Estate Cartridge Super Sport Competition Target Loads: Elevating Your Clay Shooting Performance

For dedicated shotgun enthusiasts and competitive shooters, the quest for consistent, reliable, and high-performing ammunition is paramount. Whether you're honing your skills on the trap field, navigating the challenging sequences of sporting clays, or mastering the rapid presentations of skeet, the ammunition you choose directly impacts your success and enjoyment. Enter the Estate Cartridge Super Sport Competition Target 12 Gauge 2.75" 1 oz 8 Shot – a meticulously engineered shotshell designed to deliver unparalleled consistency and performance, helping shooters break more clays and achieve their personal bests.

This specific load, identified by MPN SS12L18, is crafted for the serious target shooter who demands precision, manageable recoil, and absolute reliability. It’s not just about throwing a load of shot downrange; it’s about a finely tuned system where every component works in harmony to produce optimal patterns and predictable results, shot after shot.

Why Choose Estate Super Sport Competition Target Ammunition?

When it comes to high-volume shooting sports like trap, skeet, and sporting clays, ammunition quality directly translates to performance. Shooters often ask: "What's the best ammunition for consistent clay breaks?" or "How can I reduce felt recoil during long shooting sessions without sacrificing performance?" The Estate Super Sport Competition Target load addresses these critical needs head-on, offering a compelling solution for both seasoned competitors and enthusiastic recreational shooters alike.

Here’s why this 12-gauge 2.75" 1 oz 8 shot load stands out:

• Unwavering Consistency: The hallmark of excellent target ammunition is its ability to perform identically every time. Estate Cartridge achieves this through a precise manufacturing process and premium components, ensuring uniform velocity, consistent patterns, and reliable ignition from shell to shell. This consistency is vital for developing muscle memory and trust in your equipment.
• Optimized for Clay Targets: The 1 oz payload of #8 shot is the gold standard for breaking clay targets. The smaller #8 shot (approximately 0.09 inches in diameter) creates a dense pattern, significantly increasing the probability of hitting and disintegrating fast-moving clays, even at the fringes of the pattern.
• Reduced Felt Recoil: The thoughtful design, incorporating fine progressive burning powder, contributes to a more controlled and softer recoil impulse. For shooters who go through hundreds of rounds in a single session, mitigating felt recoil is crucial for reducing fatigue, maintaining focus, and enabling faster, more accurate follow-up shots.
• Exceptional Value for High-Volume Shooting: Available in 25-round boxes and economical 10-box cases (250 rounds per case), these loads offer an outstanding balance of performance and cost-effectiveness, making them ideal for regular practice and competition.

Diving Deep into the Advanced Components

The superiority of Estate Super Sport Competition Target loads isn't a happy accident; it's the result of carefully selected and integrated components designed for peak performance:

Fine Progressive Burning Powder

Unlike fast-burning powders that can create sharp, uncomfortable recoil, progressive burning powders ignite and burn over a slightly longer duration. This controlled combustion translates to:

• Smoother Recoil: Energy is delivered over a longer period, resulting in a "push" rather than a sharp "kick." This is a significant comfort factor, especially during high-volume shooting sessions, allowing shooters to stay on target longer and perform more consistently without fatigue.
• Consistent Muzzle Velocity: The controlled burn ensures that each load achieves its intended muzzle velocity of 1180 feet per second (fps) with remarkable consistency. This uniformity in velocity is critical for predictable lead calculations on moving targets.
• Clean Burning: Reduced residue build-up in your shotgun barrel means less frequent cleaning and more reliable operation during extended use.

Specially Designed Perforated Wads

The wad is a crucial component that separates the powder from the shot and protects the shot as it travels down the bore. Estate's "specially designed perforated wads" play a vital role in:

• Pattern Uniformity: These wads are engineered to strip cleanly from the shot column upon exiting the muzzle, minimizing disruption to the shot pattern. The result is a tighter, more uniform spread of shot at various distances, leading to more positive breaks.
• Shot Protection: The wad cups cradle the shot, preventing deformation caused by the rapid acceleration and friction against the barrel walls. Undistorted, round shot maintains its ballistic coefficient better, contributing to tighter patterns and consistent performance.
• Gas Seal Integrity: An effective gas seal prevents propellant gases from bypassing the shot column, ensuring maximum energy transfer to the shot and consistent muzzle velocities.

Magnum Grade Multi-Screened Shot

The quality of the shot itself is fundamental to performance. Estate uses "magnum grade multi-screened shot," typically referring to lead shot that has undergone rigorous screening processes to ensure:

• Exceptional Roundness: Perfectly spherical shot flies truer and produces tighter patterns. Irregularly shaped pellets can veer off course, leading to "fliers" that degrade pattern quality.
• Consistent Size: Multi-screening ensures that all pellets within a given shot size (in this case, #8) are remarkably uniform in diameter and weight. This consistency is essential for predictable patterns and effective clay breaks.
• Optimal Hardness: Magnum grade shot often indicates a harder lead alloy, which resists deformation upon ignition and impact with the barrel, further contributing to pattern integrity.

