Size of birdshot

[Ol Salty Sailor]

Why is the largest size shot allowed in WB (#6 birdshot) not the same as the largest size shot allowed in CAS (#4 birdshot)?

Why would they not be the same?

[Garrison Joe]

Rules written at different times by different persons? Perhaps influenced by their "home range" safety rules that they are familiar with?

And perhaps because shot size is hardly important to shooting 10 yard steel knockdown targets.  I have seen several WB shooters not be handicapped at all shooting #9 shot.  And I shoot #8 all the time.

As to exactly WHY in any of the SASS rules, perhaps developed 25 years ago and modified since then, it is almost impossible for most of us to have a real clue.  But it's not like we really NEED to know WHY to play the game.

Learn the rules, follow the rules - for the game you are playing.

 

But, if you think the two rules need to be "harmonized" (made the same), suggest that to your local Territorial Governor and see if they want to "pick that hill to die on." 

good luck, GJ

 

 

[Cholula Mike]

Howdy Sailor, the WBROC has discussed this issue and are working to clarify it

 

CM

 

[El Chapo]

The real question ought to be who is using #4 at a CAS match?  That is unnecessary for sure.  Maybe it was written in the lead era and people wanted to use their duck ammo?

[Jorge]

Why use either #4 or #6?

[El Chapo]

9 hours ago, Jorge said:

Why use either #4 or #6?

 

I wouldn't be using either one.  Clay ranges are limited to 7 1/2 so I don't keep any shot bigger than that and I usually just use #8.

[Flying W Ramrod]

6 hours ago, El Chapo said:

 

I wouldn't be using either one.  Clay ranges are limited to 7 1/2 so I don't keep any shot bigger than that and I usually just use #8.

Those are maximum shot size numbers.

[El Chapo]

22 hours ago, Flying W Ramrod said:

Those are maximum shot size numbers.

I was responding to the question asked.  The maximum size shot allowed on a trap or skeet range is 7 1/2, so I do not keep or load anything bigger than that.

Bigger shot, whether it's #6 or #4, is utterly unnecessary and the only reason I can think of that the rules even allow shot that large is that in the 1980s, people used those sizes for duck hunting and so they probably were nowhere near as uncommon as they are today.

[Tracker Jack]

11 hours ago, El Chapo said:

I was responding to the question asked.  The maximum size shot allowed on a trap or skeet range is 7 1/2, so I do not keep or load anything bigger than that.

Bigger shot, whether it's #6 or #4, is utterly unnecessary and the only reason I can think of that the rules even allow shot that large is that in the 1980s, people used those sizes for duck hunting and so they probably were nowhere near as uncommon as they are today.

You live in a strange and sheltered world if you think 4 and 6 shot shells are uncommon!!! I can buy them everywhere, even my local Walmart. They are the largest size shot allowed by SASS, pure and simple explanation. Your interpretation, or understanding means nothing to this rule.

[Garrison Joe]

Rabbit and squirrel hunting.  4 and 6 widely used even today.

[El Chapo]

On 4/19/2026 at 9:31 AM, Tracker Jack said:

You live in a strange and sheltered world if you think 4 and 6 shot shells are uncommon!!! I can buy them everywhere, even my local Walmart. They are the largest size shot allowed by SASS, pure and simple explanation. Your interpretation, or understanding means nothing to this rule.

I wanted to know if I was crazy so I asked ChatGPT.  Excluding buckshot and non-toxic shot, somewhere between 2/3 and 3/4 of all shotshells sold are 7 1/2 or smaller.  I think 1 in 3 to 1 in 4 shells is pretty uncommon.  4 and 6 are not common or widely used outside of hunting.  They're entirely banned from clay target fields.  That they can be purchased at Wal-Mart doesn't tell me anything.  I can buy and load #4 shot at Sportsman's any day of the week.  It's never sold out because nobody wants it.  If you don't consider that uncommon, choose your own word to describe it.  There is not a widespread use for large, lead birdshot other than hunting of upland game large enough to require it, which I do not do, because I am a shooter, not a hunter.

[Flying W Ramrod]

6 hours ago, El Chapo said:

I wanted to know if I was crazy so I asked ChatGPT.  Excluding buckshot and non-toxic shot, somewhere between 2/3 and 3/4 of all shotshells sold are 7 1/2 or smaller.  I think 1 in 3 to 1 in 4 shells is pretty uncommon.  4 and 6 are not common or widely used outside of hunting.  They're entirely banned from clay target fields.  That they can be purchased at Wal-Mart doesn't tell me anything.  I can buy and load #4 shot at Sportsman's any day of the week.  It's never sold out because nobody wants it.  If you don't consider that uncommon, choose your own word to describe it.  There is not a widespread use for large, lead birdshot other than hunting of upland game large enough to require it, which I do not do, because I am a shooter, not a hunter.

Once again, and for the last time I hope, the 4 and 6 denote the LARGEST size allowed.

Yes, most folk use 7.5 shot, more pellets on target. SASS said, when they made this rule, they wanted to reduce bounce/splatter. Simple as that.

Find another rule to argue about

[El Chapo]

9 hours ago, Flying W Ramrod said:

Once again, and for the last time I hope, the 4 and 6 denote the LARGEST size allowed.

Yes, most folk use 7.5 shot, more pellets on target. SASS said, when they made this rule, they wanted to reduce bounce/splatter. Simple as that.

Find another rule to argue about

I don't even think we should be allowing large birdshot.  There's no reason and it's more danger because it retains more energy.  I don't see how or why that turns into some sort of argument; you're simply reading something that isn't there.

[Tracker Jack]

On 4/21/2026 at 6:05 PM, El Chapo said:

I don't even think we should be allowing large birdshot.  There's no reason and it's more danger because it retains more energy.  I don't see how or why that turns into some sort of argument; you're simply reading something that isn't there.

Last I checked you don't make the rules, and I have serious doubts about that ever happening. Whine all you want about the rules, it exposes your ignorance. The reason that 4 & 6 shot is listed is to indicate the LARGEST size shot allowed by the rules.

 

[Boggus Deal]

2 hours ago, Tracker Jack said:

Last I checked you don't make the rules, and I have serious doubts about that ever happening. Whine all you want about the rules, it exposes your ignorance. The reason that 4 & 6 shot is listed is to indicate the LARGEST size shot allowed by the rules.

 

Well, yeah, according to SASS, he does make the rules. He’s a paid member and his vote to his TG should determine the rules. 
That being said, it really doesn’t matter what shooters want. SASS will do whatever they please.

[Flying W Ramrod]

2 hours ago, Boggus Deal said:

Well, yeah, according to SASS, he does make the rules. He’s a paid member and his vote to his TG should determine the rules. 
That being said, it really doesn’t matter what shooters want. SASS will do whatever they please.

You, again, are wrong. The members suggest things to their TG's. The TG's discuss these suggestions and, if warranted, have clubs vote via the TG's. Then, if it's not a potential liability to SASS where HQ has to step in, the results of the vote are adopted.

His suggestion, may or not be determined to be valid enough to warrant a club vote.

Again, if you don't like SASS go somewhere else.