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shotgun ammo question

joshmb1982joshmb1982 Member Posts: 8,228 ✭✭
edited October 2010 in Ask the Experts
25rds - 20 Gauge NobelSport Hunting 2 3/4" 2 3/4 Dram 1oz. #6

what is dram in shotgun ammo? would this be how tall the bras is?

Comments

  • Laredo LeftyLaredo Lefty Member Posts: 13,451 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Dram equivalent is a way to express the amount of powder in the round. Back in the day shotgun ammo was loaded with black powder. The dram equivalent has to do with a comparable amount of black powder. The higher the DE the hotter the round. It has nothing to do with the brass height.
  • joshmb1982joshmb1982 Member Posts: 8,228 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    so 2 3/4 dram would be the high brass then correct?
  • Laredo LeftyLaredo Lefty Member Posts: 13,451 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    No, it only pertains to the powder charge, not the height of the brass on the shell.
  • joshmb1982joshmb1982 Member Posts: 8,228 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    im looking to get some high brass in #6 shot. places around me here want friggin 15 bucks for a box of 25. been to long since ive had to buy any maybe. my dad worked at walmart in the late 90s. en of hunting season all shotgun ammo went on sale. it was all old stock or something. he bought everything the store had in 20ga. havent had to buy any since. till now.
  • countryfarmercountryfarmer Member Posts: 4,552
    edited November -1
    $15 box for good shells isnt too out of line as long as you dont burn through 4-5 boxes a day.

    Also brass height means nothing nowadays, most times it is there because people expect it to be there. They could do away with it and you would be fine.
  • Tailgunner1954Tailgunner1954 Member Posts: 7,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    "Dram Equiv" best translates to a velocity. IOW that loading would produce the same velocity as 2 3/4 dram measures of black powder
  • nononsensenononsense Member Posts: 10,928 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    joshmb1982,

    Definition:

    Charge of smokeless powder that produces the same velocity as a given number of drams of black powder. A single dram equals 27.3 grains. (1/16 ounce, avoirdupois weight (27.34 grains; 1.77 grams). Abbreviation: dr., dr )

    Best.
  • 11b6r11b6r Member Posts: 16,584 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Background- Back in the day, when shotshells were cardboard, and propellant was black powder, shells with a lot of powder (more drams) could burn thru the paper, so the brass head was extended higher to cover the increased powder column- hence the high brass shell. Since we no longer use black powder or cardboard, the whole high brass/ low brass thing no longer applies- just look for the dram equivalent on the box. I have a few shotshells in my collection that have NO brass- they are entirely plastic- a couple are see thru.
  • joshmb1982joshmb1982 Member Posts: 8,228 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    ok. thanks for all the info guys. learned somethin new today.
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