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Member Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Posts: 665 Location: Louisiana

Periodically I see references to the old 'Dram Equivalent' designation and the usual comments are generally not very supportive. The term is anachronistic to be sure but deserves some explanation since, despite the wishes of many, it doesn't seem to be going away.
Bear with me-----------
The term 'Dram Equivqlent' of course refers to a weight of black powder that produces performance similar to the smokeless load of the shells so marked. Interestingly the term/designation was developed long after the use of black powder had been discontinued and was based on an arbitrary load. The reference was for 12gauge and was 3 drams under 1 1/8n ounces of shot at 1200 fps.
Dram equivalent is an indicator of velocity

Here is a chart that may be of some use to the membership---

16 gauge dram equivalents
( I will eliminate the 7/8 ounce loads and the 1 3/8 ounce loads as they are unlikely to be available)

16 gauge 2 1/2 Dr.Eq. 2 3/4 3 3 1/4 3 1/2

1 ounce 1165fps 1220 1275 1330 1385

1 1/8oz. 1130 1185 1240 1295 1350

1 1/4oz. 1150 1205 1260 1315

There were (once upon a time) 7/8 oz. loads @2 1/4 dr.eq. @1145fps
1oz. loads @ 2 1/4 dr.eq.@ 1110fps

Of course there are variances in velocity between most shells from the same box/lot but the above table may be of some utility in understanding just what that ole dr.eq. means the next time you pick up a box with such designation on it.

Very interesting post. Thank you very much for the information. Very Happy

And all this time, I thought it was just designed to confuse me.

Member Joined: 27 Nov 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Nordern MN

That is very interesting indeed! Thanks for sharing.

Is it safe to assume that the gauge is more or less irrelavent? ie - a 1oz 3 dram load will go 1275fps regardless of what size bore? And would this apply to all kinds of shot, or just lead?

Thanks!!

NR

Member Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Posts: 665 Location: Louisiana

Different gauges--different velocities for the same dr.eq. Think about it; the equivalent ammount of propellant burning in a more (or less) restricted space results in widely differing pressures/velocities.
Never seen dr. eq. when purchasing other varieties of shot BUT an ounce of lead weighs as much as an ounce of steel, soooooooooooo.

Sorry about the chart--this site regularly changes the spacing I use for charts---probably something I don't know abut using the site. Confused