Shot size comparison

scorpion_tyr · March 28, 2009, 08:52 PM

I'm a hands on learner, and I got curious tonight so I tore apart some shells to see for myself what was in each one and compare them. I figured I would share a little snapshot with anyone else on here who might be curious as well.

All were 12 gauge 2 3/4" shells.

Left to Right:

7 1/2---4BK---1BK---0BK---00BK---000BK---Slug

Waterengineer · March 28, 2009, 09:07 PM

I find it interesting that anyone would have that selection of shells laying around the house. Can you write about that?

scorpion_tyr · March 28, 2009, 09:18 PM

Yes, I can.

I bought a used 870 to make into a HD gun. A previous owner had cut the barrel down. I have a lot of different shells so next time I get a chance to go shoot I can see what kind of patterns I get from each. And I'm just now getting into shotguns so I bought a few boxes of everything to experiment around with.

Waterengineer · March 28, 2009, 09:20 PM

OK, that make sense. I was thinking hunting not HD.

I couldn't figure out why someone would have all those buck shots and live in TX, which, obviously, is not one of the states where you have to hunt deet with a shotgun.

Be good, be safe.

oneounceload · March 28, 2009, 09:40 PM

When you say the previous owner cut it down.....do you mean to approx 18 inches, without a choke?

hogdogs · March 28, 2009, 09:52 PM

GEEZ, You had to cut them apart to collect the shot?
I just have my wife shoot at me and catch the pellets as they approach

DISCLAIMER I was jist kiddin' and don't suggest that technique for collecting pellets...
Brent

scorpion_tyr · March 28, 2009, 11:09 PM

Quote:

When you say the previous owner cut it down.....do you mean to approx 18 inches, without a choke?

Yes. 18.75" to be exact. It looked like they just took a hacksaw to it. I had my gunsmith smooth and even it out though. The good news for me is that I have a short barrel with a rib so I was able to attach the sights I wanted and I have the option of firing 3.5" shells out of it if I want. It's a Super Magnum, and I have no intention of shooting 3.5"ers, but I kind of like the option.

Hogdogs: You never fail to put a smile on my face.

I'm afraid to try that with my wife. She doesn't like the shotgun, she likes her .45

colostomyclown · March 28, 2009, 11:17 PM

Interesting thread. Good job.

kno3mike · March 28, 2009, 11:47 PM

Thanks for the post...good info...I never see any 1bk for sale around here....now with the price of ammo you better put them back together....

feralBoy · March 28, 2009, 11:48 PM

That's a pretty cool pic. The first thing I thought about when I saw it, was which would I like to get hit with the least. I've heard 1bk is best for HD, but that 000bk looks NASTY.

OLNfan · March 29, 2009, 12:19 AM

thank you very much! Iv always wanted to do this but never had the time. thanks again! (who am I kidding I didnt have the time, Im just a cheap skate and didnt want to end up losing 1 type of shell from the pack of slugs, buck, etc! hah)

zippy13 · March 29, 2009, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hogdogs

GEEZ, You had to cut them apart to collect the shot?
I just have my wife shoot at me and catch the pellets as they approach

Hey Brent, are you gonna post a youtube where you catch a slug between your teeth?

Cheers,
Pete

.45 COLT · March 29, 2009, 10:16 PM

Scorpion - would you measure the diameter of the 00? Remington is the only brand of 00 that I haven't been able to get hold of. Also, was the 00 in a cup or not, and how was it layered - 2s or 3s? Thanks.

DC

ibe4buckshot · March 29, 2009, 10:16 PM

Nice!

scorpion_tyr · March 29, 2009, 11:28 PM

.45 COLT,

I would love to measure it, but unfortunately I don't even have a ruler handy. I plan on getting a micormeter and some other little gadgets so I can make more precise comparisons. I'll remember the info you asked for and I plan on making a more "professional" looking display in which I'll post it. Thanks for the suggestions.

.45 COLT · March 30, 2009, 06:43 AM

The reason I ask is that most factory loads of 00 Buck aren't really 00 Buck. They measure .315" to .317", smaller than 0 Buck. I'm reasonably sure that Remington does the same thing, just want to know for sure. The reason they do that is 00 Buck (.330") can't be layered in 3s inside a shot cup (in a 12 Gauge), but who would buy a load sold as "Not Quite 0 Buck"?

