Dram wts.
- Thread starter Blast
- Start date
The dram equivalent system is a dinosaur that's far outlived its use. Much better would be a FPS marking.
"Max" is the maker's way of saying something like, "We've crammed as much powder in these we can, they will kick like Bruce Lee.We're not telling you how much because some idiot will try to copy us and hurt somebody, and we don't like being sued"....
"Max" is the maker's way of saying something like, "We've crammed as much powder in these we can, they will kick like Bruce Lee.We're not telling you how much because some idiot will try to copy us and hurt somebody, and we don't like being sued"....
The dram system was based on the number of drams (apothecary scale) of black powder used to propel a given shot charge to a given velocity.
When smokeless came out, the early type was bulk which was substituted one-for-one volume with the BP, no problemo. when they got a little more sophisticated and came out with double base (I think) powder, much less was needed to get the required velocity. That's where they had to come up with the dram equiv rating as everybody in those days was familiar with the dram scale.
Today, that is so far in the past that MAX is as good as any way to describe a load. I've also seen shotshells marked with velocity ratings rather than dram equivalents, IIRC.
When smokeless came out, the early type was bulk which was substituted one-for-one volume with the BP, no problemo. when they got a little more sophisticated and came out with double base (I think) powder, much less was needed to get the required velocity. That's where they had to come up with the dram equiv rating as everybody in those days was familiar with the dram scale.
Today, that is so far in the past that MAX is as good as any way to describe a load. I've also seen shotshells marked with velocity ratings rather than dram equivalents, IIRC.
Jim Watson
New member
I think "Max" on a shotshell label means "You could not get this high velocity with this much shot with any amount of black powder." So there is no Dram Equivalent for those heavy loads.
i've shot all kinds of 00 buck that say max dram equiv, and none of it really kicks at all. i'm going to have to try some 3" turkey loads to see what everyone's talking about...
is there some way to measure "kick" or recoil of shotgun ammo? it would be interesting to see the numbers.
is there some way to measure "kick" or recoil of shotgun ammo? it would be interesting to see the numbers.
Big G pretty much nailed it as far as the relationship of "Drams Equivalent" to Smokeless powders...the "Mostest" D/E I've ever seen stated was on a 2&3/4 in. short-Magnum 12 Ga.--4 Drams equiv.!!! With 1 & 1/2 oz. of shot, THOSE were KICKERS in the ol' 870 for SURE, good buddy!!!....mikey357
