Shotgun shells
04-01-2009, 02:00 PM
#2
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Texas - BUT NOW in Madison County, NY
Posts: 6,270
RE: Shotgun shells
"Dram equivalent" indicates the muzzle velocity. Other numbers stand for the amount (ounches) of shot, the other numbers refer to the size of the shot.......
04-01-2009, 06:20 PM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Coralville, IA. USA
Posts: 3,802
RE: Shotgun shells
The first number is the gauge of the shell. Gauge refers to the number of pure lead balls at standard bore diameter required to make one pound. This is why a 20 gauge is smaller than a 12 gauge. Obviously, one must use shells of the same gauge as their shotgun.
Of course, one number refers to the length of the shell. 12 gauge shells generally come in 2 3/4", 3" and 3 1/2". This is important because some shotguns cannot safely chamber shells longer than a certain length. On modern shotguns, the chamber length will almost always be printed on the barrel. NEVER use a shell longer than the stated chamber length.
Shot sizes are a little trickier. Bird shot will be numbered from 9 shot and down, with the larger number indicating a smaller pellet diameter. Once you get below #1 birdshot you get into the lettered shot sizes like "T", "B", "BB", etc... These are larger shot sizes generally used only in non-toxic waterfowl loads, though I have seen "BB" lead shot loads too. Then there is the buckshot. These are much larger pellets, with even more confusion, with sizes like "0" (ought), "00" (double ought), #4 buckshot (not anywhere close to #4 birdshot), etc...
Birdshot
Size, Nominal diameter, Pellets per oz (28 g)Lead, Steel, Quantity per lb.
FF, .23" (5.84 mm),--, 35, --
F, .22" (5.59 mm),--, 39, --
TT, .21" (5.33 mm),
T, .20" (5.08 mm),--, 53, --
BBB, .190" (4.83 mm), 44, 62, 550
BB, .180" (4.57 mm), 50, 72, 650
B, .170" (4.32 mm), --, --, --
1, .160" (4.06 mm) , 72, 103, 925
2, .150" (3.81 mm), 87, 125, 1120
3, .140" (3.56 mm) , 108, 158, 1370
4, .130" (3.30 mm), 135, 192, 1720
5, .120" (3.05 mm) , 170, 243, 2180
6, .110" (2.79 mm), 225, 315, 2850
7½, .095" (2.41 mm), 350, --, 3775
8, .090" (2.29 mm) , 410, 686, 5150
8½, .085" (2.15 mm) , 497, --, --
9, .080" (2.03 mm), 585, 892, 7400
Buckshot:
Size, Nominal diameter, Pellets/oz
000 ("triple-ought"), .36" (9.1 mm), 6
00 ("double-ought"), .33" (8.4 mm), 8
0 ("ought"), .32" (8.1 mm), 9
1, .30" (7.6 mm), 10
2, .27" (6.9 mm), 15
3, .25" (6.4 mm), 18
4, .24" (6 mm), 21
Hope this helps,
Mike
Of course, one number refers to the length of the shell. 12 gauge shells generally come in 2 3/4", 3" and 3 1/2". This is important because some shotguns cannot safely chamber shells longer than a certain length. On modern shotguns, the chamber length will almost always be printed on the barrel. NEVER use a shell longer than the stated chamber length.
DRAM EQUIVALENT
The accepted method of correlating relative velocities of shotshells loaded with smokeless propellant to shotshells loaded with black powder. The reference black powder load chosen was a 3 dram charge of black powder, with 1 1/8 oz. of shot and a velocity of 1200 fps. Therefore, a 3 dram equivalent load using smokeless powder would be with 1 1/8 oz. of shot having a velocity of 1200 fps. or 1 1/4 oz. of shot and a velocity of 1165 fps. A 3 1/4 dram equivalent load might have 1 1/8 oz. of shot and a velocity of 1255 fps. Abbreviated Dram Equiv.
