[StringSlap]

Every so often the subject of clay ammo pops up. A lot of time it comes from new shooters. They usually ask about achieving better accuracy and state that they are using clay ammo. I, as well as many others on the forum, go on to tell them that clay has inconsistencies in size and weight that prevents them from being a truly viable option for best accuracy. Especially if you are pushing them with bands that are too heavy for them. The picture shows a good example of this. The ball on the left measures 12.37 mm and the one on the right is 13.89 mm. Both from the same batch. The difference is more apparent when in hand compared to the picture.These clay balls have very good consistency as far as actual roundness, but there is clearly a big difference in size and weight. Many are close enough that it wouldn't really matter, but there's no way I'm sorting through 2000 balls to separate into individual groups.

I do think that clay is a valuable training tool to new shooters. A fork hit with clay is much better than with steel. They are capable of doing a lot of damage should a shot go astray, but I'd still prefer a wayward shot to be clay and not steel or a marble. Once they are confident in their ability to at least keep shots inside a catchbox, I think it's time to move on to a more precise form of ammo. I still always use clay when I get a new frame, or make a more drastic change in my setup, as a little "just in case" insurance. Usually not more than 2 or 3 shots though.

On the flip side of that... If your style of shooting is just very casual walks in the woods shooting at various targets of opportunity, or backyard plinking, clay is capable of maintaining "minute of can" accuracy at reasonable distances.

 

[vince4242]

I'm one of those guys, got myself 3000 count of clay balls. When I first started I thought I'd be shooting a lot of clay but found them inaccurate at any kind of distance or less than the lightest bands. I have since moved on to shooting Steel for accuracy and consistency but still have over 2000 rounds of clay? So now I'm shooting it staying 7 to 8 meters away from a special shooting range just for clay. Still fun and slowly I'm using them up ...maybe in the next couple of years I will burn through all of them finally. I still find it very good for working on my release and making everything perfectly consistent each time.

Cheers

 

[Reed Lukens]

I shoot a lot of clay and a lot of rocks as well out here in the Desert, they are not accurate after 20 yards and I've watched them start spiraling at 20 feet or so... lol. But they're fun, clean, and can't be found after a rainstorm. And that's the big plus side to them along with not denting a new slingshot on a trial run. I pick up the clay first on any new slingshot to see if it's shooting ok because all that it takes for a fork hit is to have a band a bit off center or a pouch not centered. I shoot plenty of steel also, but when I'm out popping leaves off of trees, etc. clay works fine, it may take a couple extra shots if one starts boomeranging on me but, it makes me smile either way

 

[DragonEyeShooter1]

I have to agree with Reed, i love my clay i still shoot a lot of steel don't get me wrong but shooting at my catchbox gets boring, I'll never be sniper cus i gotta play to much and get can't stick to one frame or taper i gotta try it all and play too have fun and the clay let's me do that without really worrying about having a misshot, i shoot a lot of .177 BBs too so that keeps my form on point but for a lil more oomph when I'm out plinking the clays are my go to and depending on the bandset Reed is right mine max out at around 20-25ish feet of you're in it for fun clay is a good investment

 

[urbanshooter]

I shoot both steel and clay. Clay is useful to have around for certain pests that I want to scare away but not hurt too much (e.g. birds, monkeys, feral dogs crossing paths with mine).

I also use clay to pick off insects and geckos around the house (I only have to deal with a little bit of clay dust later); and I have also used clay to kill rats in tight spots when I didn't want to have to guess the rebound and risk possible damage to surrounding objects.

Clay is always useful to hand to friends that want to try out a slingshot for the first time. I won't be handing them any steel. There are pros and cons and limitations with any ammo. Maybe we should just think in terms of ammo appropriateness and use whatever is wise for the situation? There are situations that call for clay imo...

 

[Facewizard13]

As a brand new shooter - the idea that it vaporizes into a small cloud when it hits something is whats appealing to me. Any amount of research into it shows that they're less accurate than steel, so I know what I'm getting into.

