BigDave15 Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 Hi Iv been wondering for a while now, what is the difference between different cartridge lengths? I know some cartridges are chambered for different guns like 3"Magnum and some old guns can't take modern cartridges due to length ect. But what are the advantages/Disadvantages of using longer or shorter cartridges when the same amount of shot and powder are used in both long and short types. I have noticed this with some express cartridges I was given at Christmas they are the same as some cartridges I had left over from the last time I shot, they are the same shot size and both are 28 grams but one cartridge is longer than the other.Both are plastic wad so why long or short cartridges? Sorry if this is a bit of a silly question but im a little simple you see! :*) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooke103 Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 i dont konw properly, im no expert but i think it has something to do with the ammount of gun powder (or what ever they have in them which makes it go bang) if there is more it will be longer. are they both the same number, 6 or 7 jake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDave15 Posted December 27, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 Yes the shot size is the same, you could be rite but they are both 28Grams maybe they are loaded with a different type of powder? I can't think of any other reason why they would want to make them different sizes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammergun Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 Standard game cartridges are 2 1/2" (65mm). Longer cartridges such as 2 3/4" (70mm) allow more propellant to be used, heavier loads, or bigger wads. 3" cartridges are used for magnum loads. Some old, lightweight guns used 2" (50mm) cartridges. These are quite expensive to buy nowadays, and many guns originally chambered for 2" cartridges have had their chambers enlarged and re-proofed where possible. Because of the higher pressures generated, and because of the size of the chambers, it is unsafe to use longer cartridges than your gun is chambered for. Jake - putting more gun powder in cartridges did not always increase the energy the shot was ejected at because gun powder is slow burning, and once the shot has left the gun, any remaining unburnt powder will have no effect. That is why before modern smokeless nitro powders, there was a trend to make the gun barrels as long as possible to give the longest burning time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 And then there are the ones that are 67mm G.M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pointer Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 The propellant used in modern shotgun carts is NITROCELLULOSE, different manufacturers of this powder produce variable burn rates. Some manufacturers will increase the amount of nitro used to increase muzzle velocities (pressure), hence a longer case length. Always make sure that the case length does not exceed the cone (chamber) length of your gun. Pointer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernyha Posted December 28, 2004 Report Share Posted December 28, 2004 I thought I would do a check as at the moment I have two different length cartridges in my bag. They are Express 30 gram No 6,s at 65mm and Express 32 gram No 6,s at 70 mm. Both have pretty clear cases so I put them side by side to see how they compared. The first thing I noticed was that the amount of powder was almost identical to the eye and the most noticeable difference was a much longer plastic wad in the 70 mm shell. The only other slight difference in length was taken up with the extra shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDave15 Posted December 28, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2004 Thanks Guys. It really had me confused I only really noticed it a few days ago but I couldn't find any information on the manufactures web site. I knew that rifle cartridges were loaded with powder of different burn rates as I did some realoading with my uncle a few years back. But I didn't know this was the same in shotgun cartridges I suppose different manufactures have different preferences when it comes to this sort of thing. I think express are loaded with vectan propellant from France I rember seeing this on a box of their cartridges once. Do Shotgun cartridges have different types of primers, flash hole designs ect? Sorry for all the questions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted December 28, 2004 Report Share Posted December 28, 2004 I do a bit of reloading and whenever there is a change in weight of shot you usually find a change in powder ie.up to 28gm you may be using AS powder(fast burning) around32gm and you`d use A1(medium burn rate) and anything above A0(slow burn rate).However things get a bit iffy when you start using large shot(BB`s+)in 28-30gm loads,you then have to start using slower powders.Type of wad also comes into the equation,fibre wads need less powder but take up more room,however you can get plas wads that are v.long(usually clay carts)as they are used to soften the kick of a fast cart,and 3" plas wads usually have no "shock absorber"but tend to be long in the tube.Just to complicate matters there is a train of thought that says longer cones(just in front of the chamber)or even over bored barrels help withn patterning especially when combined with long chokes!the only thing to remember is don`t use a cartridge that is not suitable for you`re gun or you may get your gun unravell in front of your face Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilishdave Posted December 28, 2004 Report Share Posted December 28, 2004 Game Bore clear pigeon 30g No6s come in two sizes 65mm and 70mm dependant on wheather they are plastic or fiber wad Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the last engineer Posted December 29, 2004 Report Share Posted December 29, 2004 Do Shotgun cartridges have different types of primers, flash hole designs ect? Sorry for all the questions! again there are a number of differing primers for shotguns ,burnrate and tempretures varying for the powder used , im not too familiar with the powders used in the UK ,here i use REDDOT for my shotgun shells and hodgdon for my handguns http://www.hodgdon.com/data/shotshel/index.php the site here is a very good data reloading site you may wish to browse hodgdon seem to be the forerunners here for powder and data concerning reloading . hope it helps you . Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDave15 Posted December 30, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2004 Thanks Mate Very good information, I never thought shotgun ammunition was very technical but thinking about it its quite an interesting topic, Iv always overlooked the cartridges I put in the gun but you always put the trust in them to work properly and safely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the last engineer Posted December 30, 2004 Report Share Posted December 30, 2004 seen a lot of guys who reload here ,some scare the Bjesus out of me ,flops and squaks from the gun jammed wads and no powder ,shoving sticks down the barrel or any long item at hand ,scary stuff, you end up knowing in a hurry who you want to shoot with trust me , i run a ponsness 800b and old m/c but a worker i load a 1oz #8 for most of the birds at the range around 1250 fps pending tempreture .suits me for practice and i stick with the one load on it. Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
napier Posted January 6, 2005 Report Share Posted January 6, 2005 i dont think it makes a diffrence realy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the last engineer Posted January 6, 2005 Report Share Posted January 6, 2005 i dont think it makes a diffrence realy Very well thought out responce , how do you think your shooting partner (if any) will react to you shoving a 3" mag shell into a 2-3/4" chambered gun . maybe you should endeavor to broaden your knowledge base on the shells you use, giving you a better understanding of the dangers of misuse. im not being a snot, before you fly back at me,just trying to help and make a point. Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted January 6, 2005 Report Share Posted January 6, 2005 WELL SAID TLE !!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tam Posted January 6, 2005 Report Share Posted January 6, 2005 Last Engineer, look at his d.o.b. = 14 years Tam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the last engineer Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 Last Engineer, look at his d.o.b. = 14 years Tam. Thanks Tam ,now i feel like a right old guy , i didnt look ,now regardless of your age, i hope you understand my posting napier, its at this stage of your shooting life that lessons learned become a book of knowledge for you to use and pass on,i did notice a lot of postings on pretty much every subject on site ,one hopes you pick up a tip or two . Martin (the old guy) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.