Shotgun - Powder Charge Versus Velocity

[KP-Skagit]

Question for those that know more about this than I do. Essentially, what is more important when the shot size is the same? Powder charge or muzzle velocity? Shells commonly state both, I have some ammo that has a lighter charge, but higher velocity. Seems to me that powder charge is likely less important than velocity. Perhaps powder charge was more commonly used before chronographs and we have just been holding onto it. Different powders might produce more energy than others based on a given weight.

I picked up a 28 guage during the off-season and have been loving it for chukar. I am a little more conscious of load choice now compared to my 12 ga however. I have some 1 oz shells that push things 1200 FPS and some 5/8 oz that push 1350.

[Curly]

Question for those that know more about this than I do. Essentially, what is more important when the shot size is the same? Powder charge or muzzle velocity? Shells commonly state both, I have some ammo that has a lighter charge, but higher velocity. Seems to me that powder charge is likely less important than velocity. Perhaps powder charge was more commonly used before chronographs and we have just been holding onto it. Different powders might produce more energy than others based on a given weight.

I picked up a 28 guage during the off-season and have been loving it for chukar. I am a little more conscious of load choice now compared to my 12 ga however. I have some 1 oz shells that push things 1200 FPS and some 5/8 oz that push 1350.

Powder charge is essentially meaningless.  The velocity is what really matters.  The higher the velocity, the farther you can theoretically kill with it.......(I say theoretically because if the pattern sucks, it doesn't really matter if it faster).

With that said though, I don't believe I've ever seen a manufacturer state the powder charge weight on the box.  Sometimes they might say Dram Equiv.......

Are you asking about amount of shot vs velocity?

[KP-Skagit]

Looks like I was misled by some labeling. One box says Dram Eq and no ounces, the other, ounces but no dram. I had therefore, interpreted they were saying the same thing.

Looks like I was misinterpreting ounces of shot as ounces of powder.

As I said, I am used to feeding my 12 "whatever's cheapest" so have never gotten into this much.

Thank you!

[CP]

Dram eq is a holdover from black powder days.  Doesn't mean much anymore.  Powder amount is never given on shotgun shells; it would be meaningless without knowing what the powder is.