) at 1300 ish fps. The other one for rabbits,edge on and distant targets #7.5 (reloads) at 1300 ish fps. When I need new hulls .I purchase factory ammo.

 

Which ones are the cheapest? That's the one I will buy.

 

The only way you can afford to shoot 28 gauge is to reload. A bag of shot for target loads is the same price regardless of shot size.

 

You get a 132 more pellets with #9’s vs #8’s

 

Or more #9s in 3/4 ounce (439) than #8s in 1 ounce (410).

 

The answer is pure physics.

As the chart illustrates above, at every payload there are more pellets of 9’s than all the larger sizes.

#9 shot has all the mass (energy) you need to reliably break every target on the skeet field if you break the birds in the proper place.

By increasing the size of the shot, all your doing is sacrificing pellets in exchange for increased energy that you do not need.

 

I use #9 for skeet; #8 for 16 yd. trap and 7-1/2 for handicap past 19 yds. No matter what shot, the object is to hit the target with the density of the pattern.

 

The last 2 100 straights I shot were both with 7 1/2's, one in the 20(Federal 4 pack) and the other with the 28(factory AA's). Every target I can remember missing on a skeet field including with the 410 were due to poor execution. Not once did ever say to myself "if I only had 9's!". Don't get me wrong I get the argument and shoot 9's much more than anything else and only reload with 9's, but if I miss a target it's on me not the size of my shot.

 

"Every target I can remember missing on a skeet field including with the 410 were due to poor execution."
With the 410 (at least), you can not know that for sure.

 

"The proof of the pudding is in the tasting."

Because of price, availability, and convenience, I used #8s in 12 and 20 gauges for a couple of years. No 100 straights (I usually had a few each year) and my averages slumped.

 

This is not a gun that will get shot a lot. It's a "baby frame" Silver Pigeon field gun. I got it a few weeks ago for the dove season. I figured I should shoot a flat of ammo at skeet targets because I have a range close by. Looks like I will order a flat of #9s. I won't shoot it enough to invest in another Mec 600 and start reloading 28ga.
Thanks for your responses.

 

It makes absolutely no difference in scores. Shoot 8s or 9s or 8 1/2s. Concentrate on hitting targets, don't worry about shot size.

 

Sometimes it does, especially with the smaller gauges. I don't want to give that up when every target counts.

 

If there is a choice between 9s, 8s, or 7 1/2, choose the #9s. If there are no #9s, choose 8s. If there are no 8s, choose 7 1/2. In any case, shoot and have fun. All will break skeet targets if you put the shot where it belongs.

 

I prefer #9 @1,200 for 28 gauge skeet, but 8's are an alternative if 9's not available.

 

As a kid loading in the 80's, I would use #8 for trap and skeet in 12 ga, and #9 for 410.

I now use #9 for all gauges skeet, but just bought 11 flats of factory 1 oz 8's, mostly for the little bit of trap and sporting (5-stand) that I shoot, although I would have no qualms shooting skeet with 1 oz of #8s, I really doubt there would be any noticeable change in my scores.

 

just bought 11 flats of factory 1 oz 8's, mostly for the little bit of trap and sporting (5-stand) that I shoot, although I would have no qualms shooting skeet with 1 oz of #8s

I don't get many opportunities to shoot skeet. But I have started buying 1 oz #8s for sporting (I slightly prefer 7 1/2s) so that when (if) I shoot thru my supply of #9s, I can also use them for skeet. I expect they'll cost me an occasional target, but that's the trade-off for convenience.

 

For what I want to do, 9s might get me 1 or 2 more skeet practice targets. Those extra targets will boost my ego and make me happy. Then once dove season rolls around, I will only need to take 16 rounds of the expensive steel shot (CA regulations) for my 15 bird limit!

As you can see, I don't take this too seriously. I like pulling the trigger. Getting outside and shooting shotguns makes me a happy camper.

 

I believe the OP knew his decision before he first posted and so, I am not sure why anyone would take any of this #8 or #9 angst..."seriously".

At least, we know he has a new shotgun.💡
👏, I reckon.

 

I am not sure why people think that will shoot higher scores with 9s than 8s. More pellets does not equate to a bigger pattern. A #9 pellet is more likely to hit a target and NOT break it than a #8 as it has less energy. Shoot 1000 targets with each, there will be absolutely no difference in scores if the shooter does his part.

 

I agree with you for 12 & 20 ga. #9s or #8 will do. However, for the 28 & .410 you will do better to fill in that pattern with more shot. Targets break by imparting energy on them and not so much by putting holes in them. For those who are brave enough, go pattern a .410 with different size shot. As the number of pellets in the pattern decrease, holes in the pattern will appear. Some large enough that maybe only one or two pellets will hit the target. That may not impart enough energy to ensure a break. So, one will either need to tighten up your choke, to get the needed pellet density, or, increase the # of shot in the pattern. Tightening up the pattern will give you less room for error. Increasing the number of pellets, capable of imparting sufficient energy, is, IMO, the way to go.

 

The smaller the shot charge, the more advantageous are #9s.

 

Again, I think that is in your head. If so, have fun shooting 9s. It is not in mine.

 

Shooting distances in skeet are close enough, I don't care if I have 7.5's 8's or 9's. Never see any $21.50 100 packs in 28 ga or in #9 shot. I will keep using the cheap 12 ga and 20 ga shells in 7.5 and 8.