View Full Version : Buckshot size ... is what the manufacturer decides it will be.
Before some argue, yes the Sporting Arms and Manufacturers Institute has some base standards, however, even SAAMI members are not bound to follow. Also SAAMI voluntary buckshot "standards" are quite wide. For example SAAMI 00B can run from .315" to .345" and still meet the "standard." Under the same voluntary standard the number of 00 buckshot pellets loaded in each round can be short one pellet and still meet the "standard."
By the way the SAAMI top end of #1B is .315" and the lower end of 000B is .345"
So, using the SAAMI standard for 00 buckshot one could load different shells with pellets of .315", .320", .325", .330", .335", .340", and .345" diameter and call each 00B!
Don't forget, several of these could also be called #1B, 0B and 000B.
Today factory buckshot ammo is available in pellet diameters ranging from .18" to .60"
Recently the size of current Federal brand 00B and #1B were noted at .323"/50 grains and .286"/33grains, respectively. See:
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot56.htm
jmort
07-27-2013, 10:57 PM
I tend to go by mold maker dimensions which seem somewhat consistent. #1 = .300 and 0 = .320 and 00 = .330 and 000 = .360 and 0000 = .380. After that we get ball loads. I would like universal dimensions, even more so with shotgun bores.
OnHoPr
07-28-2013, 01:23 AM
Well I don't use that much buckshot, because I only hunt with it every once in awhile in certain circumstances. But I do try to load an effective load for that purpose IMO for the certain circumstances that I would use buckshot in. I use the Lee .311 with the Lee pot on 10 and water drop WW and get .314 balls (they fit nicely into shotcups). They also give no way to deformation on set back or hitting berm. I have been at a ponder as what to call them #1's or 0's to be more accurate in the defining of forum info chit chat for possible choices of other reloaders and/or their ideas of possibly how they could customize them for their own purposes. So what say you of the .314's, #1's or 0's.
You could call it #1 1/2 Buckshot:
http://www.ballisticproducts.com/Super-Buck-Lead-1-1_2-8-lb_jar-310/productinfo/SBK15/
Or you could call it #5 Western Buckshot:
http://www.weights-and-measures.com/xcombulletgage.html
On the other hand, the last buckshot round I fired through my Remington 870 was loaded with 22 gauge buckshot pellets!
Hogtamer
07-28-2013, 04:53 AM
Weigh and measure everything as I suggested in another thread. 7 - 8 grns difference per pellet from one manufacturer of 00 to another can effect your reloads significantly. Say 120 grns difference in weight of lead in 3" OO loads using hornady (55) vs BPI nickel plated (47). Ouch!
pipehand
07-28-2013, 07:30 AM
OnHoPr, I cast the same ones. The ballistic Products numbering system used in the link provided by RMc is a little goofy if buckshot gets smaller as the number gets bigger. If 2 buck is smaller than 1 buck, 1&1/2 buck would fall in between, not be bigger than 1 buck. What we have is .5 or "Half Buck" using standard parlance. Getting to the "O's", OO&1/2 would be bigger, falling between OO and OOO buck. Sorry, but stuff like that makes my CDO act up. For those who don't know, CDO is similar to OCD, except it's alphabetical, like its supposed to be:).
pipehand
07-28-2013, 07:31 AM
On the other hand, the last buckshot round I fired through my Remington 870 was loaded with 22 gauge buckshot pellets!
Tri-Ball?
OnHoPr, I cast the same ones. The ballistic Products numbering system used in the link provided by RMc is a little goofy if buckshot gets smaller as the number gets bigger. If 2 buck is smaller than 1 buck, 1&1/2 buck would fall in between, not be bigger than 1 buck. What we have is .5 or "Half Buck" using standard parlance. Getting to the "O's", OO&1/2 would be bigger, falling between OO and OOO buck. Sorry, but stuff like that makes my CDO act up. For those who don't know, CDO is similar to OCD, except it's alphabetical, like its supposed to be:).
I agree but that is how Ballistic Products does it.
Do Western Buckshot size designations have greater appeal?
Lawrence Buckshot was marketed in Western sizes at least until 1969.
However, they listed Western #3B as equal to Eastern 00B, a nominal .33"
You can see how confusing this was to mid 20th century shotgunners when they heard WWI veterans, (grandpa in those days), talking about how effective the old pump action trench guns were when loaded with all brass hulled Three Buck loads.
Tri-Ball?
We have a winner!
Let's see:
Gauge indicates how many lead balls of a particular size would equal one pound.
So, 7,000 grains to a pound.
7,000 divided by 22 equals: 318 grains for a 22 gauge lead ball.
Yep, that would be Tri-Ball.
(.596" was the closest to .600" on the circa. 1521 chart)
...you see back in the day the smallest hailshot, (similar to what you get in a hail storm), was size B or .17" So how were they going to number fowlshot - what we call birdshot?
Simple: Subtract the birdshot size from the smallest hailshot measurement and you have the size in inches for the size birdshot in question. Just keep the decimal point in the right place.
Hailshot B = .17"
Birdshot 1 = .16"
Birdshot 2 = .15"
And so on, you get the picture.
It is all so bloody reasonable. Wouldn't you agree?
pipehand
07-28-2013, 10:29 AM
RMc, I love Tri-Ball. Here's what I have left on hand that I've loaded:
77395
Heard anything from Mr. Gates lately?
Nothing better to brighten the day than buckets of BIG Buckshot!
... here is a recent definition of buckshot:
"Buckshot is simply lead shot formed to larger diameters. Sizes range in ascending order from size B to Tri-Ball."
That is according to Nuclead Co. Inc. and Sharp Manufacturing
http://www.nuclead.com/leadshotapps.html
jmort
07-28-2013, 11:23 AM
That is as good a definition as any I have seen.
Hogtamer
07-28-2013, 01:27 PM
Pipe, where in SC do you live? I hunt a bunch on SC side of Sav. River below US 301.
pipehand
07-28-2013, 01:57 PM
Pipe, where in SC do you live? I hunt a bunch on SC side of Sav. River below US 301.
Chesterfield County. 10 or so miles south of NC, in the middle of the state left & right. Near absolutely nothing, but you can get there from here.
Weigh and measure everything as I suggested in another thread. 7 - 8 grns difference per pellet from one manufacturer of 00 to another can effect your reloads significantly. Say 120 grns difference in weight of lead in 3" OO loads using hornady (55) vs BPI nickel plated (47). Ouch!
Right on point. Indeed, any published buckshot data should provide the actual payload weight.
RMc, I love Tri-Ball. Here's what I have left on hand that I've loaded:
77395
Yes, Tri-Ball Buckshot is a powerful. penetrating load that most buckshot users cannot fathom.
Key points about Tri-Ball loaded as specified by James Gates:
-Tri-ball centers its pattern to the same POI as heavy weight shot loads.
-Tri-Ball outpenetrates any choke friendly shotgun load - 29 inches of wetpack at Linebaugh Seminars.
- Gives shotgunners pursuing small game the option of a choke friendly load should they encounter large hogs.
- True big game capability from ordinary field guns at woodland ranges.
Frankly, I wish more Tri-Ball fans would post pictures of their patterns, penetration tests and successful hunts.
pipehand
07-30-2013, 08:55 PM
RMc, if you'll start with some pics in a new thread. I'd be glad to participate. I can start with patterns , but the successful hunt post is dependent on too many variables outside of my control.
The only 3" capable 12 gauge I have is a cylinder bore, so my patterns will probably not be to tightest.
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