Why does birdshot leap from #6 to #7.5?

Why not #7 shot? Am I missing something obvious here?

2011-01-28T13:05:22Z

Sorry CTM, rephrase, "commonly leap from #6 to #7.5?"

Cane Toad Mutiny2011-01-28T12:53:36Z

Favorite Answer

There is a number 7 birdshot.
http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=108170

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=89208

xscout90942011-01-28T20:50:41Z

There are standards for shot size of every whole number from 1 - 12, and also 7 1/2, 8 1/2, and 9/12, in American shot size standards. The question isn't why isn't there a size 7, it's why don't they make that size. It would be .10" in diameter.

Maybe it's because 7.5 shot falls conveniently halfway between 6 and 9, and also would be slightly larger than 8 shot.

You can see a chart here: http://www.santarosaleadproducts.com/lead_shot.htm

There's much more information in my Dixie Gun Works catalog though.

Anonymous2011-01-28T20:51:19Z

Because #7 shot is soooo 1901.



They probably figured that since there would be no real place for #7, that they'd come up with #7.5. Either that, or they screwed up originally with #7, and then realized the shot sizes they were making were really #7.5 and then decided to just go with that.

pagamenews2011-01-29T02:47:20Z

I've actually seen 7 shot, and even 8.5 shot.

But you ask a very good question. 7 shot is rare - very rare. And I have no idea how they came-up with the idea of 7.5 shot.

Doc Hudson2011-01-28T20:50:21Z

Be damned if I know!

Good question! I'd truly never noticed the gap in over 40 years of fooling with guns.

Doc Hudson

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