DC

scorpion_tyr · March 30, 2009, 11:53 AM

Hmmm... well I can tell you that the 00 BK I opened up is indeed bigger than the 0 BK. Not by much, but all the shots I opened up got bigger as I expected.

**Mike Irwin** · March 30, 2009, 12:12 PM

The nominal diameter for 00 buckshot is .33.

.45 COLT · March 30, 2009, 08:02 PM

Yes, but 00 Buck (.33") will not layer in 3s inside a shotcup. Some manufacturers have played loosely with their sizes when loading so-called "00 Buckshot". Federal and Winchester both do this. My question is whether Remington does the same.

DC

dalecooper51 · March 30, 2009, 08:24 PM

I have a couple cases of the Remington Express 9 pellet 00 Buck on hand and thought i would cut a shell open and do some measuring. They are layered 2 per layer with buffer material. Granted it's only one shell and doesnt make a test, but I'm not cutting any more open.

The pellets measure:

.332
.327
.330
.330
.329
.328
.334
.315
.327

**Mike Irwin** · March 30, 2009, 08:45 PM

Years ago I read somewhere, maybe American Rifleman, a statement that said that as shot sizes become larger, nominal diameter deviation tends to become greater.

True or not, I don't know.

Kendo · March 30, 2009, 09:11 PM

Not to be a know it all but dont shoot any slugs in a 3 1/2 inch gun. I dont know what it will do but I've got two of them and both say not to on the very front of the manual. You may already know this, but I saw the slug in the picture and saw that you mentioned the gun would shoot 3 1/2" shells.

hogdogs · March 30, 2009, 09:13 PM

Kendo, The NO SLUGS ALLOWED is for "overbored" barrels and not all are. If it is overbored it should have a no slug warning roll stamped on it.
Brent

Kendo · March 30, 2009, 09:25 PM

You are probably right cause I believe both of mine are overbored Mossberg 835 ulti and a singleshot H&R. I wonder what the overboring has to do with it.

hogdogs · March 30, 2009, 09:27 PM

Overbore reduces recoil for one thing but a rifled slug can wobble and jam up causing a very bad experience...
Picture elmer fudd's face when bugs bunny stuck his finger in the barrel....

Brent

March 28, 2009, 09:18 PM	#3
scorpion_tyr Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2008 Location: East Texas Posts: 1,326	Yes, I can. I bought a used 870 to make into a HD gun. A previous owner had cut the barrel down. I have a lot of different shells so next time I get a chance to go shoot I can see what kind of patterns I get from each. And I'm just now getting into shotguns so I bought a few boxes of everything to experiment around with. __________________ “Nature intended me for the tranquil pursuits of science, by rendering them my supreme delight.” - Thomas Jefferson Last edited by scorpion_tyr; March 29, 2009 at 12:05 AM. Reason: grammar

March 29, 2009, 12:19 AM	#11
OLNfan Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Location: British Columbia Canada Posts: 277	thank you very much! Iv always wanted to do this but never had the time. thanks again! (who am I kidding I didnt have the time, Im just a cheap skate and didnt want to end up losing 1 type of shell from the pack of slugs, buck, etc! hah) __________________ "Dear Governor Axtell. I've heard that you will give 200 dollars for my head. Perhaps we should meet and talk. I am at the Juarez village at the border. Send 3 men, and instruct them not to shoot, as I am unarmed. In short, Sir; I surrender. Your obedient servant William H. Bonney. PS: I changed my mind. Kiss my ass."

March 29, 2009, 11:28 PM	#15
scorpion_tyr Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2008 Location: East Texas Posts: 1,326	.45 COLT, I would love to measure it, but unfortunately I don't even have a ruler handy. I plan on getting a micormeter and some other little gadgets so I can make more precise comparisons. I'll remember the info you asked for and I plan on making a more "professional" looking display in which I'll post it. Thanks for the suggestions. __________________ “Nature intended me for the tranquil pursuits of science, by rendering them my supreme delight.” - Thomas Jefferson

March 30, 2009, 11:53 AM	#17
scorpion_tyr Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2008 Location: East Texas Posts: 1,326	Hmmm... well I can tell you that the 00 BK I opened up is indeed bigger than the 0 BK. Not by much, but all the shots I opened up got bigger as I expected. __________________ “Nature intended me for the tranquil pursuits of science, by rendering them my supreme delight.” - Thomas Jefferson

March 30, 2009, 12:12 PM	#18
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,381	The nominal diameter for 00 buckshot is .33. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 28, 2009, 09:07 PM	#2
Waterengineer Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2006 Location: Aurora, CO and Palm Beach, FL Posts: 863	I find it interesting that anyone would have that selection of shells laying around the house. Can you write about that?

