UK Steel Shot Size/Diameter

[wymberley]

Guys,

 

Could someone kindly tell me where to source the Subject information in the event that the size number/diameter is not that of UK lead specification?

 

Cheers,

Phil

[chrispti]

UK

 

9 = 2.0mm

 

8 = 2.2mm

 

7.5 = 2.3mm

 

7 = 2.4mm

 

6.5 = 2.5mm

 

6 = 2.6mm

 

5 = 2.8mm

 

4 = 3.1mm

 

3 = 3.3mm

 

1 = 3.6mm

 

BB = 4.1mm

 

AAA = 5.2mm

 

Hope that is of some use...

Edited July 8, 2012 by chrispti

[HW682]

as above from eley diary

 

also

SSG=6.8

Special SG=7.6

SG=8.4

LG=9.1

 

Edit: these aren't specifically for steel.

Edited July 8, 2012 by HW682

[wymberley]

Oops, Digit problem - must have forgotten to hit, 'Add Reply'.

 

So, again, many thanks. It is the same as the UK lead specification. All I could find was four sizes detailed at Hull Cart's and there appears to be some discrepency.

 

Cheers

[HW682]

Apologies,I missed the "steel" in the title

 

In fact I completely misread the question. So best disregard my post.

[hanky]

Have a look at the " Pinned " section at the top of the page for this section , by Henry d - all of the lead and steel sizes are listed

[wymberley]

Have a look at the " Pinned " section at the top of the page for this section , by Henry d - all of the lead and steel sizes are listed

 

Indeed they are but the steel sizes listed are clearly stated as American which is fine if the English match it but sadly, I know not.

[Guest cookoff013]

most steel shotsizes should be U.S.A shotsizes. i have not seen a U.K shotsize chart.

 

however i feel your frustration.

i have cut open some shells and found that she shotsize in them to be different from whats written on the side. so we are getting screwed.

 

i bought what i thought were B but ended up as US#1 and some #4s that ended up as US#5. i have also bought some shells cut them open and been annoyed that the shells contain a smaller shotsize.

 

the manufacturers do this to get higher shotcount, and to avoid the "shotsize" limit to avoid the shells being labelled "HP"

 

also, try and go by the "count per oz" as it is very difficult to accurately size round shot.

 

if you are adament to use the best shells with the right shotcount..... homeload.

[wymberley]

most steel shotsizes should be U.S.A shotsizes. i have not seen a U.K shotsize chart.

 

however i feel your frustration.

i have cut open some shells and found that she shotsize in them to be different from whats written on the side. so we are getting screwed.

 

i bought what i thought were B but ended up as US#1 and some #4s that ended up as US#5. i have also bought some shells cut them open and been annoyed that the shells contain a smaller shotsize.

 

the manufacturers do this to get higher shotcount, and to avoid the "shotsize" limit to avoid the shells being labelled "HP"

 

also, try and go by the "count per oz" as it is very difficult to accurately size round shot.

 

if you are adament to use the best shells with the right shotcount..... homeload.

 

Thanks, mate - I was half hoping that you'd jump on board.

 

A friend has asked for some realistic effective ranges for steel as he's come to the only sensible conclusion that "going up 2 shot sizes" is a load of old squit. TBH, he's only tried it just in case it all hits the fan and is not best pleased but has recognised that this is not the fault of the shot itself but the flawed recommendation.

 

I'll do as you suggest.

 

Cheers

[Guest cookoff013]

Thanks, mate - I was half hoping that you'd jump on board.

 

A friend has asked for some realistic effective ranges for steel as he's come to the only sensible conclusion that "going up 2 shot sizes" is a load of old squit. TBH, he's only tried it just in case it all hits the fan and is not best pleased but has recognised that this is not the fault of the shot itself but the flawed recommendation.

 

I'll do as you suggest.

 

Cheers

 

yup.

well for the normal average steel cartridges that are 1400 or less, then there is a simple guide. use 32g steel #2s for duck. even at that speed the 2s are going to do the job. no worries about that. it sounds really "extreme" loads but in reality, they are not. just standard steel loads. dont worry about chokes much, just use cyl, SK, or 1/4. it`ll pattern tight anyway.

 

now for the extreme loads of 3"-3.5" using shotsizes BB+ then its a whole different ball game. for geese, 1,1/4oz of steel BB is the minimum i`d use and i`d like 1500fps. thats a standard HP load. it will be effective, as long as it patterns. use the usual choke candidates like cyl, skeet, and 1/4. but after that is more of an aftermarket jobbie on the end.

 

this is steel shot so any relationship to lead shotsizes and rubbish should be totally ignored. steel is steel, lead is lead.

 

use an effective cartridge, it will save you jumping around in panholes after clipped game, will save you a whole load of trouble. i cant stand running after clipped game. (game can still be clipped with these cartridges.)

 

i still get fed up with guys who use steel 6s for geese and say "aim for the head". i`d rather use 2s or bbs and go for the birds profile how it is presented.

i also resent the guys who shoot ducks with 24g 7.5steel, because they can go wildfowling 5 times for £3.50 !

 

the cartridge manufacturers refuse to make a 24g steel load of 5s because it directly competes with the higher profit margin pigeon loads. thats a fact.

[coyotemaster]

most steel shotsizes should be U.S.A shotsizes. i have not seen a U.K shotsize chart.

 

however i feel your frustration.

i have cut open some shells and found that she shotsize in them to be different from whats written on the side. so we are getting screwed.

