[gmaster456]

They'll work fine on dove and small game.

[TrueNorth]

Wow,

thanks for all of the responses! As far as anyone's concerned, I intend to follow the manufacturers directions, although these particular loads don't say anything about not hunting with them, maybe it was another box from a different brand.

In any case, the ones I have currently are regular power 1 1/8 oz shot. As far as I can tell they'd be the same as regular shot, but they are sold as target loads.

Where I am target shot is VASTLY cheaper than hunting shot, so I was thinking that there must be a reason for that. Aside from copper coated shot, or steel shot I can't think of why that is. If there is no real difference for hunting or target shots, then why is it so much cheaper?

[Old_Crow]

Originally Posted by 303tom

I use these right here all the time on Quail................
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1601139664/remington-gun-club-target-ammunition-12-gauge-2-3-4-1-1-8-oz-7-1-2-shot

Shot Weight: 1-1/8 oz and at 1200 FPS they have at least 2 3/4 drams of powder if not 3 drams. That is a full bore low brass hunting load with a target label. True target loads are loaded with 9 shot. Larger shot sizes are to handicap shooters or make the ammo multipurpose. Smaller shot will always have a dense pattern and less deformation.

[TrueNorth]

Interesting stuff. Thanks, i guess judging from the comment that most "target" loads are just advertising, and can be multi-purpose. Provided that the user reads the label and makes sure of the shot and muzzle velocity to make sure that it's comparable to normal shot, and humane to hunt with.

Does anyone know why target loads are so much cheaper, vs hunting rounds of the same shot size? One would think that they would be more comparable. I keep thinking that there would be some safety issue with the lead, like it's less refined/less food safe.

I get that steel shot for waterfowl hunting would be more expensive as it could be produced in lower quantities.

Any thoughts?

[jpattersonnh]

Target loads are low brass, and are suited to some upland bird hunting. The issue w/ lead and waterfowl is that birds like Loon actually eat the shot, or fish that have eaten the shot. Here in NH it is steel shot for waterfowl, even if you are miles from a body of water. You can hunt pheasant and geese in the same corn field, but can only shoot pheasant w/ lead. If you shoot a single goose and are even carrying lead your in trouble if the game dept. shows up.