Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Upland Birds => Topic started by: KP-Skagit on October 18, 2021, 10:10:03 AM

Title: Shotgun - Powder Charge Versus Velocity
Post by: KP-Skagit on October 18, 2021, 10:10:03 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Shotgun - Powder Charge Versus Velocity
Post by: Curly on October 18, 2021, 10:29:19 AM: Quote from: KP-Skagit on October 18, 2021, 10:10:03 AM
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....... :dunno:

Are you asking about amount of shot vs velocity?
Title: Re: Shotgun - Powder Charge Versus Velocity
Post by: KP-Skagit on October 18, 2021, 10:44:27 AM: 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!
Title: Re: Shotgun - Powder Charge Versus Velocity
Post by: CP on October 18, 2021, 11:02:28 AM: 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.