Why can't they shrink a wad?

wacki · June 28, 2006, 10:36 AM

I'm looking at my target loads and it seems like most of the shotshell is air from the wad.

Seems like most of that space could be used for extra gunpowder/shot.

hawken50 · June 28, 2006, 10:52 AM

Quote:

target loads

yeah they could, but then they wouldn't be "target" loads anymore. they'd be "turkey", or "field" or "magnum" loads.

Dave McC · June 28, 2006, 07:47 PM

Look at some fired wads. They compress, and this is deliberate. It cushions the shot and helps keep it round. The center section is made to fill up the needed length inside the hull when made, and then compress at launch. Rounder pellets stay in the pattern and keep the density up where it belongs.

FYI, forces at launch are on the order of 60 G.

This is one of the reasons that modern ammo is so much better than the old stuff. A modern 1 oz load will put more pellets of any given size in the center of the pattern than an old fashioned 1 1/8 oz load.

HTH.....

BUCKMARK · June 28, 2006, 08:11 PM

Good comments above.

Remember that every type of wad has been designed for maximum performance with the hull type, powder, and shot charge.

The wad is a shot cup, shot buffer, gas seal between the powder and shot, and a gas seal for the shot as it leaves the barrel. It was the plastic wad that made the "forcing cone" less of a necessity.

Once the wad leaves the barrel, the open end slows the wad so it doesn't "push" the shot and deform the pattern. A good wad for clay shooting will only fly about 20 yards before it slows and falls to the ground. Hastings Barrels went as far as straight rifling or grooving their barrels to further slow the wad.

Regards,
Buckmark

June 28, 2006, 10:36 AM	#1
wacki Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2004 Location: Moving out of Indiana Posts: 426	Why can't they shrink a wad? I'm looking at my target loads and it seems like most of the shotshell is air from the wad. Seems like most of that space could be used for extra gunpowder/shot.

June 28, 2006, 08:11 PM	#4
BUCKMARK Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 2004 Location: south central Pa. Posts: 299	Good comments above. Remember that every type of wad has been designed for maximum performance with the hull type, powder, and shot charge. The wad is a shot cup, shot buffer, gas seal between the powder and shot, and a gas seal for the shot as it leaves the barrel. It was the plastic wad that made the "forcing cone" less of a necessity. Once the wad leaves the barrel, the open end slows the wad so it doesn't "push" the shot and deform the pattern. A good wad for clay shooting will only fly about 20 yards before it slows and falls to the ground. Hastings Barrels went as far as straight rifling or grooving their barrels to further slow the wad. Regards, Buckmark __________________ NRA-GOA Let's Roll!

June 28, 2006, 07:47 PM	#3
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Look at some fired wads. They compress, and this is deliberate. It cushions the shot and helps keep it round. The center section is made to fill up the needed length inside the hull when made, and then compress at launch. Rounder pellets stay in the pattern and keep the density up where it belongs. FYI, forces at launch are on the order of 60 G. This is one of the reasons that modern ammo is so much better than the old stuff. A modern 1 oz load will put more pellets of any given size in the center of the pattern than an old fashioned 1 1/8 oz load. HTH.....