Rifleman Q&A: Dram Equivalent

Ammunition box Winchester Super Speed shotshells drams

Q. Looking at the variety of shotgun ammunition available at my local gun shop, I have noticed that some boxes list “dram equivalent” along with shot size and shell length. Can you explain the term’s significance? Do more drams mean better performance?


Peters Rustless High Velocity shotshell ammunition with printed data

A. More and more ammunition manufacturers are printing the actual velocity of various shotshell loads on the boxes. Still, though, many continue to print dram-equivalent data on ammunition boxes. When all shotshells were loaded with blackpowder, all were loaded with specific charges measured in drams. When smokeless powder first came on the scene, these powders were called “bulk” powders, since they were loaded bulk-for-bulk the same as blackpowder, which resulted in comparable velocities. Therefore, printing the dram equivalent on a box of smokeless-powder shotshells gave the buyer guidance as to its performance.

Nowadays, the actual velocity tells us much more. The accompanying table compares common dram-equivalents with actual velocities for all common gauges.

—John M. Taylor, Contributing Editor


This “Questions & Answers” was featured in the November 2005 issue of American Rifleman. At time of publication, "Questions & Answers" was compiled by Staff, Ballistics Editor William C. Davis, Jr., and Contributing Editors: David Andrews, Hugh C. Birnbaum, Bruce N. Canfield, O. Reid Coffield, Charles Q. Cutshaw, Charles M. Fagg, Angus Laidlaw, Evan P. Marshall, Charles E. Petty, Robert B. Pomeranz, O.D., Jon R. Sundra, Jim Supica, A.W.F. Taylerson, John M. Taylor and John W. Treakle.

To subscribe to the magazine, visit the NRA membership page and select American Rifleman as your member magazine.

Latest

M1917 Carbine
M1917 Carbine

The “M1917 Carbine”

Overshadowed in history by the Springfield M1903, the U.S. Model 1917 was nonetheless an important infantry rifle beginning in World War I—and a little-known “Carbine” variant would, much later, arm Chinese, North Korean and North Vietnamese troops.

The Armed Citizen® March 10, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Bersa Follows Trend, Begins American Manufacturing

Bersa USA’s announcement that it was exhibiting at the IWA Outdoor Classic Exhibition in Nuremberg, signals yet another step forward for a company following a path other famed firearm firms have taken to find success—moving some or all manufacturing to the United States.

Preview: FOXPRO X24

This compact system, controlled by the TX-1000 wireless remote (three AAAs), features Xtreme High Definition speakers with improved frequency response with 24-bit audio for realistic sound clarity and comes loaded with more than 200 animal sounds.

Review: Bear Creek Arsenal BC-202

This handy Bear Creek Arsenal BC-202 carbine is based on the now-discontinued Ruger 10/22 Magnum.

New For 2025: Century Arms AP5-SD & AP5-L

Century Arms has expanded its AP5 family of MP5 clones with two unique options, both equipped with faux suppressors designed to preserve the original look of the MP5 design without running afoul of NFA laws.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.