Finding the best shot size for trap shooting usually boils down to choosing between #7.5 and #8 shot, but the choice depends more on your distance from the trap house than you might think. If you've ever stood behind the line at a local club, you've probably heard guys arguing about which one is superior. Some swear by the hard-hitting nature of 7.5s, while others prefer the dense patterns of 8s. To be honest, both work, but understanding the "why" behind each can help you squeeze a few more points out of your round.
When you're shooting trap, you're dealing with a target that's moving away from you at roughly 42 miles per hour. By the time you pull the trigger, that clay bird is anywhere from 30 to 45 yards away. At that distance, you need a balance between how many pellets are in the air and how much energy each of those pellets carries. If the shot is too small, it might not have the "oomph" to break the clay. If it's too big, your pattern might have holes that the bird can fly right through.
The Case for #8 Shot
For most people starting out at the 16-yard line, #8 shot is often considered the best shot size for trap shooting. Why? It's all about the numbers. A standard 1 1/8 ounce load of #8 lead shot contains about 460 pellets. Compare that to the 390 pellets you get in a 7.5 load, and you can see the advantage. You're putting about 70 more tiny lead balls into the sky.
This extra density is a huge help when you're shooting "singles" from the 16-yard line. At this distance, the clay isn't quite far enough away for the pellets to lose their killing power. You want a thick, even cloud of lead so that even if your aim is slightly off, a few pellets will still find their mark. Many shooters find that #8s give them more "smoky" breaks—where the clay literally turns into a cloud of dust—because so many pellets hit it at once.
However, #8 shot does have a weakness: it loses velocity faster than larger shot. Because the pellets are smaller and lighter, air resistance slows them down more quickly. If you're shooting on a particularly windy day or if you're slow on the trigger, those 8s might struggle to break a target at 40+ yards.
Why Some Shooters Prefer #7.5 Shot
While 8s are great for beginners and 16-yard shooters, #7.5 shot is the go-to for handicap shooting or long-yardage targets. If you find yourself back at the 20, 24, or 27-yard line, #7.5 is arguably the best shot size for trap shooting.
The pellets are slightly larger (about .095 inches compared to .090 inches for #8), which gives them more mass. That extra mass means they hold onto their kinetic energy longer. When a 7.5 pellet hits a clay at 45 yards, it hits harder than an 8 pellet does. On days when the wind is blowing right in your face, pushing the targets down or making them "jumpy," the heavier 7.5s tend to fly truer and resist drifting.
The trade-off, of course, is that you have fewer pellets in your pattern. If your choke isn't dialed in or if your point of aim is a bit off, you're more likely to "chip" a bird or miss it entirely because of a gap in the spread. But for most experienced shooters, the peace of mind that comes with that extra hitting power is worth the slightly thinner pattern.
Does #9 Shot Have a Place in Trap?
You might see #9 shot at the store and wonder if it's worth a try. Generally speaking, no. While #9 shot is fantastic for skeet, where the targets are much closer, it's rarely the best shot size for trap shooting.
By the time a #9 pellet reaches a trap target, it has lost a significant amount of its energy. You might see the pellet hit the bird—you'll see a little "puff" or the bird will wobble—but it won't break. In the world of competitive trap, a "dusted" target is a lost target. Unless you're shooting at a very specific indoor facility or a very short-range practice game, stick to 7.5s or 8s.
The Role of Shot Weight and Velocity
It's not just about the size of the pellets; it's also about how many you're cramming into the shell and how fast they're going. Most trap loads are either 1 ounce or 1 1/8 ounces.
The 1 1/8 ounce load is the standard. It gives you the maximum number of pellets allowed by the rules, which maximizes your chances of a hit. However, some shooters prefer 1-ounce loads because they have less recoil. If you're shooting 100 or 200 targets in a single afternoon, that reduced kick can prevent fatigue and help you keep your head on the stock.
Velocity is another factor to consider. You'll see shells labeled anywhere from 1,145 feet per second (fps) up to 1,300 fps. A lot of newcomers think faster is always better, but that's not necessarily true. High-velocity shells often produce "blown" patterns, where the pellets scatter unevenly. Plus, they kick like a mule. Most pros find that a moderate speed—around 1,145 or 1,200 fps—provides the most consistent patterns and is much easier on the shoulder.
Steel Shot vs. Lead Shot
Some ranges, especially those near wetlands or those with strict environmental regulations, require the use of steel shot. If you're forced to use steel, everything we just talked about changes.
Steel is much lighter than lead. If you use #8 steel, it will feel like you're throwing popcorn at the targets. For steel, you usually need to go up two sizes to get the same performance. So, if you usually love #8 lead, you'll want to look for #6 steel. If you're a #7.5 lead fan, try #5 or #6 steel. Just keep in mind that steel doesn't compress like lead does, so it tends to pattern very tightly. You might need to open up your choke a bit to compensate.
Matching Your Shot to Your Choke
Your choice of the best shot size for trap shooting also needs to work with the choke in your shotgun. If you're using #8 shot from the 16-yard line, a Modified or Improved Modified choke is usually the sweet spot. It keeps those 460 pellets together long enough to smash the bird but lets them spread out enough to give you some margin for error.
If you're moving back to the handicap lines and switching to #7.5, most shooters move to a Full choke. Since you have fewer pellets to work with, you need to keep them in a tight "core" to ensure enough of them hit the target at those long distances.
Trust Your Results
At the end of the day, a lot of trap shooting is mental. If you believe that #7.5 is the best shot size for trap shooting, you'll probably shoot better with it. There's something to be said for the confidence that comes with knowing your equipment is exactly what you want.
If you're really torn, do a little "paper tuning." Take a few different boxes of shells to a pattern board and see what they actually do at 35 yards. You might find that your specific gun loves a certain brand of #8s but leaves huge holes with #7.5s. Every barrel is a little different, and seeing the results on paper can take the guesswork out of the equation.
Wrapping It Up
So, what's the verdict? If you're just starting out or spend most of your time at the 16-yard line, go with #8 shot. The higher pellet count is more forgiving, and it has plenty of energy for those distances.
If you're a faster shooter, or if you've started moving back into the handicap yardages, give #7.5 shot a try. It handles the wind better and carries that extra bit of punch needed for long-range breaks.
Regardless of which one you pick, focus on your form, keep your head down, and follow through. The best shot size in the world won't help if you stop your swing! Grab a box of each, see which one feels right, and get out there on the line. Happy shooting!