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[vince4242]

Facewizard13 there is no reason not to really have a blast with clay. Just stay six or seven yards away with some light bands and have some fun watching the clay burst in the cloud for sure! You will find as you get more into the sport you will gravitate one way or the other to find what's works for you for fun or for sport or for hunting.

The best advice I can get his practice practice practice.

Cheers

 

[DragonEyeShooter1]

I think Urbanshooter put it the best, let's not judge the ammo but the intent and situation, i.e. the appropriateness of the situation i really think that is the best way to put it, i love my steel if I'm hunting or wanna target shoot with more accuracy and consistency I'll use steel but the all around general purpose use of clay is what will keep it in my ammo cache, from pests to plinking and beginners to pros there is always a useful spot for clay, also that cloud from the clay when you miss our hot something really solid is one of the best parts IMO lol it's just so darn entertaining!

 

[slingshot_toddly]

I'm one of those guys, got myself 3000 count of clay balls. When I first started I thought I'd be shooting a lot of clay but found them inaccurate at any kind of distance or less than the lightest bands. I have since moved on to shooting Steel for accuracy and consistency but still have over 2000 rounds of clay? So now I'm shooting it staying 7 to 8 meters away from a special shooting range just for clay. Still fun and slowly I'm using them up ...maybe in the next couple of years I will burn through all of them finally. I still find it very good for working on my release and making everything perfectly consistent each time.

Cheers

They best for aerials or close up shoot.

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[slingshot_toddly]

I think Urbanshooter put it the best, let's not judge the ammo but the intent and situation, i.e. the appropriateness of the situation i really think that is the best way to put it, i love my steel if I'm hunting or wanna target shoot with more accuracy and consistency I'll use steel but the all around general purpose use of clay is what will keep it in my ammo cache, from pests to plinking and beginners to pros there is always a useful spot for clay, also that cloud from the clay when you miss our hot something really solid is one of the best parts IMO lol it's just so darn entertaining!

perfectly put.

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[StringSlap]

I'm definitely not downplaying the usefulness, or fun, of clay. In fact 2/3 of the paragraphs I wrote are in favor of it. I was SHOOTING clay when I noticed how inconsistent the clay I was using actually was! Always knew that, but I saw it in my hand and figured I'd post in the moment. My post was really a general response to threads that usually go something like... "I've been practicing with my hunting setup. Using clay ammo until I get accurate enough to use steel, but I can't hit the broadside of a barn. Any tips greatly appreciated." There are variations to the theme, but you get the idea.

Clay is a useful training tool, fun to shoot and has value to experienced shooters as well. The point of the post was that if you're looking to become as accurate as you can, clay won't get you there. If you're end game is shooting cans in your yard and chasing an occasional pest, while keeping things as safe as possible, then clay is clearly the best choice.

 

[Reed Lukens]

I think that the brand and size of clay makes a big difference. The 7/16" Saunders Clod Poppers are really accurate, but the other smaller sizes on ebay or Amazon start spiraling. I think the larger size and quality of the Clod Poppers makes them #1 in my book. I have different sizes of clay and shoot them all, but the most accurate, with the fewest imperfections are the Clod Poppers by far

 

[Heifereye]

Clay ammos are also great for targets! They make a nice puff when hit with steel ammos. Amazon carries 1/2 clay ammo that has enough mass for "more accurate" shooting.

 

[Facewizard13]

Clay ammos are also great for targets! They make a nice puff when hit with steel ammos. Amazon carries 1/2 clay ammo that has enough mass for "more accurate" shooting.

I like that idea, using the ammo as a target lol

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[Devon minnow]

I'm a fan of clay and have also seen the variation in the diameter of the balls. Two ways to increase the accuracy.
(1) weigh each individual ball but this is slow.
(2) make a variable slide with two pieces of 6mm rod about 1m long. Place the two rods side about 9mm apart at top end and about 14mm at the bottom end. This rods at the 9mm end need to be raised to allow the balls to roll down and some form of hopper arrangement to feed the balls with. Place narrow trays underneath the ramp to catch the clay ball as they fall through the rods. A quick and simple way of calibrating the balls into similar sizes which in turn will increase accuracy