Any "Real World Tests" of ammo and overpenetration?

[Classified00]

Hello all,

I've been reading a lot about HD ammo choices and overpenetration. It's amazing how there is such a broad range of thoughts on this. Here are few bits that I have seen:

* Birdshot is worthless against someone wearing heavy clothes at 10yds.
* Birdshot will penetrate a 55 gallon drum at 10 yds.
* Birdshort will not penetrate walls.
* Birdshot will penetrate walls.
* Buckshot won't penetrate walls (000 - #4).
* Buckshot will go straight through walls (000 - #4).
* Etc...

About the only thing everyone seems to agree on is that slugs WILL penetrate BG's and walls .... and more.

Somewhere there has to be some guy who took his SG into an old house and did some scientific research

I'm not trying to drum up any old battles, I'm just looking for some real world testing. Like many of you, I'm searching for the the perfect balance between enough and too much.

Any thoughts?
Brent...

 

[Dave McCracken]

One soul from TFL now here built a test wall and tried it out. I'll let him respond.

I've shot a few walls, but results were mixed and I wasn't all that scientific. Also, I've no idea if lath and plaster duplicates drywall.

Birdshot will penetrate LESS than buckshot. Best to test yourself.

 

[Mannlicher]

All I can say after nearly 50 years of shotgun shooting, is that they do not consistantly do what you think they will. Birdshot, buckshot, and slugs all tend to both amaze,and disappoint, and often do not produce the results you expected.

 

[Feanaro]

Shotguns are hard to experiment with because of the fact that they shoot many pellets rather than one bullet(other than slugs of course). The pellets behave differently from case to case.

 

[labgrade]

A lot of what you've mentioned is a generalization:

"Birdshort will not penetrate walls."

It sure will, depending on how close you are. Birdshot will be a solid slug - depending on how close you are. W/in 10 feet, it'll all be a solid slug & certainly will punch through.

"Buckshot won't penetrate walls (000 - #4)."

See above - +, It'll do better than that - heavier shot penetrates better than lesser.

It'll penetrate further away than will the smaller stuff after it starts to disperse - bigger things go through stouter stuff further out.

I may have the URL off, but go search
[Firearms Tactical]http://www.firearmstactical.com/[/URL] for their take on their best recommendation.

Seems they recommend #1 buck for an all 'round buck shot - all told.

Personally, & for my own lay-out, I'll choose a 3" magnum #4 buck, but that's just me, & for for my own house & lay-out.

Varies, I'd think.

 

[Sean Cloherty]

Excellent article at http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs10.htm

Tactical Briefs #10, October 1998

Shotgun Home Defense Ammunition


Seems taht #4 Buck is their choice of SD/HD ammo.

 

[Feanaro]

Perhaps I didn't read that page correctly Sean, but the article says they prefer Number 1 Buck.

For home defense applications a standard velocity 2 ¾-inch #1 buck shotshell (16 pellet payload) from Federal, Remington or Winchester is your best choice.

 

[Sean Cloherty]

That's weird. I guess I was typing faster than my brain was processing.

 

[TrapperReady]

Let's see... real world penetration tests... hmmm.

I've found that #5 shot max dram 2 3/4" shells make a horrible mess out of a chukar at 15 yards. That same load works wonders on pheasants at 35 yards. Brings 'em down and doesn't mess up the meat.

I've also found that a light powder load with 1 1/8 oz of #7.5 shot makes a very satisfying dust cloud on incoming overhead clay targets. The same load with #8.5 just doesn't seem to vaporize them quite as much.

This is the kind of info you're looking for, right?