Dram Equivalence & Velocity Table

damage inc · April 9, 2006, 02:20 PM

Does anyone know if there is a table or chart that tells the dram equivalence and velocity for different oz loads? Sometimes boxes of shells only say the velocity and I don't know what the dram equivalence is. I need to know if some shells will be ok for trap. Thanks.

auto45 · April 9, 2006, 03:01 PM

Drams doen't tell you anything the velocity doesn't. It's an old method that really doesn't mean much any more IMHO, since there are so many different types of loads today.

But, in 12 gauge 1 1/8 oz, generally 2 3/4 drams is @ 1150 FPS.
3 dram is @ 1200 fps
3 1/4 dram is @ 1230-1250 fps.

In the "old days", 2 3/4 drams was considered a light load, 3 dram the "standard" and 3 1/4 was "hot".

All fine for trap.

damage inc · April 9, 2006, 03:25 PM

Thanks for the reply. One of the trap ranges nearby allows a max dram equivalent of 3 so I just want to be sure that I don't go over. By knowing what dram certain shells are by knowing the velocity will help me out. When you say 2 3/4 dram is generally 1150, 3 dram is 1200, 3 1/4 dram is 1230-1250, that all refers to 1 1/8 oz loads?

auto45 · April 10, 2006, 02:03 PM

Yes,

I'd say to stay in the 1200 FPS range since the club doesn't want the shot to travel too far.
And, you are not going to gain much going faster than 1200 FPS anyway, even on a 1 oz load IMO. The 1oz can be a bit higher.

I would ask the club the maximum speed they will allow.

Good luck!

fairview mick · April 10, 2006, 05:54 PM

I believe that the 3 dram rule your range has is a rule made by the ATA(a national rule). Usually, 2&3/4 dram is for 16 yd and 3 dram is for handicap. A lot of the best AAA, 27 yarders use 2&3/4 for everything. For years when I shot from the 25&1/2 yard stripe, I used nothing but 2&3/4 dram #8's so I didn't have to change the reloader around. I did all right with that load 9th in Ohio and 35th in the country from that yardage.

johnbt · April 11, 2006, 07:00 AM

http://www.gunsandammomag.com/ammunition/shot_0903/

Gauge Shell Length (in) Barrel Length (in)* Dram Equivalent Shot Charge (oz) Velocity (fps) ***
10 3 1/2 32 4 1/2 2 1/4 1,210
12 3 30 4 1 7/8 1,210
12 2 3/4 30 4 1 1/2 1,260
12 2 3/4 30 3 3/4 1 1/4 1,330
12 2 3/4 30 3 1/4 1 1/4 1,210
12 2 3/4 30 3 1 1/8 1,200
16 2 3/4 28 3 1/4 1 1/8 1,295
20 3 28 3 1/4 1 1/4 1,190
20 2 3/4 26 2 3/4 1 1,220
28 2 3/4 26 2 1/4 3/4 1,125
.410 3 26 Maximum 1 1/16 1,135
*All barrels are full choke. **All velocities measured three feet from the muzzle.

April 9, 2006, 02:20 PM	#1
damage inc Member Join Date: February 10, 2006 Posts: 69	Dram Equivalence & Velocity Table Does anyone know if there is a table or chart that tells the dram equivalence and velocity for different oz loads? Sometimes boxes of shells only say the velocity and I don't know what the dram equivalence is. I need to know if some shells will be ok for trap. Thanks.

April 10, 2006, 05:54 PM	#5
fairview mick Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2005 Location: North Olmsted Posts: 795	tO dAMAGE I believe that the 3 dram rule your range has is a rule made by the ATA(a national rule). Usually, 2&3/4 dram is for 16 yd and 3 dram is for handicap. A lot of the best AAA, 27 yarders use 2&3/4 for everything. For years when I shot from the 25&1/2 yard stripe, I used nothing but 2&3/4 dram #8's so I didn't have to change the reloader around. I did all right with that load 9th in Ohio and 35th in the country from that yardage. __________________ 90% of my hard earned money went to Hot women, fast bikes and guns. THE REST I WASTED!!!!! Mickey-NRA life member

April 9, 2006, 03:01 PM	#2
auto45 Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2002 Posts: 427	Drams doen't tell you anything the velocity doesn't. It's an old method that really doesn't mean much any more IMHO, since there are so many different types of loads today. But, in 12 gauge 1 1/8 oz, generally 2 3/4 drams is @ 1150 FPS. 3 dram is @ 1200 fps 3 1/4 dram is @ 1230-1250 fps. In the "old days", 2 3/4 drams was considered a light load, 3 dram the "standard" and 3 1/4 was "hot". All fine for trap.

April 9, 2006, 03:25 PM	#3
damage inc Member Join Date: February 10, 2006 Posts: 69	Thanks for the reply. One of the trap ranges nearby allows a max dram equivalent of 3 so I just want to be sure that I don't go over. By knowing what dram certain shells are by knowing the velocity will help me out. When you say 2 3/4 dram is generally 1150, 3 dram is 1200, 3 1/4 dram is 1230-1250, that all refers to 1 1/8 oz loads?

April 10, 2006, 02:03 PM	#4
auto45 Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2002 Posts: 427	Yes, I'd say to stay in the 1200 FPS range since the club doesn't want the shot to travel too far. And, you are not going to gain much going faster than 1200 FPS anyway, even on a 1 oz load IMO. The 1oz can be a bit higher. I would ask the club the maximum speed they will allow. Good luck!

April 11, 2006, 07:00 AM	#6
johnbt Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Posts: 6,004	http://www.gunsandammomag.com/ammunition/shot_0903/ Gauge Shell Length (in) Barrel Length (in)* Dram Equivalent Shot Charge (oz) Velocity (fps) *** 10 3 1/2 32 4 1/2 2 1/4 1,210 12 3 30 4 1 7/8 1,210 12 2 3/4 30 4 1 1/2 1,260 12 2 3/4 30 3 3/4 1 1/4 1,330 12 2 3/4 30 3 1/4 1 1/4 1,210 12 2 3/4 30 3 1 1/8 1,200 16 2 3/4 28 3 1/4 1 1/8 1,295 20 3 28 3 1/4 1 1/4 1,190 20 2 3/4 26 2 3/4 1 1,220 28 2 3/4 26 2 1/4 3/4 1,125 .410 3 26 Maximum 1 1/16 1,135 All barrels are full choke. *All velocities measured three feet from the muzzle.