potashminer: I guess that would be me. I am a Canuck...so my reference to shot sizes is North American-based. I do agree with you though. Can be confusing. It would be so much better if there was a universal world standard for shot sizes. But as long as the current mix of Metric/Imperial measuring systems are around, we're stuck.
As for 'dram equivalent'....Since I'm an old fart that grew up around this system, I find it useful, in some instances. Especially when loading black powder shot shells. In which case, this information comes in handy.
One dram=27.3 grains. So....when I look at a box of smokeless shells that list a dram equivalent of say...2.5 drams...I know that I can load up an equivalent volume of Ffg bp(around 68-70 grains) and should attain a fairly similar velocity. Useful where the velocity of the shotshells isn't already listed on the box.
Or, when using a Lee scoop. The 4.3 gram Lee scoop, for example: (1 gram=15.4 grains) throws around 65-66 grains by volume, of Ffg. Knowing that, I can just go to the Lee scoop, confident in the knowledge that I'm about where I want to be with that particular load. Likewise, I can adjust the volumetric load up or down as needed, by going to a scoop above or below. Then can scoop and dump away... without having to measure each powder charge. I do that too, but the scoop is much faster. Then, I adjust my load column to suit.
For those not familar with loading black powder shotshells....the same measure is used to load both powder charge and shot payload by volume.
For instance: 70 grains Ffg powder/1 oz. shot payload. Approximate.
I don't often see dram equivalent listed on shotshell boxes very often anymore either, so this type of information might be redundant. Can come in handy at times, though.
Al
ps: 3macs1....I mostly use Hummason shot, and can't recall seeing much variation in shot sizes, either. Though I admit I haven't measured any. But don't doubt it could happen.
As for 'dram equivalent'....Since I'm an old fart that grew up around this system, I find it useful, in some instances. Especially when loading black powder shot shells. In which case, this information comes in handy.
One dram=27.3 grains. So....when I look at a box of smokeless shells that list a dram equivalent of say...2.5 drams...I know that I can load up an equivalent volume of Ffg bp(around 68-70 grains) and should attain a fairly similar velocity. Useful where the velocity of the shotshells isn't already listed on the box.
Or, when using a Lee scoop. The 4.3 gram Lee scoop, for example: (1 gram=15.4 grains) throws around 65-66 grains by volume, of Ffg. Knowing that, I can just go to the Lee scoop, confident in the knowledge that I'm about where I want to be with that particular load. Likewise, I can adjust the volumetric load up or down as needed, by going to a scoop above or below. Then can scoop and dump away... without having to measure each powder charge. I do that too, but the scoop is much faster. Then, I adjust my load column to suit.
For those not familar with loading black powder shotshells....the same measure is used to load both powder charge and shot payload by volume.
For instance: 70 grains Ffg powder/1 oz. shot payload. Approximate.
I don't often see dram equivalent listed on shotshell boxes very often anymore either, so this type of information might be redundant. Can come in handy at times, though.
Al
ps: 3macs1....I mostly use Hummason shot, and can't recall seeing much variation in shot sizes, either. Though I admit I haven't measured any. But don't doubt it could happen.
Last edited:
Like me right now
