Nightcrawler
New member
I heard someone mention this? Are shotshells color coded? If so, what's the code?
Shotshells color coded?
- Thread starter Nightcrawler
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PreserveFreedom
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Although most 20 ga shells are yellow, it isn't a rule/law that they are. I can't think of the name of the company, but someone out there was making red 20 ga shells. If you accidentally dropped one in a 12 ga gun, then dropped a real 12 ga shell on top of it, you were in a heap of doo doo.
No code however
Most North American manufacturers make their 20 gauge with yellow hulls to distinguish them from 12 gauge to help prevent a 12/20 burst. This is when a 20 is put into a 12 gauge and slips into the forcing cone. When the gun doesn't fire, the shooter puts in a 12 and then kaboom. I came very, very close to one of these once and the thought still gives me the shivers.
Currently in my assortment of 12 gauge ammo, I have shells that are light gray, orange, dark gray, bright red, dark red, dark blue, light blue, green, gold, off white, transparent and black. All the 20 however is bright yellow and is kept well away from the 12 gauge. The only 20 I've seen that is not yellow was made in Europe.
Most North American manufacturers make their 20 gauge with yellow hulls to distinguish them from 12 gauge to help prevent a 12/20 burst. This is when a 20 is put into a 12 gauge and slips into the forcing cone. When the gun doesn't fire, the shooter puts in a 12 and then kaboom. I came very, very close to one of these once and the thought still gives me the shivers.
Currently in my assortment of 12 gauge ammo, I have shells that are light gray, orange, dark gray, bright red, dark red, dark blue, light blue, green, gold, off white, transparent and black. All the 20 however is bright yellow and is kept well away from the 12 gauge. The only 20 I've seen that is not yellow was made in Europe.
Most all shotgun shells are in fact color coded!
The brass end goes towards the back of the gun and the colored end (various colors) goes towards the front.
Following this simple color code will vastly improve shooting performance.
. . . sorry, I couldn't resist!
The brass end goes towards the back of the gun and the colored end (various colors) goes towards the front.
Following this simple color code will vastly improve shooting performance.
. . . sorry, I couldn't resist!
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American shotshell manufacturers color their 20 GA shells yellow for safety reasons.European manufacturers do not.
It can be easy to confuse 12, 16 and 20 ga shells. And 28 ga shells can be confused for 20 ga.
I color code my reloads using different hulls for different sizes of shot. Gold for 7.5, green for 8 and red for 9. Have a real problem with 20 ga though, they are all yellow (OK who cares!)
Geoff Ross
It can be easy to confuse 12, 16 and 20 ga shells. And 28 ga shells can be confused for 20 ga.
I color code my reloads using different hulls for different sizes of shot. Gold for 7.5, green for 8 and red for 9. Have a real problem with 20 ga though, they are all yellow
(OK who cares!)Geoff Ross
