Shot Placements - Hunting

[Grumpy]

Um......Being pedantic again. it doesn`t you know. Only occasionally does this forum indicate when an edit has been made. I must have edited the long post above at least three times but not one is indicated.........Something that I`m quite happy about because I`m not too amused at seeing that `This post has been edited 15 times in total`!

[snIPer]

Thank you all for the good gyan session on this - was very useful.
Just one more question

Mixture of shots.

This is usually done by people who have a SBBL or a Single barrel muzzle loader - what they do is mix a variety of shots into one cartridge (or shot) for varied game.
For eg - they will mix No.6 and SSG / SG /LG into a single cartridge just because they cannot afford to switch cartridges at the nth hour for fear of disturbing the game- What kind of a grouping can one expect in this? is this a smart way when u just have one barrel to work with?
Thanks

[Vikram]

First I thought of replying via PM.But thought others too must be aware of why this practice is inadvisable.There is nothing personal and hence please do not be offended.

AFAIK, It's an utterly cruel and inhumane practice with reference to the quarry.For the sake of convenience or for the want of a more suitable gun,one loads with both buckshot and bird shot in a single shot charge and then what?Shoot a Nilgai or a Sambhar or a deer or a wild boar, wound it and allow it to run away or wait until it bleeds to death or worse die a lingering death from gangrene?I really do not care about the affordability issue here.If one wants to hunt,it is his/her duty and responsibility to be equipped suitably and extend the courtesy of taking a life with as little pain or suffering as possible.We owe it to them.

But, you see this is what happens with uncontrolled and under informed hunting.Impose strict conditions about calibres,competency levels etc and the number of wounded and lost animals would come down drastically.

Once again,the tirade is not directed against you, and I do not intend that you encourage such practice, but the idiots who practice this.

Best-
Vikram

[snIPer]

Vikram - Thanks for the insight - no offense taken whatsoever

This was just something that I heard of and wanted to have it clarified. I am glad to know that your views on this are just as mine.

[Grumpy]

SnIPer, the problem with mixing shot sizes in a cartridge is that the patterns are virtually non-existent with damn great holes appearing. There`s been quite a lot of research done on the matter over the years and the conclusion seems to be that every aspect of the mixed load needs to be considered including the relationship of the two sizes of shot used to each other, how the shot is packed into the case, etc, but even then the results are less than satisfactory. Until comparitively recently, Remington...... - I think - used to offer a mixed shot shell. I only ever saw one review which was not exactly flattering to the product. Fundamentally mixing shot sizes introduces too many variables and too many compromises - and performs too badly - to be worthwhile

[snIPer]

Interesting. Thanks Grumpy

[shahid]

A lot of cartridge makers still offer steel shot but soon this will be taken over by Bismuth alloy grades or tungsten matrix and various other alloys that closely resemble lead shot characterisitics.

Lead is illegal for ducks in the USA and a number of other countries now. There's also this issue of more pollution due to plastic wads which are not bio degradable. Felt wads are resurfacing more prominently once more.

[snIPer]

Am i right in assuming that bullets like .22 lr, .32, 7.62 etc etc etc have no wad in them and are just sealed tight and that shotguns are the only ones that use wads.

[shahid]

Yes of course. The construction of a shotgun cartridge is very different from a rifle cartridge.

Shotgun cartridge has wad, power piston, shot cup, overwad in it.

But mind you, new alloys, coatings in rifle bullet design are always on the market, jacketing of lead bullets with different alloys, use of plastic / kevlar / other synthetic materials and components on bullet tips are very much the new development emerging every month with an equal amount of developments in powder mixtures as well from all leading manufacturers.

The new .17 HMR and other .17 calibre cartridges emerging out are of a very high technology indeed.

[mundaire]

Moved to the Hunting etc. section....
Cheers!
Abhijeet

[snIPer]

Good reading on Dove hunting
http://www.nighthawkpublications.com/st ... ries25.htm

Choke and shot selection

http://www.kwacs.org.uk/barrels&choke.htm

[snIPer]

Remington's Hunting Suggestions -
http://www.remington.com/library/resour ... sp#rabbits

[lazybones]

Magnum in shotgun parlance does not refer to a more powerful charge (as it does in the rifle world). It refers to a heavier shot load.

Patterns are a factor of everything from choke, forcing cone, charge, hardness of shot (deformation on ignition produces flyers and strings and differential penetration at target), wind weather, temperature, ammo batch, manufacturer and what have you.
It's a tedious, though essential, process but every shooter has to pattern his guns. Crippling birds is a war crime in my book.

Ashok

[marksman]

Well Sniper, some rifle cartridges, especially handloads do have wads inserted to keep the powder from shifting. Mostly the ones that are used in a double rifles and are filled with faster burning powder that do not fill up the big case.
Marksman

[mundaire]

Marksman, your age is listed as 57 so I am assuming you may have had the pleasure of shooting in the "good old days". Would be nice if you and some of the other members from your generation shared some stories from those days...

Cheers!
Abhijeet