SHOT (pellet) SIZES

[Zonie]

By popular demand I borrowed Roundballs table and modified it slightly.
I hope its useful.

Common Lead Shot Sizes
Shot Size - Diameter (in.)-Diameter(mm) ~ # Pellets per ounce

#10 1/2: .065 (1.65mm) 1056
#10: 0.070 (1.78mm) 848
#9: 0.080 (2.032mm) 585
#8: 0.090 (2.286mm) 410
#7 1/2: 0.095 (2.413mm) 350
#7: .100 (2.54mm) 291
#6: 0.110 (2.794mm) 225
#5: 0.120 (3.048mm) 170
#4: 0.130 (3.302mm) 135
#2: 0.150 (3.81mm) 90
BB: 0.180- (4.572mm) - 50
#4 buck: 0.240 (6.096mm) 21
#3 buck: 0.250 (6.35mm) 19
#2 buck: 0.270 (6.86mm) 15
#1 buck: 0.300 (7.62mm) 11
#0 buck: 0.320 (8.13mm) 9
#00 buck: 0.330 (8.38mm) 8
#000 buck: 0.360 (9.14mm) 6.2

Common Steel Shot Sizes
Shot Size Diameter (in.) Diameter (mm) ~ # Pellets per ounce
#7: 0.100 (2.54mm) 422
#6: 0.110 (2.79mm) 317
#5: 0.120 (3.05mm) 244
#4: 0.130 (3.30mm) 191
#3: 0.140 (3.56mm) 154
#2: 0.150 (3.81mm) 125
#1: 0.160 (4.06mm) 103
BB: 0.180 (4.57mm) 72
BBB: 0.190 (4.83mm) 61
T: 0.200 (5.08mm) 53
F: 0.220 (5.59mm) 40

 

[paulvallandigham]

Jim: You can also use the " Rule of 17"- that is, subtract the # of the shot from the number 17, and you will get its diameter in hundredths of an inch. This is for birdshot, the most commonly used shot.

Steel shot sizing follows the same rule, but adds shot that is larger than .17", namely BB, BBB, T, and F. However each of these, in the order states, is an additional .01" Wider in diameter.

Buckshot is determined on a totally different system, and because there are so few sizes( and you rarely ever see #2 or #3 buck for sale), its simply easier to have a short chart showing the diameters of the 6 ones named here.

A chart like the one you have produced( without the metric conversions) is available in the Hunter Safety Course Manual in all 50 states and Canadian Provinces. However, the chart in my copy does not include the pellet count per Ounce for Buckshot??? that you have provided here, so thank you very much! And, thanks to Roundball, too. :hatsoff: :hatsoff: :hatsoff:

 

[luieb45]

Thank-you for making this chart more handy. It's been hard for me to find when I've used it some other times :thumbsup:.