kimurabean Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 This might sound a little odd, but I take my Benelli M4 trap or skeet shooting regularly. Today, I was using the shells they sell you at the range (Low Recoil 12g, 1oz #8). Out of the 75 shells I shot, 4 or 5 of them jammed in the barrel so bad I needed to use my needle nose pliers to pull the shell out of the barrel. Assumption 1: I assume the low recoil shell doesnt have enough kick to push back the slide far enough to completely eject the spent shell. Assumption 2: I also assume I need a different round with enough kick to push the slide (not sure thats the right terminology) completely back to eject the shell. I spoke with my local armorer, he recommended using a shell made for real game instead of a shell labeled "target", "clay" or "sporting". I am looking through various bird shot vendors, but I want to make sure I buy a bulk load of the right ammo. Any suggestions as to what ammo I should use? My home defense rounds are PDX 12g 00 Buck, so I think Im good there. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truckcop Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 I use Fiocchi Crushers or Winchester SuperX Heavy Game loads. No issues with shotgun function. Got my last 4 cases of Crushers from Abel Ammo. I usually get the Winchester from WalMart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDA1 Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 How well lubed is your M4? How broken in? Low recoil 1 oz shells are pretty light to cycle the action ( a well lubed, well broken in M4 may cycle them reliably), simply go with a higher pellet load (1 1/8 oz or more), standard recoil shell (higher dram) and see how well it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimurabean Posted March 2, 2013 Author Share Posted March 2, 2013 How well lubed is your M4? How broken in? Low recoil 1 oz shells are pretty light to cycle the action ( a well lubed, well broken in M4 may cycle them reliably), simply go with a higher pellet load (1 1/8 oz or more), standard recoil shell (higher dram) and see how well it works. I lube that sucker up pretty good with Frog Lube. I just recently loaded these rounds in my Shopping Cart. I did some reading on the DRAM rating and I think a 3.25 Dram, 1290fps 12g round will do. Ill check it out next range trip and get back with you. Link to rounds from AmmoToGo.com http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/product_info.php/pName/25rds-12-gauge-estate-2-34-3-14-dram-1oz-8-shot-ammo/cName/12-gauge-birdshot Thanks for the quick reply... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M4Whore Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 The problem with the inexpensive shells is the fact that the base metal is steel (silver in color) and not brass. The harder steel, being less malleable expands to fill the chamber but does not contract closer to its original size as brass does making it more difficult to extract from the chamber of your barrel. Remington STS or Winchester AA are the best reloadable shells out there. The amount of payload 1oz vs: 1 1/8oz should not make a different. It is the powder charge that makes your gun function. Case in point, 00 Buck and Slugs are 1 oz payloads and should be 100% reliable in your gun. You might also try polishing your chamber with 0000 steel wool wrapped around a wooden dowel and chucked in a drill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikegli Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 The only thing odd about using an M4 for trap/skeet/sport clays is the odd looks you'll get from the folk shooting 391s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimurabean Posted March 3, 2013 Author Share Posted March 3, 2013 The only thing odd about using an M4 for trap/skeet/sport clays is the odd looks you'll get from the folk shooting 391s. lol - i think those are the rentals they offer at the range. Kinda like the old used-up driver they offer beginners at the driving range. BAZINGA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cspcrx Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 I us the walmart 100 round boxes for sporting clays with my M4. I actually had the lady at the range ask what I was going to use and when I showed her my M4 she actually said "that wont work". That's odd seems to function just fine and breaks flying clay things too! Are the better tools for the job, you bet, but this is what I have. Have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimurabean Posted March 22, 2013 Author Share Posted March 22, 2013 Thanks for the info guys and gals. Just wanted to let you know I finally got a chance to test some 3.25 dram 12g bird shot rounds and the M4 didn't jam once. Here's a little gun porn.. BEFORE... [ATTACH=CONFIG]2028[/ATTACH] AFTER... [ATTACH=CONFIG]2029[/ATTACH] I love my M4.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoGunChuck Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 Went to the range yesterday and shot a box of Remington STS Light Target Loads through my M4, without any malfunctions. After reading this thread I was concerned they might not work, but they did. Taking a skeet class this March, and think I will use the Benelli instead of my trusty old Weatherby Model 82. Only gripe I have with the M4 is that stock recoil pad sucked when shooting in a T-shirt, as we do here in Arizona. Replaced it with a Limbsaver and now it is a joy to shoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDeeeeeeee Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I've shot thousands of rounds of target loads through my M4 on the skeet field. Finally this last year I had a few jams one day, took it home and pulled the pistons out, scrubbed the carbon off, and she's as good as new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4BFamily Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Depends on the gun, but 1 oz is generally the minimum. Cheaper shells are generally 1 1/8 at 1200 fps and they most assuredly will cycle the gun. Say what you want about the 391s. They'll run dirtier than anything else (and I love my Benellis). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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