power range of a 12ga?

[Cosmose]

we use to have a place where we could shoot like we wanted to. come range day we always shot our pistols. i don't know why we never tested the shotgun. anyway a few question's i was wondering about,

1 what is the effective range (for self-defense) from a modified 12.ga for oo buckshot?

2 same as above but using a rifled slug 12.ga smoothbore?

3what about shooting slug's out of a full choke. i've heard you can i've heard you can't will it hurt the gun?

4 my brother was considering a open choke short barrel for home -defense, again effective range for stopping power using 00 buckshot?

5 is a 410 slug (88 gr.) out of a 28 inch smoothbore as strong as a 357 magnum out of a 4 inch barrel revolver?

thanks for any replies

 

[redneck2]

1) each pellet is about the same as a .32 acp. Depends on the spread and how many pellts "hit"

2) as far as you can hit your target

3) won't hurt the gun but accuracy is typically poor

4) see #1

5) .410 is not even close. Same muzzle velocity, less weight, much poorer B.C.

 

[DougW]

As far as effective range of a 12ga, I figure from practical use that 00 buck (rreduced recoil) is good out to 50 yards. 1oz slug (reduced recoil) is good out to 150 yerds.

 

[mete]

I would not attempt 00 buck for anything over 25 yds for deer or man ! Slug - 100 yds . Steady diet of slugs may damage full choke.

 

[Fred Fuller]

1 what is the effective range (for self-defense) from a modified 12.ga for oo buckshot?
Buckshot being round has poor sectional density as does any spherical projectile. That means it looses velocity relatively fast. I have found with buckshot that you run out of penetration a good bit before you run out of pattern. I use full velocity 00 buck loads in the magazines of our house guns and I would not attempt to stretch it much beyond 25 yards, even given patterns that will stay in a sheet of typing paper at that range.

2 same as above but using a rifled slug 12.ga smoothbore?
Depends on your ability to hit with it, should be ballistically effective out past 100 yards if you can shoot it.

3what about shooting slug's out of a full choke. i've heard you can i've heard you can't will it hurt the gun?
I prefer to go no tighter than Modified shooting slugs. Shotgun barrels are all different, what may not hurt one might give another one indigestion.

4 my brother was considering a open choke short barrel for home -defense, again effective range for stopping power using 00 buckshot?
I'd say any load using a FliteControl wad (some Federal and Hornady products) will do fine out to useable range limits (25 yards IMHO) as far as patterning is concerned, even out of a CYL bore. With those loads, and with other buckshot, the patterning board is the only way to tell for sure. There's that "shotgun barrels are all different" thing again. An ImpCyl or Mod choke can do wonders for a buckshot pattern, in some instances.

5 is a 410 slug (88 gr.) out of a 28 inch smoothbore as strong as a 357 magnum out of a 4 inch barrel revolver?
I thought .410 slugs were heavier than that... half an ounce or a little heavier? I dunno, don't mess with them.

hth,

lpl/nc