shotgun shell

[viet4lifeOC]

New to shotgun.

Bought a mossberg 500 persuader 12 gauge 6 shot and a mossberg 500 20 gauge 8 shot shotgun.

My range allows only slugs to used. Will both these mossbergs shoot slugs?

I bought some Walmart Federal 20 gauge multi-purpose loads (20 gauge, 2 1/2 dram eq., 7/8 oz, 7 1/2 shot).

What's a dram?

Does 7 1/2 shot means the number of pellets/shots? The 1/2 is half a shot? Are these birdshot or buck shots?

Can I shoot both 2 3/4" and 3" shotshells in a 3" chamber?

Are game loads birdshot shells?

How come I can't find any #2, #3 buckshots? I see some for 12 gauge, but none for 20?

I've tried to google this, but couldn't find anything very informative.

[CreamyFettucini]

They should shoot slugs fine, just make sure you don't have a full choke on the barrel. The shot size is the size of the pellets. The larger the number, the smaller the shot. If you have a 3" chamber you are good to go with 2 3/4, just don't shoot 3 1/2.

I believe dram is related to the amount of powder used in the shell, but not sure.

[OneStepBehind]

Watch this:

http://youtu.be/YpFlohCmYUk

Yes if the chamber is rated for 3" shells you can use 2.75" shells. DRAM is a measure of propellant. Use rifled slugs not sabot slugs if you don't have a rifled barrel (they're more expensive and less accurate out of a smooth barrel).

[viet4lifeOC]

Thanks guys.

Thanks for the link. Very informative.

So is the 20 gauge walmart federal multi-purpose shells good HD shot for an 11 years old?

But man, #00 buck was devastasting.

So a #00 shots/pellets will be bigger than a #0, which is bigger than #1, which is bigger than #2?

For HD in a home for an 11 years old boy...what's a good HD shotgun shell?

[CreamyFettucini]

Thanks guys.

Thanks for the link. Very informative.

So is the 20 gauge walmart federal multi-purpose shells good HD shot for an 11 years old?

But man, #00 buck was devastasting.

So a #00 shots/pellets will be bigger than a #0, which is bigger than #1, which is bigger than #2?

For HD in a home for an 11 years old boy...what's a good HD shotgun shell?

Right, lower the number, bigger the pellet. That Walmart load will be fine for clay pigeons, but I would stick to a more traditional HD load.

try this for the 20 gauge.

Just make sure you find someplace to practice with whatever ammo you choose.

[NapalmCheese]

Find a range that will let you shoot clays, it's a lot of fun.

Yes, both will shoot slugs. Use lead rifled slugs in the smooth bores.

20 gauge = size of the shell, specifically, number of lead balls whose diameter is equal to the size of your bore it takes to make up a pound. I.e. it takes 20 lead balls sized just small enough to fit in your bore to weigh a pound.

2-1/2 dram eq = This shell contains enough smokeless powder to replicate a 2.5 dram loading of black powder. It is not 2.5 drams of powder, it is equivalent to 2.5 drams of black powder.

7/8 oz = weight of shot charge, there is 7/8 oz of shot in your shell.

7-1/2 shot = size of the shot, this is bird shot. Slightly bigger than #8 and smaller than #6. Generally speaking there is no number #7 (mostly true).

A dram is a measure of powder from the black powder days. It is a volumetric measurement, not a weight measurement.

7-1/2 shot is birdshot.

Yes, you can shoot 2-3/4 inch shells in a 3 inch chambered shotgun.

Remington Game Loads are birdshot (at least I don't think they make slug or buck RGLs).

You don't see #2 or #3 buckshot for a number of reasons. Firstly after literally hundreds of years of people shooting things #2 and #3 lost out on popularity to other sizes (#4, #00 and #000 mostly). Secondly, when you are trying to pack round things into round things, some sizes just don't work well. Thirdly, there isn't a lot of call for 20 gauge buckshot. Most people use buckshot for hunting in certain limited areas and prefer to use a 12 (or even 16) gauge. Other people use it for home defense and prefer 000, 00, or 1 and generally chamber it in a 12 gauge.

