Powder charge

Ammunition

Powder Charge in Shotshells

You can buy the same shot shells with various powder charges. The boxes may be marked target, field or magnum load. Magnum loads have more powder than target or field loads.
shotshells box with labels

Sometimes the powder charge, weight of shot and size of shot will be marked on the side of the shotshell or box— for example 3, 1 1/8, 7 1/2.

Learn how to properly read the side of a shotshell or box.

Picking The Right Shot Size
Game	Shot Size	Choke	Recommended Gauge
Geese	Steel T, BBB, BB 1, 2	M, IM	10, 12
Ducks	Steel 1, 2, 3, 4, 6	IC, M, IM	10, 12, 20
Turkey	Lead 4, 5, 6	F, XF	10, 12, 16, 20
Pheasant	Lead 4, 5, 6, 7 1/2 Steel 4, 6	IC,M,IM M, IM	12, 16, 20 12, 20
Grouse	Lead 5, 6, 7 1/2, 8	IC, M	12, 16, 20, 28
Partridge	Lead 5, 6, 7 1/2, 8	IC, M	12, 16, 20, 28
Woodcock	Lead 6, 7 1/2, 8	IC, M	12, 16, 20, 28
Snipe	Steel 4, 6, 7	IC, M	12, 20
Rail	Steel 4, 6, 7	IC, M	12, 20
Quail	Lead 6, 7 1/2, 8	IC, M	12, 16, 20, 28, 410
Dove	Lead 7 1/2, 8 Steel 4, 6, 7	IC, M IC, M	12, 16, 20, 28, 410 12, 20
Rabbit	Lead 4, 5, 6, 7 1/2	IC, M	12, 16, 20, 28, 410
Squirrel	Lead 4, 5, 6	M, IM, F	12, 16, 20, 28, 410
IC = Improved Cylinder M = Modified IM = Improved Modified F= Full XF= Extra Full