What is the Best Shot Size for Trap Shooting?

Obviously, you’re shooting a target that’s going away, and because of that your pellets won’t strike the clay as hard as they do when you’re shooting an incoming or crossing target. In addition, you’re not seeing a complete picture of the target. You’re not seeing any of the vulnerable belly and only part of the dome. You’re shooting into the back of the target, which is the hardest part of the clay to break.
That leads me to conclude that No. 7½ shot is ideal for trap shooting. Other trap shooters disagree, and use No. 8 shot from the 16-yard line. They’re choosing pattern density over pellet energy, and it surely works for them. Some even go down to 8½ shot or perhaps even 9s for the first shot of trap doubles, as doubles targets will be thrown on the same trajectory every time and they can shoot quicker, while the clay is closer.

As American trap shooters improve, they’re moved further and further from the trap as part of the “handicap” event. It’s a rare shooter who doesn’t use 7½s from the maximum distance of 27 yards. If a heavy trap load of 7½ shot won’t break the bird, no other legal load will either.

At the end of the day, there may come a time when you are a little bit “off” and don’t center the clay with your pattern. To my mind, if I’m only going to hit a trap bird with three or four pellets, I want them to be the largest, hardest-hitting pellets possible. That’s a 7½.