Biaxially-Oriented Plastic Hulls with Brass-Plated Metal Head Sensitive to Uniform Primers

The hull and primer system forms the foundation of the shotshell's reliability:

• Biaxially-Oriented Plastic Hulls: This refers to a manufacturing process where the plastic is stretched in two directions during production, enhancing the hull's strength, durability, and consistency. These hulls are robust enough to withstand the pressures of firing and maintain their crimp integrity. Their consistent dimensions also contribute to reliable feeding and ejection from your shotgun. For reloaders, the durability of these hulls can also be a significant benefit.
• Brass-Plated Metal Head: The brass-plated base provides a secure foundation for the primer and powder charge. The brass plating resists corrosion and facilitates smooth feeding and extraction from the shotgun's chamber.
• Sensitive to Uniform Primers: This indicates that the primer composition and sensitivity are meticulously controlled. A uniform primer ensures reliable and consistent ignition of the powder charge, even under varying temperature conditions. Consistent ignition is the first step towards consistent muzzle velocity and pattern density.

Real-World Applications: Where Does This Ammunition Excel?

The Estate Cartridge Super Sport Competition Target 12 Gauge 2.75" 1 oz 8 Shot is your go-to choice for a variety of clay target disciplines:

• Trap Shooting: This is arguably where the 12 gauge 1 oz #8 load shines brightest. For American Trap, where targets fly away from the shooter at consistent angles, the dense pattern of #8 shot is highly effective. The low recoil aids in managing consecutive shots from the 16-yard line or handicap positions.
• Skeet Shooting: In skeet, targets fly across the shooter from two fixed positions (high house and low house) at various angles and speeds. The quick, dense pattern of #8 shot is excellent for breaking these close-range, fast-moving targets. The reduced recoil also helps with the rapid transitions between stations.
• Sporting Clays: Often called "golf with a shotgun," sporting clays presents targets from various traps, simulating hunting scenarios. These targets can be quartering away, incoming, crossing, or even rabbit targets rolling on the ground. The versatility and consistent performance of the 1 oz #8 load make it a reliable choice across the diverse presentations found on a sporting clays course.
• Five-Stand: A more condensed version of sporting clays, Five-Stand uses multiple trap machines to present a variety of targets to shooters in a fixed position. The requirements for ammunition are similar to sporting clays, making this load an excellent fit.
• General Practice and Training: Beyond formal competitions, this ammunition is ideal for regular practice sessions. Its consistent performance allows shooters to focus on improving their technique, lead, and follow-through, without worrying about ammunition inconsistencies.

Common Questions About Target Ammunition Answered

Shooters often have specific questions when choosing their ammunition. Here are some frequently asked questions related to target loads and how the Estate Super Sport Competition Target load addresses them:

"What shot size is best for clay shooting?"

For most standard clay target disciplines (trap, skeet, sporting clays), #7.5 or #8 shot is generally considered optimal. The Estate Super Sport Competition Target uses #8 shot, which offers an excellent balance of pellet count and individual pellet energy for reliably breaking clays without excessive recoil or cost.

"How does 1 oz compare to 1 1/8 oz for target shooting?"

While 1 1/8 oz loads were historically common, modern advancements in powder technology and wad design mean that a 1 oz load, especially with premium components like those in the Estate Super Sport, can deliver equivalent or even superior patterns and breaks. The primary advantage of a 1 oz load is significantly reduced felt recoil, which is a major benefit during long shooting sessions and for maintaining performance over time.

"Will these shells cycle reliably in my semi-automatic shotgun?"

Yes, the consistent muzzle velocity (1180 fps) and uniform brass-plated metal heads of Estate Super Sport Competition Target loads are designed for reliable feeding and ejection across a wide range of 12-gauge semi-automatic and pump-action shotguns. Their consistent performance helps ensure smooth cycling for a trouble-free shooting experience.

"Are these hulls suitable for reloading?"

The biaxially-oriented plastic hulls and robust brass-plated metal heads are well-regarded for their durability, making them suitable for multiple reloads for those who choose to handload their ammunition. This can extend the value of each shot shell significantly.

"How do I achieve better patterns with my shotgun?"

While shotgun choke selection plays a significant role, consistent ammunition is equally important. The Estate Super Sport's precision-engineered wads and magnum-grade multi-screened shot contribute directly to uniform and dense patterns, which are crucial for consistent clay breaks. Combining these shells with the appropriate choke for your shooting discipline and distance will optimize your pattern.

Trust in Performance: Estate Cartridge Quality

Estate Cartridge has a long-standing reputation for producing reliable and effective ammunition. The Super Sport Competition Target series is a testament to their commitment to quality for the target shooting community. By focusing on critical components like progressive burning powder, specially designed wads, and consistent shot, they provide shooters with the confidence that their ammunition will perform precisely as expected, every single time.

This dedication to consistency means you can focus entirely on your technique, lead, and follow-through, knowing that your ammunition is not a variable. For shooters looking to shave points off their scores, increase their average, or simply enjoy a more comfortable and productive day at the range, the Estate Super Sport Competition Target loads are an indispensable part of their shooting kit.

Ready to experience the difference that truly optimized target ammunition can make? The Estate Cartridge Super Sport Competition Target 12 Gauge 2.75" 1 oz 8 Shot (UPC 604544253481) is available for purchase at DEGuns. Elevate your shooting game with ammunition designed for excellence.

Product Specifications Summary

Feature	Detail
Brand	Estate Cartridge
Series	Competition Target
Model	Super Sport
Gauge	12 Gauge
Length	2.75"
Shot Material	Lead
Shot Size	8
Ounces	1 oz
Muzzle Velocity	1180 fps
Rounds Per Box	25
Boxes Per Case	10
Application	Sport Shooting
SKU	116746
MPN	SS12L18
UPC	604544253481