The accepted method of correlating relative velocities of shotshells loaded with smokeless propellant to shotshells loaded with black powder. The reference black powder load chosen was a 3 dram charge of black powder, with 1 1/8 oz. of shot and a velocity of 1200 fps. Therefore, a 3 dram equivalent load using smokeless powder would be with 1 1/8 oz. of shot having a velocity of 1200 fps. or 1 1/4 oz. of shot and a velocity of 1165 fps. A 3 1/4 dram equivalent load might have 1 1/8 oz. of shot and a velocity of 1255 fps. Abbreviated Dram Equiv.
Birdshot
Size, Nominal diameter, Pellets per oz (28 g)Lead, Steel, Quantity per lb.
FF, .23" (5.84 mm),--, 35, --
F, .22" (5.59 mm),--, 39, --
TT, .21" (5.33 mm),
T, .20" (5.08 mm),--, 53, --
BBB, .190" (4.83 mm), 44, 62, 550
BB, .180" (4.57 mm), 50, 72, 650
B, .170" (4.32 mm), --, --, --
1, .160" (4.06 mm) , 72, 103, 925
2, .150" (3.81 mm), 87, 125, 1120
3, .140" (3.56 mm) , 108, 158, 1370
4, .130" (3.30 mm), 135, 192, 1720
5, .120" (3.05 mm) , 170, 243, 2180
6, .110" (2.79 mm), 225, 315, 2850
7½, .095" (2.41 mm), 350, --, 3775
8, .090" (2.29 mm) , 410, 686, 5150
8½, .085" (2.15 mm) , 497, --, --
9, .080" (2.03 mm), 585, 892, 7400
Buckshot:
Size, Nominal diameter, Pellets/oz
000 ("triple-ought"), .36" (9.1 mm), 6
00 ("double-ought"), .33" (8.4 mm), 8
0 ("ought"), .32" (8.1 mm), 9
1, .30" (7.6 mm), 10
2, .27" (6.9 mm), 15
3, .25" (6.4 mm), 18
4, .24" (6 mm), 21
Hope this helps,
Mike
04-01-2009, 06:33 PM
#5
Fork Horn
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: West Michigan
Posts: 305
RE: Shotgun shells
Here are some numbers and what they mean on Shotgun shells.
The first is gauge. Common ones in the US are from biggest to smallest. 10, 12, 16, 20, 28, and .410 (67). In general the bigger the gauge the more powerful the shell.
The next is shell length. Lengths are AFTER the shell is fired and the crimp is opened. 2 3/4", 3", 3 1/2". In general the longer the shell the more powerful it is.
The next would be the shot size, which is the actual size of each pellet. Shot size can range from #9 up to 00 buck shot. The bigger the pellet the more energy it will have (all other things being equal).
Next is the load weight or shot charge. This is the amount of pellets in a given load. It's measured in ounces as a fraction. Examples would be 7/8oz, 1oz, 1 1/8oz, etc. The bigger the number, the more pellets contained within the shell (as long as the shot size is the same).
The last numbers are the Dram Equivalent and Velocity. Drams are measured in fractions and increase by 1/4's. Example 2 3/4Dr. EQ., 3Dr. EQ., 3 1/4Dr. EQ., etc. Most manufactures are moving away from Drams and going to Velocity. Velocity is measured in feet per second from about three feet from the end of the muzzle. The higher the Dram or the faster the load, the more energy the pellet will have (all other things being equal).
A few other things about shot shells.
Materials used for pellets vary. Most common is lead. For water fowling non-toxic loads must be used. The most popular is steel. There are also loads like Bismuth, Hevi-Shot and others. Different materials have different weights. The heavier the material the more energy it has (all other things being equal). Most non-toxic materials are much harder than lead and may not be safe for older guns and fixed full choke guns. The exceptions would be Bismuth and Kent’s Tungsten Matrix.
There a few terms like buffer and plating that also apply to shot shells. Buffer is nothing more than tiny plastic BB's that go in with the other pellets. The buffer fills the small gaps between the pellets. This is to keep the pellets from crushing and or rubbing against each other while being fired to improve patterns.
