Shaktiman cartridges - No. 4.8

[snIPer]

Hi,
Ive seen some Shaktiman cartridges - No. 4.8 and was told they are similar to BB.
Any idea if this is true?

Also it seems that Shaktimancartridges are using imported primers and seems to have improved in quality.

P.S. Title changed to Shaktiman from Asthram.

/S/

[art_collector]

Sniper,

U must have seen Shaktiman cartridges. Astram cartridges are made in shot sizes 1-9 & BB. Though its mentioned as 1-9 the only shot sizes available are 1, 2,4 , 6 & BB.

Shot size 4.8 is in a way invention of shaktiman since its less than 5 mm which is prohibited under law.Similarlyt he ammunition factory does not make any Ball ammunition

AC

[snIPer]

Hi AC,
I guess you are right maybe they were Shaktiman. let me double check on that.

So is this something like SSG, SG or BB.
Thanks
/S/

[ebenezer]

I have two pieces of the Shaktiman's 4.8. The 4.8 shot is bigger than the BB. Shaktiman cartridges have improved in terms of velocity, but they leave the barrel black. The residues are very hard to clean and certainly require a metal brush. They give out a loud report which is similar to that of a country powder-loaded muzzle loader. Also, since the cartridges are 70 mm, it is advised that they be used in guns with chambers of 2 3/4 size.
Regards,
Ebenezer

[mundaire]

There is no such thing as a "No. 4.8"! The size BBB has a nominal diameter of 4.83 mm (0.19"), there are actually larger dia birdshot as well - all the way up to 5.84 mm (0.23")... the buckshot numbers start at a pellet dia of 6 mm (0.24") and go up to 9.1 mm (0.36").

And NO you simply CANNOT safely use 70 mm (2 3/4") shells in a shotgun chambered for the shorter 65 mm (2 1/2") shells.

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[msandhu]

here is a nice chart showing various sizes of shot shells and their comparisons

http://www.suburbanguns.co.za/shooters_information.htm

Cheers
Mandeep

[shahid]

Usually Shaktiman 4.2 mm or BB is seen here. A bigger shot like 4.83 would be BBB, as Abhijeet mentioned above.

As for quality - Shaktiman powder is not good. Perhaps a derivative of black powder and Nitro Celloluse or maybe black powder itself with minor mods.

Primers are suspect. High instances of Misfire.

Art Collector - I am most interested in Astram no. 4 if available. If 3 even better but 4 will do. I want about 8 to 10 boxes ( 200 to 250 cartridges )

Where and whats the price ?

We have only no. 1 shot is Astram here and No. 4 in Special, where I picked up a good 200 in September 2008.

[TenX]

here is a nice chart showing various sizes of shot shells and their comparisons

http://www.suburbanguns.co.za/shooters_information.htm

Cheers
Mandeep

This is good info... Thanks

[shahid]

Look under - shotguns. I had posted info from my ELEY shooters diary about shot sizes last year.

[snIPer]

Thanks All

[ebenezer]

And NO you simply CANNOT safely use 70 mm (2 3/4") shells in a shotgun chambered for the shorter 65 mm (2 1/2") shells.

Cheers!
Abhijeet

That's absolutely true, that's what I too have mentioned in my post.

Also, since the cartridges are 70 mm, it is advised that they be used in guns with chambers of 2 3/4 size.
Regards,
Ebenezer

Don't know the technical aspects of the shot size. But that is what is printed on the wad. Anyway, thanks for the information.

Regards,
Ebenezer

[MoA]

For all of you who are having trouble cleaning the barrels due to carbon deposits a quick tip:

Use patches soaked in any 'engine cleaning' fluid for petrol engines. Or even automatic transmission fluid if you can get it.

Works wonders...

[raj]

let me correct everyone who is not beleiving abt 4.8 shaktiman shell,.,..,
there is readily available shel,havin 4.8mm dia balls called as 4.8 shell,.,..,they cost around rs55/-

[bandukbhandar]

Dear IFG members

Sometime in 1977, govt. of India banned sale sof LG/SG loaded ammunition and issued a notification that shotshells with pellets of more than 5mm are banned in India.

Hence, in INdia a new pellet size of 4.8mm was created. In my opinion it is nothing but BB pellet.

Cheers

Kezar Husen Bandukwala

[raj]

4.8 shells are different from BB shells.....i ve both with me/./.
pellets of 4.8shell is bigger than that of BB shell