Some observations on novelty ammo.....
Dave , If I may...
Rule #1 have a gun.
Rule #2 ammo must be reliable in said gun. This is why we reiterate the minimum testing of a given load in any platform before we choose to carry/use it for defence.
Rule #2 ... IME/IME Mini-shells are not reliable in anything but single shot, O/U or SxS's. Not all repeaters ( semis and pumps) may hold more rds...it is shot placement ... one hitch before one can place a shot is to FEED the gun.
IME /IMO mini's have very poor patterns and penetration.
I know what Winchester's 00 buck and 1oz slugs will do. I know what #1 buck and 4 buck will do.
And I know for sure what Mom's 20 ga will do with # 3 buck and slugs . Another choice we use - Winchester X20 , the 2 3/4 " Super X game load in #4 out of her modified tube at 5yds..."misty" 15yds is ...down right ugly.
I have set up other elderly persons with the same set up as mom...same loads.
Got one "elderly lady" set up with a .410...now she prefers slugs [ Federal ]
...she accepted the fact in her duplex the Federal B413, the 11/16 oz , 3" load of #4 will work. Darn right I call before I go visit...this gal is a character.
She can shoot too. Eighty yrs old, shooting 12 ga slugs from my gun...after a dozen she still wanted to shoot more.
Just can't shuck like she used to...she used to win side bets at Trap in the younger years.
Fussing at the younger bunch because the recoil hurt...I had tears of laughter while SHE told the young whippersnappers how to shoot...I wish I had video taped that day...darn right I listened...hey she had experience and a loaded gun...I learned as well.