Laserslug
Member
The 20 gauge shotgun slug has more than triple the energy of a .357 magnum bullet. The slug goes at 1600 feet per second. The bullet goes at 1240 fps. The 20 gauge slug has a mass of 3/4 ounce (21.3 grams). A bullet from a .357 handgun has a mass of 10.26 grams (158 grains).
Kinetic energy = 1/2 m (v squared)
Ordinary 2 and 3/4 inch shell ... 1/2 * 21.30 * 1600 * 1600
Magnum .357 cartridge............... 1/2 * 10.26 * 1240 * 1240
The ratio of slug energy divided by bullet energy is 27264000 / 7887888 = 3.46
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But I can buy a magnum loaded 20 gauge slug with a mass of 1 ounce (28.4 grams). Here is that calculation:
Kinetic energy = 1/2 m (v squared)
Magnum 3 inch shell .......... 1/2 * 28.40 * 1500 * 1500
Magnum .357 cartridge......... 1/2 * 10.26 * 1240 * 1240
The ratio of slug energy divided by bullet energy is 31950000 / 7887888 = 4.05
The 20 gauge magnum slug has 4 times as much kinetic energy as a .357 magnum! The recoil from a 6.5 pound shotgun feels like the recoil from a 25 ounce handgun.
Kinetic energy = 1/2 m (v squared)
Ordinary 2 and 3/4 inch shell ... 1/2 * 21.30 * 1600 * 1600
Magnum .357 cartridge............... 1/2 * 10.26 * 1240 * 1240
The ratio of slug energy divided by bullet energy is 27264000 / 7887888 = 3.46
_________________________________________________________
But I can buy a magnum loaded 20 gauge slug with a mass of 1 ounce (28.4 grams). Here is that calculation:
Kinetic energy = 1/2 m (v squared)
Magnum 3 inch shell .......... 1/2 * 28.40 * 1500 * 1500
Magnum .357 cartridge......... 1/2 * 10.26 * 1240 * 1240
The ratio of slug energy divided by bullet energy is 31950000 / 7887888 = 4.05
The 20 gauge magnum slug has 4 times as much kinetic energy as a .357 magnum! The recoil from a 6.5 pound shotgun feels like the recoil from a 25 ounce handgun.