what is a magnum shotgun shell?
#2
RE: what is a magnum shotgun shell?
They will all shoot "Mag" dram shells. Unless the barrels are made of damascus (twist) steel. In which case you should not fire the gun without first seeing a gunsmith to have it checked out, and still not shoot mags out of it.
What sort of firearm to do you have? Anything in particular you can tell us?
Stamped on the barrel will be a chamber length. General rule is guns can shoot shorter shells than listed, but not longer than. For example, your barrel may read, for 3" or shorter shells, which means you can shoot ANY 2 3/4" or 3" shell in that gauge. That includes "magnums", as long as they do not exceed the length stamped on the barrel.
What sort of firearm to do you have? Anything in particular you can tell us?
Stamped on the barrel will be a chamber length. General rule is guns can shoot shorter shells than listed, but not longer than. For example, your barrel may read, for 3" or shorter shells, which means you can shoot ANY 2 3/4" or 3" shell in that gauge. That includes "magnums", as long as they do not exceed the length stamped on the barrel.
#4
RE: what is a magnum shotgun shell?
We don't use actual drams of powder any more. Dram measurements were used with black powder. However, the word"dram" is still used to describe the velocity that you can get from any given shot shell load.
What all this means is this... Back when drams ofblack powderwere usedit was measured in drams. "X" drams produced "X" velocity with "X" amount of shot.Modern smokeless powder that produces "X" velocity with "X" amount of shot is listed with the same "dram" rating as was used with black powder cartridges.
Basically all this dram stuff is just a modern equivalant velocity rating with any given weight of shot.
What all this means is this... Back when drams ofblack powderwere usedit was measured in drams. "X" drams produced "X" velocity with "X" amount of shot.Modern smokeless powder that produces "X" velocity with "X" amount of shot is listed with the same "dram" rating as was used with black powder cartridges.
Basically all this dram stuff is just a modern equivalant velocity rating with any given weight of shot.
#5
RE: what is a magnum shotgun shell?
ORIGINAL: salukipv1
magnum, and max shells, one relates to the greatest power load....the other greatest amount of shot. I think max is most shot, magnum is most powder.
magnum, and max shells, one relates to the greatest power load....the other greatest amount of shot. I think max is most shot, magnum is most powder.
Sort of... you are barkin up the right tree. One relates to powder (mag), one relates to SAMMI pressures (max) with respect to powder/shot. But they are both tied together.
#6
RE: what is a magnum shotgun shell?
ORIGINAL: bigbulls
We don't use actual drams of powder any more. Dram measurements were used with black powder. However, the word "dram" is still used to describe the velocity that you can get from any given shot shell load.
What all this means is this... Back when drams of black powder were used it was measured in drams. "X" drams produced "X" velocity with "X" amount of shot. Modern smokeless powder that produces "X" velocity with "X" amount of shot is listed with the same "dram" rating as was used with black powder cartridges.
Basically all this dram stuff is just a modern equivalant velocity rating with any given weight of shot.
We don't use actual drams of powder any more. Dram measurements were used with black powder. However, the word "dram" is still used to describe the velocity that you can get from any given shot shell load.
What all this means is this... Back when drams of black powder were used it was measured in drams. "X" drams produced "X" velocity with "X" amount of shot. Modern smokeless powder that produces "X" velocity with "X" amount of shot is listed with the same "dram" rating as was used with black powder cartridges.
Basically all this dram stuff is just a modern equivalant velocity rating with any given weight of shot.
Toros grande is correct.
The reference charge they used was a 3 dram of black powder with 1 1/8oz shot which gave a velocity of 1200fps. So when you see a target 12ga load that reads across the box: 12 1 1/8 3 8 that means you have a 12ga with 1 1/8oz shot, going 1200 fps, size #8 shot. Most companies now just list the fps, which makes a lot more sense to me. Some list both. The MAX loads depend entirely upon the shot charge... you can get MAX loads in 1 1/4oz or 2 1/4oz in a 12ga 3.5" shell.
#7
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: S.W. Pa.-- Heart in North Central Pa. mountains-
Posts: 2,600
RE: what is a magnum shotgun shell?
ORIGINAL: SwampCollie
Essentially they just did it to confuse the hell out of everyone.
Toros grande is correct.
The reference charge they used was a 3 dram of black powder with 1 1/8oz shot which gave a velocity of 1200fps. So when you see a target 12ga load that reads across the box: 12 1 1/8 3 8 that means you have a 12ga with 1 1/8oz shot, going 1200 fps, size #8 shot. Most companies now just list the fps, which makes a lot more sense to me. Some list both. The MAX loads depend entirely upon the shot charge... you can get MAX loads in 1 1/4oz or 2 1/4oz in a 12ga 3.5" shell.
ORIGINAL: bigbulls
We don't use actual drams of powder any more. Dram measurements were used with black powder. However, the word "dram" is still used to describe the velocity that you can get from any given shot shell load.
What all this means is this... Back when drams of black powder were used it was measured in drams. "X" drams produced "X" velocity with "X" amount of shot. Modern smokeless powder that produces "X" velocity with "X" amount of shot is listed with the same "dram" rating as was used with black powder cartridges.
Basically all this dram stuff is just a modern equivalant velocity rating with any given weight of shot.
We don't use actual drams of powder any more. Dram measurements were used with black powder. However, the word "dram" is still used to describe the velocity that you can get from any given shot shell load.
What all this means is this... Back when drams of black powder were used it was measured in drams. "X" drams produced "X" velocity with "X" amount of shot. Modern smokeless powder that produces "X" velocity with "X" amount of shot is listed with the same "dram" rating as was used with black powder cartridges.
Basically all this dram stuff is just a modern equivalant velocity rating with any given weight of shot.
Toros grande is correct.
The reference charge they used was a 3 dram of black powder with 1 1/8oz shot which gave a velocity of 1200fps. So when you see a target 12ga load that reads across the box: 12 1 1/8 3 8 that means you have a 12ga with 1 1/8oz shot, going 1200 fps, size #8 shot. Most companies now just list the fps, which makes a lot more sense to me. Some list both. The MAX loads depend entirely upon the shot charge... you can get MAX loads in 1 1/4oz or 2 1/4oz in a 12ga 3.5" shell.
#9
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location:
Posts: 99
RE: what is a magnum shotgun shell?
ORIGINAL: ryharris1983
do all shotguns shoot magnums or not? Should it be stamped on the barrel if it does?
do all shotguns shoot magnums or not? Should it be stamped on the barrel if it does?
#10
Typical Buck
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Wide open Nevada
Posts: 515
RE: what is a magnum shotgun shell?
OK Guys Maginum relates to the shot charge maximum IS the powder charge . As a guide 1 1/8 oz is standard at 1 1/4 Most are labled mag . NOT all 3" 12 ga are magnums .
To my knowledge excepting the 3 1/2 only the autos specify mag or not .
To my knowledge excepting the 3 1/2 only the autos specify mag or not .