I’m going to see my best friend over the holidays. Even though we live almost 1000 miles apart we still talk regularly.

Anyway, he has been into skeet shooting for probably 10 years or so and his birthday is coming up and I’d like to get him some ammo. Unfortunately, I don’t know anything about shooting skeet so I’m looking for some advise on what to get him.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Does he reload? That makes a difference. Then he'd like some higher dollar shells.

Otherwise, cheaper stuff. Think, Winchester White. "Target" loads.

Trainer I worked with for a while swore by B&P. I thought they were a noticeable improvement over what I typically bought (cheapest I could find).

2.75 #9 shot for skeet. Walmart typically has the best price on Winchester white box.

1 1/8 oz. #8 cheapest fodder you can find. Wally World is a good source. I buy 300 - 400 per month.

Do you know if he shoots skeet, trap, or sporting clays? Does he just go shoot occasionally because he enjoys it, or does he shoot in competitions? Does he shoot 12 gauge, 20 gauge, or more?

You really need to be able to answer these questions to have a shot at getting what he would want. If he’s serious, you probably can’t get him what he wants without inside information. Talk to his wife if he’s married, or figure out where he shoots and talk to someone there if they know him. If he’s a regular they’ll know if he brings his own ammo or just buys what they sell.

If he’s not too serious, just buy the right gauge in target loads or light dove rounds, 8 shot or 9 shot, and he’ll use them. If he’s serious, he’s going to want what he shoots.

When you shoot clay targets, you pay per target shot, so another idea would be to get him a gift certificate to the club where he shoots, and he can use it for targets or possibly ammo.

I’d bring it up casually next time you chat. “Hey what are you shooting these days ?” and wait for him to tell you. Then maybe say yeah I was shooting a bit myself and just shooting Walmart white box #8… if there’s any truth in this world, it’s that gun guys like to talk about their ammo and guns.

I am a skeet shooter that competes at the club level.

First and foremost, know the gauge. There are a number of skeet shooters that shoot 20 gauge instead of 12. I shoot 12 gauge and here are some options.

You can't go wrong with a flat of these. https://www.federalpremium.com...p-gun/11-TG12+8.html.

I shoot these, my gun likes 1 oz loads. https://fiocchiusa.com/shotshe...ynamics/12sd1h9.html

A flat (10 boxes) will be around $100. If you have a shotgun specialty shop near you, stop in there. If there is a shotgun specialty shop near your friend, they many know him and his shell preference.

quote:

Anyway, he has been into skeet shooting for probably 10 years or so and his birthday is coming up and I’d like to get him some ammo. Unfortunately, I don’t know anything about shooting skeet so I’m looking for some advise on what to get him.

Ask him.
Tell him you'd like to go skeet shooting with him and you want to know what he likes to shoot. Buy more than you'll shoot, the rest is a gift!
You won't disappoint and will have fun with him to boot.

Thanks for the replies guys.

I just assumed that he is using a 12 gauge but it looks like I’ll need to be sure first.

He does belong to a shooting club in New Hampshire and competes at that level. He shoot’s weekly and, once again, I “assume” that he doesn’t reload but I’ll have to check with his wife first.

Winchester AAs used to be good too, but pricey.

Best bet is to ask him what he shoots and what he recommends or enlist his wife to find out for you if you don't want to ask him directly.

I'd wager with the amount of shooting you says he does, he's already dialed in on a particular load.

One of the posters above mentioned planning a shooting day with him. I second that recomendation.

I'd go with the shooting day recommendation. Since your friend seems much more experienced, perhaps describe it as a outing where he could help you with your technique. That way it comes across as him doing you a favor and, when you hand over the "extra" ammo, it is just you paying him back for his effort. In this scenario I'd expect that he'd gain far more satisfaction from his coaching than any material gift could provide.

Whether he is or isn't a serious competition level shooter, if you pick up some Win AA std or light target loads he will be happy. If he's a good shooter he will appreciate the AAs, and if he's like the rest of us he will shoot harder to justify shooting nice AA ammo, but either way he will like it and thankful that you secured AA specifically for your shoot. If you can't find AAs just get any premium or above-mid quality skeet appropriate ammo and you'll be gtg.

some trap and skeet shooters I deal with are not too picky on brand, they are particular on shot size, and FPS, esp FPS, so do ask the wife

Winchester AA #8 shot and be done with it. He will appreciate your effort and AA’s are a great shell.

This. Bingo. Repeat.