Shotgun shells.

[WSmith]

For shotgun shells. Do you want a higher or lower number for more knock down power . I have a box of number 5 and 6 shot. Seen 7 1/2 at store . I'm assuming that would be a sheet load ?

 

[Bib]

The lower the number, the larger the shot pellets are....thus, the larger the shot, the fewer pellets in each shell. Target loads are 7 1/2, 8 or 9 shot. Hunting loads will usually be loaded to a higher velocity than target loads.

 

[jkc]

Shot size nomenclature is confusing --- in birdshot sizes, such as you mentioned, the larger the number, the smaller the diameter, so, #6 is smaller than #5, and so on, until #12, the smallest numbered size, followed by size "dust", which I've heard of, but never seen loaded in commercial shotshells. #12 is the tiny size used in .22 rimfire shotshells, for example. Buckshot sizes on the other hand range range from 000 ("triple aught") upward thru 00, 0, etc. to #4, in descending diameter. There are additional designations for non-lead shot sizes, as well. Not every increment of size is commonly available or even manufactured as far as I'm aware. You can find loaded shells in #6, 7-1/2, and 9, but I don't think I've ever seen #8 or#10 or smaller in standard guage shotshells, for example. This is tech trivia fraught with arcane measuring and descriptive systems --- approach with caution!

 

[PDL]

The short answer as was posted above is small number - bigger pellets - less pellets per shell.
Knock down with a shotgun is kind of a relative term. It's more like matching load to the intended target. Sticking with the 'bird' shot sizes you mentioned. Bigger birds like pheasant and grouse, maybe rabbit needs a larger shot size like 6. Dove sized targets need a lighter load like 8s, if you want more than feathers for the table. Turkey, needs #4 at least.
It's a matter of how many pellets in the pattern, and how much energy is needed to take down the game. Overall performance is also based on the weight of the shot charge, and the size of the powder charge.

Shot size number was based on how many pellets fit in a particular size circle - don't ask me what size circle, but that's what they used.

 

[Texas Star]

The circle is 40" in diameter.

And you can shoot a "sheet" with any size of shot. If you meant "skeet", 7.5 or 8 shot should work well. Skeet is a game using flat clay "birds".

T-Star

 

[wheelgun28]

Not to hijack the thread but, what are "Drams" and how do they play into the load.

When did they change the way shells are marked also the old shells I have are marked like. 2 1/2-1-6 I know it is a "6" shot, I guess 2 1/2" long and the 1 is drams? This happens to be an old 16 gauge paper shell that sits on a shelf. I have boxes of others marked in the same format.

I have been curious about this for a while now and I never get the same answer twice.

I really like old shotgun shells

 

[john traveler]

A "dram" is a unit of measure used in the Avoisdupois weight system of pounds, ounces, etc. It was used to measure black powder charges for shotgun shells. Therefore, the larger the drams, the more powerful the shell. With the transition to smokeless powder, the power (velocity) of a shotgun shell was expressed as "drams equivalent" since it was not practical to express the weight of the smokeless powder which is much less bulky than the old smokeless powder.

An example would be a 3 dram equivalent 12 gauge shell. It contains the amount of smokeless powder needed to give the velocity of a 3 dram charge of black powder.

 

[dg101win]

Not to hijack the thread but, what are "Drams" and how do they play into the load.

When did they change the way shells are marked also the old shells I have are marked like. 2 1/2-1-6 I know it is a "6" shot, I guess 2 1/2" long and the 1 is drams? This happens to be an old 16 gauge paper shell that sits on a shelf. I have boxes of others marked in the same format.

I have been curious about this for a while now and I never get the same answer twice.

I really like old shotgun shells

The marking 2 1/2-1-6 is 2 1/2 dram equivalent-1 ounce-size 6 shot.
Dram equivalent is a reference/carry over from the old black powder loadings as far as velocity of the load.
Without looking it up in a book I believe this would be a load that travels @ 1200 fps.
So in the old days it would take 2 1/2 drams of black powder to get 1 ounce of shot moving @1200 fps.

 

[m1gunner]

Not to hijack the thread but, what are "Drams" and how do they play into the load.

When did they change the way shells are marked also the old shells I have are marked like. 2 1/2-1-6 I know it is a "6" shot, I guess 2 1/2" long and the 1 is drams? This happens to be an old 16 gauge paper shell that sits on a shelf. I have boxes of others marked in the same format.

I have been curious about this for a while now and I never get the same answer twice.

I really like old shotgun shells

2 1/2 inch shell, 1 ounce of #6 shot

 

[john traveler]

The usual format is drams (equivalent), shot weight, shot size.

Your 2 1/2-1-6 would read as: 2 1/2 dram equivalent of powder, 1 ounce of number 6 shot. A field load suitable for rabbits and squirrels.

A more powerful load for ducks and pheasants would be 3-1 1/8-4: 3 drams equivalent of powder, 1 1/8 oz of number 4 shot. This would give a higher velocity with a heavier load of larger shot.

 

[s&wchad]

Ignoring buckshot, shotshell pellet diameters can be determined (other than measuring) by subtracting the shot size number (expressed as hundredths of an inch) from .170”. It’s easier than it sounds.

.170” - .09” (#9 shot) = .080” pellet dia. for #9 shot
.170” - .06” (#6 shot) = .110” pellet dia. For #6 shot

Larger (heavier) pellets retain more energy at longer ranges and penetrate deeper.

Dram is a black powder term for volume that has been loosely carried over to smokless shell by the manufacturers. 2-¾ drams of black powder has the same volume as 1-1/8 ounces of shot. You could use the same dipper to measure shot and powder for your 12ga (2-¾ drams FFg, 1-1/8 oz shot), which is equivalent to a standard 12ga target load today (about 1200 fps). Loosely speaking, the higher the dram number, the hotter the load.

 

[m1gunner]

The usual format is drams (equivalent), shot weight, shot size.

Your 2 1/2-1-6 would read as: 2 1/2 dram equivalent of powder, 1 ounce of number 6 shot. A field load suitable for rabbits and squirrels.

A more powerful load for ducks and pheasants would be 3-1 1/8-4: 3 drams equivalent of powder, 1 1/8 oz of number 4 shot. This would give a higher velocity with a heavier load of larger shot.

The 2 1/2 would be the dram eq. My mistake

 

[wheelgun28]

Thanks guys!!

Well that explains why some of the old shells I that I shoot every so often have so much wack to them.

4-1 1/8-4

41/4-1 5/8-4

old paper or slightly newer roll crimped plastic shells. They make nice fireballs out of the 18" barrel