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Jim Watson · March 20, 2005, 04:20 PM

Geez what a repressive tyranny. As Jerry Pournelle says: Once we were free.

Surely you have a reliable dealer who stocks or will get you stuff.

Short lesson in shotgun shells, skip if you know it already.
Shotshells are rated by three numbers.
1. Powder charge is usually given in "dram equivalent" just as though they were still loaded with black powder. 3 DE is plenty. If given in velocity, 1150 or 1200 fps is enough. "Tactical", "Reduced Recoil", "Light" or "Lite" is great. Avoid "Max."

2. Shot charge in ounces of birdshot. 1 1/8 oz is 12 gauge standard. 1 1/4 oz is rather a lot, 1 ounce is either an "Extra Light" target load or a discount store load. 7/8 oz is a cheap and nasty promotional load, it will have a heavy powder charge to function autoloaders and so will not have less recoil.
Buckshot is listed by count. Usually eight .36" OOO or nine .33" OO, maybe one less in "tactical" down to 24 or more .24" #4 Buck.

3. Shot size. Smaller number is larger size; subtract the size of birdshot from 17 to get the diameter in hundreths of an inch. Buckshot is different, No 4 Buck is about .24", No 4 Shot is .13" diameter.

I repeat, check out Walmart for Multipurpose or Allpurpose shells. They are usually 3 dram 1 1/8 oz of No 7 1/2 or 8 shot. Many people think they are adequate for defense, they are fine for practice. If you want something nicer quality, get Winchester AA or Remington Premiere STS target loads. If you want something that kicks even less, get Extra Light target loads or one ounce target loads. Their quality is great. About $5 or $6 a box of 25.

I would still see if Friendly Local Overregulated Dealer would get me some Tactical Buckshot about as powerful as those target loads, though.

March 20, 2005, 04:20 PM	#11
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,540	Geez what a repressive tyranny. As Jerry Pournelle says: Once we were free. Surely you have a reliable dealer who stocks or will get you stuff. Short lesson in shotgun shells, skip if you know it already. Shotshells are rated by three numbers. 1. Powder charge is usually given in "dram equivalent" just as though they were still loaded with black powder. 3 DE is plenty. If given in velocity, 1150 or 1200 fps is enough. "Tactical", "Reduced Recoil", "Light" or "Lite" is great. Avoid "Max." 2. Shot charge in ounces of birdshot. 1 1/8 oz is 12 gauge standard. 1 1/4 oz is rather a lot, 1 ounce is either an "Extra Light" target load or a discount store load. 7/8 oz is a cheap and nasty promotional load, it will have a heavy powder charge to function autoloaders and so will not have less recoil. Buckshot is listed by count. Usually eight .36" OOO or nine .33" OO, maybe one less in "tactical" down to 24 or more .24" #4 Buck. 3. Shot size. Smaller number is larger size; subtract the size of birdshot from 17 to get the diameter in hundreths of an inch. Buckshot is different, No 4 Buck is about .24", No 4 Shot is .13" diameter. I repeat, check out Walmart for Multipurpose or Allpurpose shells. They are usually 3 dram 1 1/8 oz of No 7 1/2 or 8 shot. Many people think they are adequate for defense, they are fine for practice. If you want something nicer quality, get Winchester AA or Remington Premiere STS target loads. If you want something that kicks even less, get Extra Light target loads or one ounce target loads. Their quality is great. About $5 or $6 a box of 25. I would still see if Friendly Local Overregulated Dealer would get me some Tactical Buckshot about as powerful as those target loads, though.