As an observation, your google skills are lacking, you are not very patient or you aren't being very honest about looking for these answers. Now go google some more and learn lots of neat stuff.

New to shotgun.

My range allows only slugs to used. Will both these mossbergs shoot slugs?

I bought some Walmart Federal 20 gauge multi-purpose loads (20 gauge, 2 1/2 dram eq., 7/8 oz, 7 1/2 shot).

What's a dram?

Does 7 1/2 shot means the number of pellets/shots? The 1/2 is half a shot? Are these birdshot or buck shots?

Can I shoot both 2 3/4" and 3" shotshells in a 3" chamber?

Are game loads birdshot shells?

How come I can't find any #2, #3 buckshots? I see some for 12 gauge, but none for 20?

I've tried to google this, but couldn't find anything very informative.

[viet4lifeOC]

Right, lower the number, bigger the pellet. That Walmart load will be fine for clay pigeons, but I would stick to a more traditional HD load.

try this for the 20 gauge.

Just make sure you find someplace to practice with whatever ammo you choose.

Thank you for the link.

On further reading...a lot of ppl prefer the 20 gauge in #00 buckshot. Some prefer #3. Can you give me pros/cons.

I'll definateky heed your advice. Plan a trip with my son to an outdoor range to test/practuce/drill. Thus, my need to buy ammo and this thread. Also, realized buckshot and bird**** uses different scale..that's what confused me.

DROSed the mossberg 20 gauge yesterday :-)

[viet4lifeOC]

Find a range that will let you shoot clays, it's a lot of fun.

Yes, both will shoot slugs. Use lead rifled slugs in the smooth bores.

20 gauge = size of the shell, specifically, number of lead balls whose diameter is equal to the size of your bore it takes to make up a pound. I.e. it takes 20 lead balls sized just small enough to fit in your bore to weigh a pound.

2-1/2 dram eq = This shell contains enough smokeless powder to replicate a 2.5 dram loading of black powder. It is not 2.5 drams of powder, it is equivalent to 2.5 drams of black powder.

7/8 oz = weight of shot charge, there is 7/8 oz of shot in your shell.

7-1/2 shot = size of the shot, this is bird shot. Slightly bigger than #8 and smaller than #6. Generally speaking there is no number #7 (mostly true).

A dram is a measure of powder from the black powder days. It is a volumetric measurement, not a weight measurement.

7-1/2 shot is birdshot.

Yes, you can shoot 2-3/4 inch shells in a 3 inch chambered shotgun.

Remington Game Loads are birdshot (at least I don't think they make slug or buck RGLs).

You don't see #2 or #3 buckshot for a number of reasons. Firstly after literally hundreds of years of people shooting things #2 and #3 lost out on popularity to other sizes (#4, #00 and #000 mostly). Secondly, when you are trying to pack round things into round things, some sizes just don't work well. Thirdly, there isn't a lot of call for 20 gauge buckshot. Most people use buckshot for hunting in certain limited areas and prefer to use a 12 (or even 16) gauge. Other people use it for home defense and prefer 000, 00, or 1 and generally chamber it in a 12 gauge.

As an observation, your google skills are lacking, you are not very patient or you aren't being very honest about looking for these answers. Now go google some more and learn lots of neat stuff.

Thanks. A lot of good info.

I read and read...as a poster on another forum pointed out to others...I was getting confused with buckshot and birdshot and that they are labeled differently. Also, after reading through peopke give their different opinions on what's a good HD shot ammo. I've read birdshot..anything else is overkill....read load shotgun alternatively with slug and buckshot, 12 gauge has more recoil thspan 20. No, 12 has less because it's heavier...etc.

I'm definately reading...just gettng a lot of conflicting POV.

Someone hete was kind enough to post a video. Even the youtuber had to question and correct his view on #00 buckshot (those Americans :-) ). This video also shed light and help me understand factoring in powder, size/weight/number of pellets for stopping/penetration.

Reading and trying to understand this is like hearing the great debate glock vs 1911, and caliber wars :-) .

[NapalmCheese]

Thanks. A lot of good info.

