Friends-

I went to my first ever pigeon shoot last weekend and had a blast. Several questions however:

The shells we were shooting had blue hulls, high brass and I cannot remember the name of the shells but I believe that they were foreign; any clue as to what they were?

Also, I think the loads were 3 1/4 dram equivalent; 1 1/4 oz of 7 1/2 shot; does that sound correct?

If that is all the load is (see above) why high brass?

If the load information above is correct; will such a load work in a Double A hull?

Thanks in advance.

30 cal the old time Pidgeon load was a 3 1/4 dram 1 1/4oz load (or 1 1/4oz at 1220fps) loaded with english 6's usually
you should be able to make several using the Winchester case winchester's WSF is a good place to start but you could also use Du Pont 800X Alliant Unique and Hogdsons Universal Clays to name a few stick to a recommened load from a loading manual and your set
I suspect the high brass cases are a hangup from earlier times they where used to signify a "powerful load" any of the Winchester compression formed cases will do the Job

Load data will do you no good. Of the hundred or shoots I have been to, no one will let you use reloads. Rules of the game. WW super pigeon loads are good as well as federal premium 3.25 dram 1.25 oz. copper plated. Estates makes a good pigeon load. B&B and a few others such as Armusa do well. Pattern a few and see what shoots best in your rig, that is the best shell for you.

Winchester makes a very good pigeon load.

I like some on the Italian shells with nickel-plated hard shot in 7.5's.

As Deankol said most pigeon shoots require factory loads. If your not shooting any money options they probably won't care. I've had good results using 3 dram trap loads for my first shot and uasualy shoot a full pigeon load for my second. Welcome to the underground brotherhood of pigeon shooters.