Shotshell Questions

[skeet]

Skinny... I don't actually remember the exact figure but a 3 dram load of FFg Black weighs approx 76 grains. That is what I used to load in a few "wake up the dead shells" at the gun club. I actually shot them at skeet targets and they worked just fine. I do remember the load was in a Federal paper case with a SAC wad(Sullivan Arms Co...ergo SAC)which was a plastic overpowder wad with a card and filler wad then 1 1/8 oz of shot. When the shell says a 3 dram equivalent it means that the velocity is approx 1200 ft per second with 1 1/8 oz of shot. Pressures are not equivalent to black powder. Much higher. I even loaded some 20 ga with FFg in a 2 1/2 dr load and they worked just fine too. If you do want to load black in a newer type shell try to find one with a low basewad..preferably paper and straight sided case. You can (and I have) load pyrodex in 12 and even 20 ga shells. I even have a load for my 44 spec shells with pyrodex. Pyrodex is loaded on a volume to volume basis with Black Powder. It weighs approx 80% of what black powder weighs.. So use volume to load Pyrodex. BTW if they haven't changed 'em the green and black shells are the same basic case. They load better if they have 8 star crimps.. the hulls are skivved at the crimp end 6 stars suck.. and usually aren't skivved. Oh and the size of pyrodex to use is either RS or Ctg. FFg in Black powder. FFFg is useable but cut the load by a couple of grains..just for grins. And cold weather does affect pyrodex a bit..so..well you know.