 

i bought what i thought were B but ended up as US#1 and some #4s that ended up as US#5. i have also bought some shells cut them open and been annoyed that the shells contain a smaller shotsize.

 

the manufacturers do this to get higher shotcount, and to avoid the "shotsize" limit to avoid the shells being labelled "HP"

 

also, try and go by the "count per oz" as it is very difficult to accurately size round shot.

 

if you are adament to use the best shells with the right shotcount..... homeload.

 

That explains a lot to me as far as all the posts I read about steel not doing the job---if it is a size smaller than expected it would make a difference!

[kent]

yup.

well for the normal average steel cartridges that are 1400 or less, then there is a simple guide. use 32g steel #2s for duck. even at that speed the 2s are going to do the job. no worries about that. it sounds really "extreme" loads but in reality, they are not. just standard steel loads. dont worry about chokes much, just use cyl, SK, or 1/4. it`ll pattern tight anyway.

 

now for the extreme loads of 3"-3.5" using shotsizes BB+ then its a whole different ball game. for geese, 1,1/4oz of steel BB is the minimum i`d use and i`d like 1500fps. thats a standard HP load. it will be effective, as long as it patterns. use the usual choke candidates like cyl, skeet, and 1/4. but after that is more of an aftermarket jobbie on the end.

 

this is steel shot so any relationship to lead shotsizes and rubbish should be totally ignored. steel is steel, lead is lead.

 

use an effective cartridge, it will save you jumping around in panholes after clipped game, will save you a whole load of trouble. i cant stand running after clipped game. (game can still be clipped with these cartridges.)

 

i still get fed up with guys who use steel 6s for geese and say "aim for the head". i`d rather use 2s or bbs and go for the birds profile how it is presented.

i also resent the guys who shoot ducks with 24g 7.5steel, because they can go wildfowling 5 times for £3.50 !

 

the cartridge manufacturers refuse to make a 24g steel load of 5s because it directly competes with the higher profit margin pigeon loads. thats a fact.

 

What you say makes perfect logic, however one must balance to ones needs and individual gun. even on the same marsh people take different shots, thing is shooting within those personal limits and knowing them. I know someone who shoot 7,s very well at shoter ranges through open chokes, i shoot 3's through 1/2 choke and also get a few duck with no.1. Better marsh craft gets him closer to them to be fair

[wymberley]

yup.

well for the normal average steel cartridges that are 1400 or less, then there is a simple guide. use 32g steel #2s for duck. even at that speed the 2s are going to do the job. no worries about that. it sounds really "extreme" loads but in reality, they are not. just standard steel loads. dont worry about chokes much, just use cyl, SK, or 1/4. it`ll pattern tight anyway.

 

now for the extreme loads of 3"-3.5" using shotsizes BB+ then its a whole different ball game. for geese, 1,1/4oz of steel BB is the minimum i`d use and i`d like 1500fps. thats a standard HP load. it will be effective, as long as it patterns. use the usual choke candidates like cyl, skeet, and 1/4. but after that is more of an aftermarket jobbie on the end.

 

this is steel shot so any relationship to lead shotsizes and rubbish should be totally ignored. steel is steel, lead is lead.

 

use an effective cartridge, it will save you jumping around in panholes after clipped game, will save you a whole load of trouble. i cant stand running after clipped game. (game can still be clipped with these cartridges.)

 

i still get fed up with guys who use steel 6s for geese and say "aim for the head". i`d rather use 2s or bbs and go for the birds profile how it is presented.

i also resent the guys who shoot ducks with 24g 7.5steel, because they can go wildfowling 5 times for £3.50 !

 

the cartridge manufacturers refuse to make a 24g steel load of 5s because it directly competes with the higher profit margin pigeon loads. thats a fact.

 

The references that I have reflect that what you say about wildfowl makes good sense. However, it's already hit the fan there and my little friend - I'm an old mate of his dad who doesn't shoot - who has shot clays for a while but has been given a small slice of heaven to play in and wanted to see what the fuss was all about with regard to pigeon. He's a pretty fair shot until it comes to trap, then he's good, very good. Consequently, he'll shoot pigeon that are legging it out to 45 metres all day long.

 

He did what he thought he had to and got some 3mm steel which he figured was going up 2 shot sizes from UK #6 lead (we'll ignore the 0.1mm) and started wounding the 'legging it' birds - too often. He remained quite happy out to about 35 metres though. However, he wanted to see if he could stick to his full range using his bog standard 2 3/4" standard proof o/u.

 

Yep, lead is lead and steel is steel and you can't compare them - as such. In order to get a sound basis to evaluate NTX shot, Nilo and Patuxent happened. This threw up a better way to judge the lethal property of pellets than energy alone and is known as energy density. Assuming a satisfactory terminal ballistic effect, this is independent of material type. With a MV of 400m/s, a UK #6 lead pellet will have an energy density figure of 0.27 at the 45 metres. To match that with steel having the same MV, a USA #3 (UK #1) is required but this is a no no in a standard proof gun. So much for 2 shot sizes. Whether he'll settle for USA #4 (UK #3) steel and 40 metres remains to be seen. I appreciate that a 1400 ft/sec (425 m/s) MV is now nearer the mark but there won't be a great deal of difference down range and the only figure I have for both materials is the 1300. However this does give a margin of error for a shot where the quarry is not struck by the leading edge of the load.

Edited July 9, 2012 by wymberley