Why do shot shells come in whole sizes 4,5,6,7,8,9 Plus 7-1/2 ? What is so special about 7-1/2? that it is needed in addition to 7 and 8? Why not 6-1/2 and 8-1/2? 7-1/2 predates steel shot by several generations, so not that.
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Why do shot shells come in whole sizes 4,5,6,7,8,9 Plus 7-1/2 ? What is so special about 7-1/2? that it is needed in addition to 7 and 8? Why not 6-1/2 and 8-1/2?7-1/2 predates steel shot by several generations, so not that.
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The 1/2 is just an extra measurement(extra decimal) of the shot size. 7 1/2 shot has a 0.095 inch diameter. 8 shot has a diameter of 0.09 inches. 8 1/2 shot has a measurement of 0.085 inches.
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Edit: Not sure the top of my answer is what you were asking, so he's another answer. Take the shot out of a 7, a 7 1/2 , and an 8. Small difference, but you can tell which is which. Simple math is that the smaller the diameter of the shot the more that will fit into one shell. People felt like there was enough of a difference between a 7 and an 8 that something in-between was useful. Once you start getting smaller than an 8 1/2 the shot is so small that the extra 0.005" wouldn't really change anything. Once you start using bigger than 7 shot the 0.005" isn't really necessary because shot pattern etc. becomes less of an issue.
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Originally posted by JM View PostThe 1/2 is just an extra measurement(extra decimal) of the shot size. 7 1/2 shot has a 0.095 inch diameter. 8 shot has a diameter of 0.09 inches. 8 1/2 shot has a measurement of 0.085 inches.
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Edit: Not sure the top of my answer is what you were asking, so he's another answer. Take the shot out of a 7, a 7 1/2 , and an 8. Small difference, but you can tell which is which. Simple math is that the smaller the diameter of the shot the more that will fit into one shell. People felt like there was enough of a difference between a 7 and an 8 that something in-between was useful. Once you start getting smaller than an 8 1/2 the shot is so small that the extra 0.005" wouldn't really change anything. Once you start using bigger than 7 shot the 0.005" isn't really necessary because shot pattern etc. becomes less of an issue.
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I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if it originally had something to do with competitive trap and skeet shooting. As with any sports, those who are really into it will get right down to the nitty-gritty (hand a billiards player a cue-stick one ounce too big or small and he'll hand it right back). As for a bird-hunter's point of view: I use 7.5s myself for ruffed grouse because I just feel like 8s are a bit too small. I'd use 7s, no problem, but I've never seen them in a store.
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Originally posted by JM View PostThe 1/2 is just an extra measurement(extra decimal) of the shot size. 7 1/2 shot has a 0.095 inch diameter. 8 shot has a diameter of 0.09 inches. 8 1/2 shot has a measurement of 0.085 inches.
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Edit: Not sure the top of my answer is what you were asking, so he's another answer. Take the shot out of a 7, a 7 1/2 , and an 8. Small difference, but you can tell which is which. Simple math is that the smaller the diameter of the shot the more that will fit into one shell. People felt like there was enough of a difference between a 7 and an 8 that something in-between was useful. Once you start getting smaller than an 8 1/2 the shot is so small that the extra 0.005" wouldn't really change anything. Once you start using bigger than 7 shot the 0.005" isn't really necessary because shot pattern etc. becomes less of an issue.
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7.5 are high brass, this is an old term meaning they have more gun powder. They were developed for early season close flushing pheasants. 7.5 are commonly used in areas where grouse, partridge and quail may present an opportunity.
#8 and up are low brass so they have less terminal power by design. I do not use these for hunting. So I suppose you could say 7.5 is the dividing line between hunting and target loads.
7's are a more recent development to accommodate nontoxic shot.
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Originally posted by charlie elk View Post7.5 are high brass, this is an old term meaning they have more gun powder. They were developed for early season close flushing pheasants. 7.5 are commonly used in areas where grouse, partridge and quail may present an opportunity.
#8 and up are low brass so they have less terminal power by design. I do not use these for hunting. So I suppose you could say 7.5 is the dividing line between hunting and target loads.
7's are a more recent development to accommodate nontoxic shot.
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Originally posted by charlie elk View Post7.5 are high brass, this is an old term meaning they have more gun powder. They were developed for early season close flushing pheasants. 7.5 are commonly used in areas where grouse, partridge and quail may present an opportunity.
#8 and up are low brass so they have less terminal power by design. I do not use these for hunting. So I suppose you could say 7.5 is the dividing line between hunting and target loads.
7's are a more recent development to accommodate nontoxic shot.
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Originally posted by JM View PostThe 1/2 is just an extra measurement(extra decimal) of the shot size. 7 1/2 shot has a 0.095 inch diameter. 8 shot has a diameter of 0.09 inches. 8 1/2 shot has a measurement of 0.085 inches.
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Edit: Not sure the top of my answer is what you were asking, so he's another answer. Take the shot out of a 7, a 7 1/2 , and an 8. Small difference, but you can tell which is which. Simple math is that the smaller the diameter of the shot the more that will fit into one shell. People felt like there was enough of a difference between a 7 and an 8 that something in-between was useful. Once you start getting smaller than an 8 1/2 the shot is so small that the extra 0.005" wouldn't really change anything. Once you start using bigger than 7 shot the 0.005" isn't really necessary because shot pattern etc. becomes less of an issue.
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Originally posted by charlie elk View Post7.5 are high brass, this is an old term meaning they have more gun powder. They were developed for early season close flushing pheasants. 7.5 are commonly used in areas where grouse, partridge and quail may present an opportunity.
#8 and up are low brass so they have less terminal power by design. I do not use these for hunting. So I suppose you could say 7.5 is the dividing line between hunting and target loads.
7's are a more recent development to accommodate nontoxic shot.
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Originally posted by charlie elk View Post7.5 are high brass, this is an old term meaning they have more gun powder. They were developed for early season close flushing pheasants. 7.5 are commonly used in areas where grouse, partridge and quail may present an opportunity.
#8 and up are low brass so they have less terminal power by design. I do not use these for hunting. So I suppose you could say 7.5 is the dividing line between hunting and target loads.
7's are a more recent development to accommodate nontoxic shot.
Comment
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Originally posted by charlie elk View Post7.5 are high brass, this is an old term meaning they have more gun powder. They were developed for early season close flushing pheasants. 7.5 are commonly used in areas where grouse, partridge and quail may present an opportunity.
#8 and up are low brass so they have less terminal power by design. I do not use these for hunting. So I suppose you could say 7.5 is the dividing line between hunting and target loads.
7's are a more recent development to accommodate nontoxic shot.
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The answer is pretty simple. It's just another option hunting and/or target use. There's nothing special or magical about 7-1/2s, but, to Charlie Elk's point, it sort of allows a person to split the difference between traditional target and hunting loads.
I guess if I were forced to make the case for 7-1/2s, it is a bit of a "do-it-all" shot size. You can use them on the really light birds (or clays) and they have enough ummph to take down pheasant and grouse--though I'll be honest, it wouldn't be my first choice for either of those birds.
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