page_title: Trap shooting
section_title: Ammunition
hierarchical_section_title: Trap shooting / Ammunition
context_page_description: Trap shooting is one of the three major disciplines of competitive clay pigeon shooting. The other disciplines are skeet shooting and sporting clays. They are distinguished roughly as follows, with variations within each group:
  In trap shooting, the targets are launched from a single "house" or machine, generally away from the shooter.
  In skeet shooting, targets are launched from two "houses" in somewhat "sideways" paths that intersect in front of the shooter.
  Sporting clays includes a more complex course, with many launch points.
context_section_description: American trap typically uses lead shot ammunition, with shot sizes (for lead shot) ranging between #7 ½ and #9 (2.0–2.4 mm). The major components of a shotshell are the "hull" (casing), "primer" (ignition device), "powder" (smokeless gunpowder), "wad" (shot cup and cushion), and "shot" (round pellets).
  The "shot" in a "shotshell" consists of approximately 300–450 small spheres. Shotshells are allowed a maximum payload weight of 1 ¹⁄₈ oz (32 g) of shot. Velocity may vary but is limited based upon shot mass: 1,290 feet per second (390 m/s) for 1 ¹⁄₈ oz (32 g), 1,325 ft/s (404 m/s) for 1 oz (28 g), and 1,350 ft/s (410 m/s) for ⁷⁄₈ oz (24 g). Maximum loads are generally only needed for longer "handicap" yardages or the second shot in doubles trap. Steel shot, which may be required at certain trap clubs or ranges, is used with slightly larger shot size (e.g. #6 or #7).
  Quality ammunition is readily available from a variety of companies including Winchester, Remington, Federal, Fiocchi, and Rio. Ammunition may be marketed as "premium" or other. Manufacturers price their ammunition accordingly. The quality of the hull construction, shot, powder and primer components impacts the price of shotshells.
  Reloading or self-loading of ammunition is popular among a segment of trap shooters, due in part to the sheer quantity of ammunition used in trap shooting as well as the fact that many ranges will have shells that are used only once and are able to be obtained by people who reload their own shells at little to no cost. Reloading can be economical and allows for the ability to customize a shotshell "recipe" to one's shooting, making reloading attractive and adds another dimension to the enjoyment of shotgun shooting sports.
caption: A 12-gauge shotgun shell in a transparent plastic hull, allowing the contents to be seen
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