I used to load my own, they work great. For the 12 gauge I would only put in 7/8 oz of shot and I'd take up the extra space above the shot with a ball of fishing line. Using a larger size shot will also put less pellets on the target. I've even hunted rabbits in thick brush with #4 buckshot, that way you only hit him with 3 or 4 pellets that aren't much larger than using a .22.