Definition of birdshot?

[PieFace]

Dose anyone here know how large shot has to be not to be considered birdshot, officially that is?

Is a BB still classed as birdshot until it gets so big it becomes buckshot?

Is birdshot from size 9 for example to size 1 and BB is just that, BB i.e. not birdshot and not buckshot?

I know lots of people have there own idea on what constitutes birdshot, BB and buckshot but is there a shooting bible somewhere that spells this out so there is no ambiguity?

Many Thanks,

Pieface…

 

[evbutler462]

Jack O'Connor's Shotgun Book, page 242 indicates that birdshot ranges from #12 through #1 shot.

#12 is the dust shot found in .22 shot cartridges and #1 is about the size of BB shot. #1 is .17 in diameter and BB is .18 in diameter. What is normally found at the ammo shop is #9 through BB that will fit the description of birdshot, IMO.

Hope this helps.

 

[Virginian]

Don't forget Coyote shot. Comes before Buckshot, too.

 

[Jeff Mull]

And then there is bullshot.

Lots of it being flung around...

 

[Loomis]

I'm not sure what you are talking about. Birdshot generally comes in number 4 through number 9

Buckshot is generally triple ought through number 4.

The bb sizes are inbetween bird and buck. Keep in mind that number 4 buck IS NOT THE SAME SIZE as number 4 bird.

 

[evbutler462]

Buckshot also comes in 0000 size.

I normally think of birdshot as 7 1/2 and 8s. I use 6s occasionally for pheasants. Waterfowl hunters use larger shot.

Everyone has an opinion as to what size fits their needs. Since I don't waterfowl, I leave this opinion to the experts. You pretnear have to be an expert to waterfowl. Methinks they are hard to hit. Well, so is a dove and many of them fall to 8s.

I like to read after the experts such as Brister and O'Conner. I cut my teeth on O'Connor's writing. Been a fan of his ever since. These guys have done a lot of research and have shared it with us.

Happy hunting!!

 

[cerberus65]

This link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun_shell) has tables for birdshot and buckshot. Hope it helps...

 

[jmr40]

To my way of thinking birdshot is meant for small game hunting. I checked Georgia's hunting regs and they list any 10 guage or smaller shot shell with #2 shot or smaller as legal for small game. That seems a reasonable definition to me.

The use of steel shot has confused the matter however. Steel shot up to size F is legal in Georgia for waterfowl. I duck/goose hunt occasionally and have never heard of F shot. I have used BB's on geese, but nothing larger.

 

[_DMC]

To confuse it a little more, sizes T, TT, F and FF used to be available as lead shot. (T and F lead are still made for reloaders). They were sometimes refered to as "Buckshot".

 

[chas08]

Steel shot up to size F is legal in Georgia for waterfowl. I duck/goose hunt occasionally and have never heard of F shot.

Steel F-Shot is no longer commercialy produced in loaded ammunition. It worked great in a 10 ga. loading and was favored by many Goose guides in the rice prairies of Texas in the 80's. However it failed miserably in the 12 ga 3 in. loading and developed a reputation as a high percentage crippler. (the 3.5 in. 12ga. hadn't developed a following yet) Thus it was discontinued. As far as I know it is still legal to use and may be available for handloading. IIRC the pellets were .21 cal. Small caches of it can still be found. I saw some on Gunbroker a while back. I've always favored T-shot in a 10 ga loading and still use it today.

 

[Zip7]

I duck/goose hunt occasionally and have never heard of F shot.

Most Gooses in the MS flyway wear trauma plates that will absorb multiple hits from a 308. Everything larger than BB was developed to try and kill these tactical Gooses with non-toxic shot. However, the best Goose stopping round is still 458 Win mag. Best to use a double rifle for quick follow up shot. Gooses die hard.

 

[machinisttx]

Most Gooses in the MS flyway wear trauma plates that will absorb multiple hits from a 308. Everything larger than BB was developed to try and kill these tactical Gooses with non-toxic shot. However, the best Goose stopping round is still 458 Win mag. Best to use a double rifle for quick follow up shot. Gooses die hard.

If you liked that, you'll love this The .825 G&S Online Express Magnum

 

[chas08]

I'll take one, if you can fit 80 of them in a smooth bore with a tight ckoke.

 

[Regolith]

T steel shot is still being made. The local walmart carries em in 3" shells.

 

[45crittergitter]

IMHO, "birdshot" is undefined. There is "shot" and "buckshot," some of which carry the same number. If it's not designated "buckshot," then it's regular "shot" (some say birdshot), regardless of its diameter.

 

[huntsman]

I'm not sure what you are talking about. Birdshot generally comes in number 4 through number 9

Buckshot is generally triple ought through number 4.

The bb sizes are in between bird and buck. Keep in mind that number 4 buck IS NOT THE SAME SIZE as number 4 bird.

+1 and steel was to replace the BB sizes.

 

[45crittergitter]

So what do you call sizes 1, 2 and 3 that aren't buckshot?