Plated shot is a coating of either copper or nickel over lead. This is also to keep the softer pellets harder so they don't get crushed while being fired. I also like the added benefit of reduced toxic pellets in the game I intend to eat.
The first is gauge. Common ones in the US are from biggest to smallest. 10, 12, 16, 20, 28, and .410 (67). In general the bigger the gauge the more powerful the shell.
The next is shell length. Lengths are AFTER the shell is fired and the crimp is opened. 2 3/4", 3", 3 1/2". In general the longer the shell the more powerful it is.
The next would be the shot size, which is the actual size of each pellet. Shot size can range from #9 up to 00 buck shot. The bigger the pellet the more energy it will have (all other things being equal).
Next is the load weight or shot charge. This is the amount of pellets in a given load. It's measured in ounces as a fraction. Examples would be 7/8oz, 1oz, 1 1/8oz, etc. The bigger the number, the more pellets contained within the shell (as long as the shot size is the same).
The last numbers are the Dram Equivalent and Velocity. Drams are measured in fractions and increase by 1/4's. Example 2 3/4Dr. EQ., 3Dr. EQ., 3 1/4Dr. EQ., etc. Most manufactures are moving away from Drams and going to Velocity. Velocity is measured in feet per second from about three feet from the end of the muzzle. The higher the Dram or the faster the load, the more energy the pellet will have (all other things being equal).
A few other things about shot shells.
Materials used for pellets vary. Most common is lead. For water fowling non-toxic loads must be used. The most popular is steel. There are also loads like Bismuth, Hevi-Shot and others. Different materials have different weights. The heavier the material the more energy it has (all other things being equal). Most non-toxic materials are much harder than lead and may not be safe for older guns and fixed full choke guns. The exceptions would be Bismuth and Kent’s Tungsten Matrix.
There a few terms like buffer and plating that also apply to shot shells. Buffer is nothing more than tiny plastic BB's that go in with the other pellets. The buffer fills the small gaps between the pellets. This is to keep the pellets from crushing and or rubbing against each other while being fired to improve patterns.
Plated shot is a coating of either copper or nickel over lead. This is also to keep the softer pellets harder so they don't get crushed while being fired. I also like the added benefit of reduced toxic pellets in the game I intend to eat.
04-02-2009, 11:22 AM
#6
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Texas - BUT NOW in Madison County, NY
Posts: 6,270
RE: Shotgun shells
ORIGINAL: driftrider
The first number is the gauge of the shell. Gauge refers to the number of pure lead balls at standard bore diameter required to make one pound. This is why a 20 gauge is smaller than a 12 gauge. Obviously, one must use shells of the same gauge as their shotgun.
Of course, one number refers to the length of the shell. 12 gauge shells generally come in 2 3/4", 3" and 3 1/2". This is important because some shotguns cannot safely chamber shells longer than a certain length. On modern shotguns, the chamber length will almost always be printed on the barrel. NEVER use a shell longer than the stated chamber length.
Shot sizes are a little trickier. Bird shot will be numbered from 9 shot and down, with the larger number indicating a smaller pellet diameter. Once you get below #1 birdshot you get into the lettered shot sizes like "T", "B", "BB", etc... These are larger shot sizes generally used only in non-toxic waterfowl loads, though I have seen "BB" lead shot loads too. Then there is the buckshot. These are much larger pellets, with even more confusion, with sizes like "0" (ought), "00" (double ought), #4 buckshot (not anywhere close to #4 birdshot), etc...
Birdshot
Size, Nominal diameter, Pellets per oz (28 g)Lead, Steel, Quantity per lb.
