16ga.com ~ View topic

Hello
Here is a nice posting

http://www.sidebysideshotgun.com/articles/balance_loads_article.html

Mike

Hello

I believe you are right on Tony

10 ga = 1.41 oz.
12 ga = 1.25 oz.
16 ga = 1.03 oz.
20 ga = 0.890 oz.
24 ga = 0.816 oz.
28 ga = 0.711 oz.
32 ga = 0.651 oz.
.410 = 0.395 oz.

But I use sub par rounds for the 12 ( 1 1/8 ) and 10 gauges (1 1/4) because I believe the theory is a bit of a parabola. A little skewed on each end. 410 = 1/2 Then the rest good Just my thoughts.

I think the English would agree in the smaller big bore shot loadings

Mike

Keep posting I am in violent agreement Very Happy

Mike

Probably at least four decades ago I read "square load" in print for the very first time....

The author, whom I can't remember, related his definition of "square load" to actual "ball size". How bore diameters were first sized for shotgun gauges in other words. We have all read a 12 gauge bore is sized to 12 pure lead balls that size which weigh exactly 1lb. avoirdupois.... Our beloved 16 requires 16 balls to the pound.....

"Square load" for this author was defined as a shot charge the same weight as one lead ball of bore size.... Hence a "square load" in our 16 bore was a 1oz load. The 20 comes in a little under 7/8oz and the 12 at 1 5/16oz...

I don't remember ever seeing this definition since! Thought I'd throw it out for fun though....

Slidehammer

Joined: 06 Aug 2009 Posts: 960

This square load stuff is pretty good.

But, I guess I miss the point of it all.

Ballistically these loads don't perform any better or worse than any other load.

What's the mystery??

Joined: 12 Oct 2008 Posts: 50 Location: New Jersey

Joined: 06 Aug 2009 Posts: 960

Hi Dan

A "squareload" doesn't automatically have a short shot string. Short shot strings are a product of aerodynamics and shot roundness. The length of the shot charge doesn't change the shot string. On top of that, shot string has no real effect on shooting until you have at least reached the 40 yard mark.

I really like 1 oz. loads in my 16 Gauge and probably shot more 1 oz. loads than any other, but I have shot equally effective 7/8, 1 1/8 and 1 1/4 oz. loads depending on pellet size and what I am trying to hunt or break.

I kinda think this is just an old shooters tale that got beat around at the local pub somewhere. No question there was alcohol involved with this one, not that alcohol is a bad thing, but it has a way of smoothing over common sense and basic math. Laughing

But I like the way Tony wrote it up, it is entertaining.

I like Slidehammers explanation of what constitutes a square load.

Joined: 06 Aug 2009 Posts: 960

That light load article only applies if you hunt in England. This Squareload stuff is typically an American load of horse manure, and we need to keep it that way.

Next thing you know we will be hunting in tweeds, knickers, those funny little caps and drinking tea. Then we will be talking about having to shoot SXS's(yuck) with straight grip stocks(that my fingers will wrap around at least twice) and splinter forends that make you burn your fingers on the barrel any time the shooting gets going good(double yuck). Laughing

I think that the Squareload Theory of Shotshell Ballistics should be kept completely American complete with only lies, half truths, and horse manure the way we do it, The Right Way!! Shocked

And I can poke fun at the Brits, heck my Mom's side of the family is English. Embarassed

Member Joined: 16 Nov 2006 Posts: 1338