Cut shells are stupid.

[chopinbloc]

I think I forgot to mention that they'll jam up your shotgun. They also said rude things about your mom. And shotguns are a poor choice for defense, anyway.

 

[MistWolf]

A shotgun isn't a poor choice for self defense, an AR is a better choice

 

[mokin]

I'll bet you'd have a had a hard time admitting you didn't have fun trying that though.

I went to the range a couple of years ago and did some experiments cutting shells. I'll admit I used inexpensive trap loads which probably weren't the best choice, and, my results were a little disappointing. Most of the time the hull would break where cut, the wad would push the shot through the end of the hull, and I'd find the hull fragment on the ground as I walked up to check the target, now riddled with birdshot. My lesson was basically what is demonstrated in the video.

I did have a real good time.

 

[GBExpat]

That is interesting & well done, thanks.

First time I have ever heard of "cut shells".

 

[Crawdad1]

Shotguns are a poor choice for defense? Not in my book. They're at the very top.

 

[stoky]

Cut shells are retarded.
And shotguns are a poor choice

so is that shirt

 

[ironworkerwill]

so is that shirt

ouch!

I like the shotgun for defense and short range offense. Why else would the point man have one?

 

[Dog Soldier]

During WWII due to a shortage of ammunition some states changed their rules. They allowed the use of Cut Shells for deer hunting.

 

[JamieC]

Inside HD ranges, no shoulder fired weapon is more destructive than a 12ga shotgun. 00 buck, #1, #4 buck, slug, pretty sure It'll stop a BG, right now! Pretty sure an AR will also, just not as sure. Lot's of reports, Mogadishu for instance, of the BG not always going down at close distance. Rounds zip right through. Head shot from an AR, you're probably dead, head shot from a 12ga, you have no head. That being said, I have an AR, no problem relying on it if needed. Pretty much a toss up between the two IMO, pluses and minuses.

 

[GBExpat]

Is the idea of a "cut shell" that the separated upper half of the shell will keep all of the shot in the shotcup and, therefore, make it impact as a tight group rather than a pattern?

Sorry, as I indicated, this is a brand new term/concept to me.

BTW, if I am going to be using a shotgun in a defensive scenario it will, almost certainly, be loaded with double or triple aught buck.

 

[Jeff H]

Hmmm. Interesting. I didn't know "cut shells" were a thing. Never heard of them before.

 

[guyfromohio]

Is the idea of a "cut shell" that the separated upper half of the shell will keep all of the shot in the shotcup and, therefore, make it impact as a tight group rather than a pattern?

Sorry, as I indicated, this is a brand new term/concept to me.

BTW, if I am going to be using a shotgun in a defensive scenario it will, almost certainly, be loaded with double or triple aught buck.

It essentially turns bird shot into a slug.

 

[Darkbob]

I think its supposed to be less like a slug and more like a frangible. But yes, the idea is that all of the shot impacts in one spot to increase penetration.

 

[GBExpat]

It essentially turns bird shot into a slug.

Aaaahhh ... thanks for the explanation, guyfromohio!

 

[Sam1911]

The idea, as explained to me by my grandpa and Dad, was that when certain folks were out bird hunting or rabbit hunting they certainly wouldn't have wanted to be found with Buckshot or a pumpkin ball load in their pocket. But they might have, in a moment of weakness, sliced a shell like that if a nice buck stepped out of a hedgerow in front of them a few days before the season opened.

For some folks back in my grandad's day there weren't moments of weakness so much as life times of weakness.

Never heard of anybody using one deliberately for defensive shooting.

I do know that they'll knock over a pepper popper pretty smartly. But having done it once I don't care to do it again.

 

[GBExpat]

The Rest of the Story ...

Thanks, Sam.

 

[Jason_W]

Slightly off topic, but I'm wondering if there are ever any exceptions to the 12 inch rule when it comes to defensive rounds.

For example, el cheapo 12 gauge slugs may not yield 12" of penetration in gelatin at across the room distances, but they dump a ton of energy into the target and would leave a gaping wound and presumably a lot liquified vital tissue.

It's hard to imagine someone walking off a hit to the midsection with a 12 ga slug regardless of gel performance.

 

[chopinbloc]

A shotgun isn't a poor choice for self defense, an AR is a better choice

Everything is relative.

 

[chopinbloc]

I'll bet you'd have a had a hard time admitting you didn't have fun trying that though.

I went to the range a couple of years ago and did some experiments cutting shells. I'll admit I used inexpensive trap loads which probably weren't the best choice, and, my results were a little disappointing. Most of the time the hull would break where cut, the wad would push the shot through the end of the hull, and I'd find the hull fragment on the ground as I walked up to check the target, now riddled with birdshot. My lesson was basically what is demonstrated in the video.

I did have a real good time.

Yeah, there are a lot of things that are a great deal of fun, but serve no practical purpose. Like bump fire stocks.

 

[MachIVshooter]

If you want penetration, use slugs. Bird shot is for birds.

As an aside, flight control buckshot is also a poor choice for home defense IMO, won't spread out at all at in-the-house distance. Of course, I don't use shotguns for HD anyway. SBR'd AR is my go-to.

 

[chopinbloc]

5.56mm doesn't spread much, either. ;-)

The reason buckshot is effective, isn't spread, it's tissue damage. You want a tight pattern to put as much damage into the vital organs as possible.

 

[bikemutt]

When I shot trap 3 nights a week, back in the good 'ole days, we'd occasionally cut a shell or two and blast an old rusted car that'd been dumped at the range. It was kinda fun to hear the thud instead of pellet rain. Harmless fun really, nothing more.

 

[Arizona_Mike]

Is anyone actually using this depression-era contingency slug except for testing and historical interest?

Mike

 

[chopinbloc]

I don't know if anyone seriously intends to use it, but they seem to be fond of it on the forums.

 

[MachIVshooter]

5.56mm doesn't spread much, either. ;-)

Slightly different wounding mechanism, which, of course, you're well aware of!