I read and read...as a poster on another forum pointed out to others...I was getting confused with buckshot and birdshot and that they are labeled differently. Also, after reading through peopke give their different opinions on what's a good HD shot ammo. I've read birdshot..anything else is overkill....read load shotgun alternatively with slug and buckshot, 12 gauge has more recoil thspan 20. No, 12 has less because it's heavier...etc.

I'm definately reading...just gettng a lot of conflicting POV.

Someone hete was kind enough to post a video. Even the youtuber had to question and correct his view on #00 buckshot (those Americans :-) ). This video also shed light and help me understand factoring in powder, size/weight/number of pellets for stopping/penetration.

Reading and trying to understand this is like hearing the great debate glock vs 1911, and caliber wars :-) .

[NapalmCheese]

Another interesting fact is that he so called magnum rounds (usually the 3 inch or 3.5 inch 12 gauge stuff) typically doesn't have much (if any) more powder than the 2-3/4 inch brethren. They simply have a heavier shot charge, meaning more pellets. There are exceptions and reading the box is a good way to figure this out. Anything that shoots 2 oz of shot at 1100 fps (like say a turkey load) is going to have more powder than something that shoots 1 oz at 1100, but that's not why the shell is longer, it doesn't have THAT much more powder in it.

[viet4lifeOC]

napalmcheese,

Truly appreciate the information you given me.

This is definately interesting reading.

Ok...want to know your opinion for my specific need.

I have an 11 years-old son. Bought him a mossberg 500 20 gauge. Yes, bought him a pre paid cell phone and reinforced the doors.

What are optimal HD ammo for 20 gauge inside a home? Please list me some recommendations due to the difficulty of finding them. I'd like to buy them and go shoot with my son.

Again..thank you.

[Summers]

Also in this months Field and stream there is an article about shotgun shells and shotguns, the article is very informing and will give you a lot of insight.

This article with photos might be what your looking for as well.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot22.htm

Read this also

http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs10.htm

If you want him to become familiar with the new shotgun grab a value pack of the 100 rounds of federal dove loads the #7 1/2 or #8 and a box of clays and cheap clay thrower and go and shoot the gun, all which can be found at Wal-mart. I think that the time spent with the gun and understanding the working functions of the gun at first should be the priority then worry about what number buck shot you need for HD.

[viet4lifeOC]

Also in this months Field and stream there is an article about shotgun shells and shotguns, the article is very informing and will give you a lot of insight.

This article with photos might be what your looking for as well.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot22.htm

Read this also

http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs10.htm

If you want him to become familiar with the new shotgun grab a value pack of the 100 rounds of federal dove loads the #7 1/2 or #8 and a box of clays and cheap clay thrower and go and shoot the gun, all which can be found at Wal-mart. I think that the time spent with the gun and understanding the working functions of the gun at first should be the priority then worry about what number buck shot you need for HD.

Thanks for the links.

I totally agree with your suggestion about buying the walmart value pack and learning to use the shotgun. I've already bought about 200 rounds for practice at an outdoor range. Just wanted to get some HD shots to check reliabilty and see if he could handle the recoil.

As someone suggested and linked...remington express 2 3/4 #3. Found some at cheaper than dirt.

Again..thank you for the link.

Thank you everyone for the advice...really helped steer me in the right direction.

[Subotai]

For HD in a home for an 11 years old boy...what's a good HD shotgun shell?

Take a shell, empty out the rounds leaving the charge. Then get a dowel rod, a cup, and a molotov cocktail, and........

[viet4lifeOC]

This article with photos might be what your looking for as well.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot22.htm

Read this also
http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs10.htm

Great info. Bookmarked them both. Boxoftruth was great. Pictures really helped.

"A police officer was involved in some shotgun training, where they used #6 birdshot in the training due to lower cost. After the training session, he forgot to remove the birdshot and replace it with 00 Buckshot, the normal carry load.That night, while on patrol, he confronted a couple of burglars and was in a shootout with them. He shot both of them with his shotgun, but forgot that he had it loaded with birdshot."

They killed the officer and escaped.

Glad I asked for info. I read people on other forums advocating the use of birdshot as an effective HG shotgun ammo.

Again...many thanks for all who offeredsuggestions.