March 28, 2009, 09:20 PM	#4
Waterengineer Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2006 Location: Aurora, CO and Palm Beach, FL Posts: 863	OK, that make sense. I was thinking hunting not HD. I couldn't figure out why someone would have all those buck shots and live in TX, which, obviously, is not one of the states where you have to hunt deet with a shotgun. Be good, be safe.

March 28, 2009, 09:40 PM	#5
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	When you say the previous owner cut it down.....do you mean to approx 18 inches, without a choke?

March 28, 2009, 09:52 PM	#6
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	GEEZ, You had to cut them apart to collect the shot? I just have my wife shoot at me and catch the pellets as they approach *DISCLAIMER* I was jist kiddin' and don't suggest that technique for collecting pellets... Brent

March 28, 2009, 11:17 PM	#8
colostomyclown Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2009 Posts: 613	Interesting thread. Good job.

March 28, 2009, 11:47 PM	#9
kno3mike Junior Member Join Date: January 14, 2009 Location: West Georgia Posts: 7	Thanks for the post...good info...I never see any 1bk for sale around here....now with the price of ammo you better put them back together....

March 28, 2009, 11:48 PM	#10
feralBoy Member Join Date: January 13, 2006 Posts: 17	That's a pretty cool pic. The first thing I thought about when I saw it, was which would I like to get hit with the least. I've heard 1bk is best for HD, but that 000bk looks NASTY.

March 29, 2009, 10:16 PM	#13
.45 COLT Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 308	Scorpion - would you measure the diameter of the 00? Remington is the only brand of 00 that I haven't been able to get hold of. Also, was the 00 in a cup or not, and how was it layered - 2s or 3s? Thanks. DC

March 29, 2009, 10:16 PM	#14
ibe4buckshot Member Join Date: March 29, 2009 Posts: 80	Nice!

March 30, 2009, 06:43 AM	#16
.45 COLT Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 308	The reason I ask is that most factory loads of 00 Buck aren't really 00 Buck. They measure .315" to .317", smaller than 0 Buck. I'm reasonably sure that Remington does the same thing, just want to know for sure. The reason they do that is 00 Buck (.330") can't be layered in 3s inside a shot cup (in a 12 Gauge), but who would buy a load sold as "Not Quite 0 Buck"? DC

March 30, 2009, 08:02 PM	#19
.45 COLT Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 308	Yes, but 00 Buck (.33") will not layer in 3s inside a shotcup. Some manufacturers have played loosely with their sizes when loading so-called "00 Buckshot". Federal and Winchester both do this. My question is whether Remington does the same. DC

March 30, 2009, 08:24 PM	#20
dalecooper51 Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2007 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 318	I have a couple cases of the Remington Express 9 pellet 00 Buck on hand and thought i would cut a shell open and do some measuring. They are layered 2 per layer with buffer material. Granted it's only one shell and doesnt make a test, but I'm not cutting any more open. The pellets measure: .332 .327 .330 .330 .329 .328 .334 .315 .327

March 30, 2009, 08:45 PM	#21
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,381	Years ago I read somewhere, maybe American Rifleman, a statement that said that as shot sizes become larger, nominal diameter deviation tends to become greater. True or not, I don't know. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 30, 2009, 09:11 PM	#22
Kendo Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 103	Not to be a know it all but dont shoot any slugs in a 3 1/2 inch gun. I dont know what it will do but I've got two of them and both say not to on the very front of the manual. You may already know this, but I saw the slug in the picture and saw that you mentioned the gun would shoot 3 1/2" shells.

March 30, 2009, 09:13 PM	#23
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	Kendo, The NO SLUGS ALLOWED is for "overbored" barrels and not all are. If it is overbored it should have a no slug warning roll stamped on it. Brent

March 30, 2009, 09:25 PM	#24
Kendo Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 103	You are probably right cause I believe both of mine are overbored Mossberg 835 ulti and a singleshot H&R. I wonder what the overboring has to do with it.

March 30, 2009, 09:27 PM	#25
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	Overbore reduces recoil for one thing but a rifled slug can wobble and jam up causing a very bad experience... Picture elmer fudd's face when bugs bunny stuck his finger in the barrel.... Brent