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Old March 10, 2014, 01:43 PM   #1
mannyCA
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shooting through drywall

I did a quick video shooting various SD ammunition through drywall for my club in an attempt to hopefully settle some discussion, but I think its going to ferment more opinions.
At 12 yards the birdshot through the Rem 870 opened up too much and took out the “wall”.
Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqETMARQ8xk
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Old March 11, 2014, 11:59 AM   #2
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Can you summarize your results? Without a summary, this thread may be closed by the mods for being a drive-by. Also, a summary would help those of us on mobile connections who don't want to load a YouTube video.
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Old March 12, 2014, 08:44 AM   #3
Willie D
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Summary: all ammo used went through 4 sheets of drywall.


This is essentially what the "Box Of Truth" website showed.

The one thing I wonder about is how angled shots perform as opposed to shooting solely from 90 degrees. At 45 degrees or less the thickness of the drywall is almost doubled, the odds you'd hit a stud (placed every 16") are greater, and there could possibly be a more pronounced tumble from some bullets.
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Old March 12, 2014, 10:44 AM   #4
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vid

great suggestion! The next round of tests will involve angles and greater distances. BTW, I'll be uploading a wrap up discussion video this week.

No drive by's here, just trying to give back to the firearms community.
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Old March 12, 2014, 11:32 AM   #5
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Maybe a piece of cement board, and some green board, as well.
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Old March 12, 2014, 08:43 PM   #6
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Good vid.

Any chance you can try out frangibles?

Do they live up to the claims?
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Old March 12, 2014, 08:59 PM   #7
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True Frangible ammo will NOT come apart unless it hits something harder then itself. It is designed to reduce to dust on impact with steel tgts and backstops in shoothouses

Constructed of powder compressed into shape it allows you to shoot without risk of ricochet.