FF, .23" (5.84 mm),--, 35, --
F, .22" (5.59 mm),--, 39, --
TT, .21" (5.33 mm),
T, .20" (5.08 mm),--, 53, --
BBB, .190" (4.83 mm), 44, 62, 550
BB, .180" (4.57 mm), 50, 72, 650
B, .170" (4.32 mm), --, --, --
1, .160" (4.06 mm) , 72, 103, 925
2, .150" (3.81 mm), 87, 125, 1120
3, .140" (3.56 mm) , 108, 158, 1370
4, .130" (3.30 mm), 135, 192, 1720
5, .120" (3.05 mm) , 170, 243, 2180
6, .110" (2.79 mm), 225, 315, 2850
7½, .095" (2.41 mm), 350, --, 3775
8, .090" (2.29 mm) , 410, 686, 5150
8½, .085" (2.15 mm) , 497, --, --
9, .080" (2.03 mm), 585, 892, 7400
Buckshot:
Size, Nominal diameter, Pellets/oz
000 ("triple-ought"), .36" (9.1 mm), 6
00 ("double-ought"), .33" (8.4 mm), 8
0 ("ought"), .32" (8.1 mm), 9
1, .30" (7.6 mm), 10
2, .27" (6.9 mm), 15
3, .25" (6.4 mm), 18
4, .24" (6 mm), 21
Hope this helps,
Mike
The first number is the gauge of the shell. Gauge refers to the number of pure lead balls at standard bore diameter required to make one pound. This is why a 20 gauge is smaller than a 12 gauge. Obviously, one must use shells of the same gauge as their shotgun.
Of course, one number refers to the length of the shell. 12 gauge shells generally come in 2 3/4", 3" and 3 1/2". This is important because some shotguns cannot safely chamber shells longer than a certain length. On modern shotguns, the chamber length will almost always be printed on the barrel. NEVER use a shell longer than the stated chamber length.
DRAM EQUIVALENT
The accepted method of correlating relative velocities of shotshells loaded with smokeless propellant to shotshells loaded with black powder. The reference black powder load chosen was a 3 dram charge of black powder, with 1 1/8 oz. of shot and a velocity of 1200 fps. Therefore, a 3 dram equivalent load using smokeless powder would be with 1 1/8 oz. of shot having a velocity of 1200 fps. or 1 1/4 oz. of shot and a velocity of 1165 fps. A 3 1/4 dram equivalent load might have 1 1/8 oz. of shot and a velocity of 1255 fps. Abbreviated Dram Equiv.
The accepted method of correlating relative velocities of shotshells loaded with smokeless propellant to shotshells loaded with black powder. The reference black powder load chosen was a 3 dram charge of black powder, with 1 1/8 oz. of shot and a velocity of 1200 fps. Therefore, a 3 dram equivalent load using smokeless powder would be with 1 1/8 oz. of shot having a velocity of 1200 fps. or 1 1/4 oz. of shot and a velocity of 1165 fps. A 3 1/4 dram equivalent load might have 1 1/8 oz. of shot and a velocity of 1255 fps. Abbreviated Dram Equiv.
Birdshot
Size, Nominal diameter, Pellets per oz (28 g)Lead, Steel, Quantity per lb.
FF, .23" (5.84 mm),--, 35, --
F, .22" (5.59 mm),--, 39, --
TT, .21" (5.33 mm),
T, .20" (5.08 mm),--, 53, --
BBB, .190" (4.83 mm), 44, 62, 550
BB, .180" (4.57 mm), 50, 72, 650
B, .170" (4.32 mm), --, --, --
1, .160" (4.06 mm) , 72, 103, 925
2, .150" (3.81 mm), 87, 125, 1120
3, .140" (3.56 mm) , 108, 158, 1370
4, .130" (3.30 mm), 135, 192, 1720
5, .120" (3.05 mm) , 170, 243, 2180
6, .110" (2.79 mm), 225, 315, 2850
7½, .095" (2.41 mm), 350, --, 3775
8, .090" (2.29 mm) , 410, 686, 5150
8½, .085" (2.15 mm) , 497, --, --
9, .080" (2.03 mm), 585, 892, 7400
Buckshot:
Size, Nominal diameter, Pellets/oz
000 ("triple-ought"), .36" (9.1 mm), 6
00 ("double-ought"), .33" (8.4 mm), 8
0 ("ought"), .32" (8.1 mm), 9
1, .30" (7.6 mm), 10
2, .27" (6.9 mm), 15
3, .25" (6.4 mm), 18
4, .24" (6 mm), 21
Hope this helps,
Mike