In anything softer it acts as a solid projectile
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Old March 14, 2014, 01:14 AM   #8
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quick wrap-up/discussion video is up in cased anyone is interested, going to try some 40 cal frangibles since they're the only ones I've got at the moment. stay tuned.
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Old November 30, 2015, 10:31 PM   #9
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Perhaps you meant "fOment" instead of "ferment" opinions. Opinions generally don't actually ferment, unless discussed exhaustively at happy hour.
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Old November 30, 2015, 11:00 PM   #10
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Thanks. I'm still a 12Ga. with birdshot fan. I think you proved it.
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Old December 1, 2015, 03:47 AM   #11
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I don't have to worry about drywall or over penetration so I'll stick with 00 buck.
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Old December 1, 2015, 10:57 AM   #12
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The folks who dismiss birdshot are thinking what it does at the distances for wing shooting.
At home defense distance, it's quite a different matter.
Thanks for the test and video.
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Old December 1, 2015, 11:49 AM   #13
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I worked with a man that was shot with birdshot across a small bedroom with a single barrel 12 gauge. He took the shotgun away from the guy and beat him to death with it before he called 911. He had to have extensive surgery and lost half his stomach but he lived. Maybe a rare instance but I'll stick with 00 JIC.
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Old December 5, 2015, 06:30 PM   #14
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Quote:
The folks who dismiss birdshot are thinking what it does at the distances for wing shooting.
At home defense distance, it's quite a different matter.
Birdshot is a terrible choice for anything bigger than a rabbit, no matter how often the myth is recycled
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Old December 6, 2015, 10:24 AM   #15
g.willikers
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The physics of birdshot says different.
But don't take my word, check the evidence of those who have done the tests.
It's not my idea, I'm just relaying the message.
According to them the effectiveness of birdshot depends on how many pellets hit the target.
The energy of each pellet in the round is divided up by the total number of pellets.
Not all that much for each one.
However,
At home defense distance, probably measured in mere feet, there's very little spread.
Most all of them hit together, simulating a single projectile, sometimes even including the wad.
Maybe something like a "cut" round.
That's what they say.
From my own tests, it looks correct.
Maybe not the best end all choice for a home defense round, but nothing feeble about it.
Also consider what fast, multiple rounds would do.
If birdshot was all that was available, no reason to think it was useless.
Remember, we're considering home defense distances, like in a bedroom, not engaging small game at twenty yards.
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Old December 6, 2015, 11:10 AM   #16
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If birdshot is good buckshot is better. Just sayin.
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Old December 6, 2015, 11:33 AM   #17
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If you got it, use it, for sure.
If not, it doesn't look like we're helpless with mere birdshot.
If the shotgun is kept unloaded for some reason, and it's dark, maybe ya' pick up the wrong load.
So, in the final analysis what is more important, the ammo or the shooter?
And the less we miss, the less the consideration if our rounds go though walls must become.
Just a thought.
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Old December 6, 2015, 12:15 PM   #18
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I have one by the bed and it is always loaded and chambered. Rounds going through walls is of no consequence. Shot wiring maybe.
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Old December 6, 2015, 01:17 PM   #19
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I just want to throw this out there for some to chew on. Birdshot is a loosely used term for anything smaller than buckshot. It ranges in size from a Lil bigger than a .177 Cal bb down to #8 shot if you buy it at local stores. I have a jug of #12 which I belive is the same as rat shot. Never seen a commercially loaded shotgun round with anything smaller than #9 which is hard to find itsself. Another thing to consider is the wad. Some are made to hold the shot together longer and some are made to open immediately. Comparing bird shot is not done enough n my opinion. The choke you use also plays a role in this just as much as the range of your target. I personally use a 18 inch barrel with cylinder bore, means no choke at all, with a lightly recoiling load and I mix the pellets up with 1/8 ounce of #6, 1/8 of #9 and half ounce of #12. Very little recoil and at 12 feet it almost entirely covers a 4x8 sheet of plywood. I can't imagen any human walking thru 8 shots of that to get me. Maybe if on drugs but at that point he's going to look like he went thru a meat grinder and if he does get away there will b plenty of da evidence for the cops to catch him later. Yes I do have a 45 next to the bed and ol lady has hers on her side of the bed. If I walk into the yard at night im prepared for that too. But seriously folks just going to wally world and picking up a box of birdshot or buckshot isn't always what you want. I have 4 kids in my house at night and I like small pellets that don't over penetrate. I will meet and greet the threat while my wife brings a Lil more firepower
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Old December 7, 2015, 06:58 PM   #20
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I agree to disagree with some of you.

Birdshot in my opinion is a perfectly adequate Home Defense cartridge at normal distances encountered in Houses or Apartments.

As to will it penetrate walls - I am certain it will. Will it penetrate as deeply as Buckshot or Slugs - not hardly. But everything is relative to distance, exact wall construction, angle of shot, plus I am sure a few other things I can't think of now.

Regards,

Rob
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Old December 7, 2015, 08:02 PM   #21
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It will probably penetrate drywall, depending on range, but your plumbing inside the wall should still be intact.

I do think the walls are going to get a lot less damage than the person you're shooting at, if you're aiming.
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Old December 8, 2015, 07:08 PM   #22
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Dry wall

I think that no matter what ammo or gun your using, training is required. Also possible a laser would be effective to help avoid missing your target. Also depending on how close your target is you may want an AR-15 or a handgun.
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Old December 8, 2015, 09:56 PM   #23
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I don't see where a laser would be effective at short range with a shotgun and I don't have anything I'd want a laser on and I wouldn't have an AR period. Not knocking those that do but they're not my cup o tea. I'll take a shotgun for home defense over a handgun any day.
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Old December 9, 2015, 11:36 AM   #24
g.willikers
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The high pressure round from a rifle fired indoors would have to be deafening.
Let alone multiple ones fired in rapid succession.
It's bad enough outdoors.
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Old December 9, 2015, 07:53 PM   #25
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Quote:
The high pressure round from a rifle fired indoors would have to be deafening.
Let alone multiple ones fired in rapid succession.
It's bad enough outdoors.
That's true. It's a smaller space and has open windows on three sides but I fired my .54 Hawken with the muzzle inside a shooting house once. Jumpin Jehosaphat!!!! I'm glad it wasn't a 30-06.
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