sheetrock tests

Clogbert · December 11, 1999, 12:51 AM

I made some frames with 4 layers of sheetrock separated by 2x4s. Used a Remington 870, 12ga, 20" IC choke, and #8 birdshot, #5 bird, and #4 "tactical" buck. At 7 paces (approx 18 feet), the #4 buck went through all 4 layers, #5 bird went through 3 layers, and #8 bird went through 2 layers and almost through the 3d. For my own home defense, looks like #5 bird is the one. Your mileage may vary ...

Big Bunny · December 12, 1999, 04:15 PM

Clogbert, I'd go for soft shot quail-type skeet traploads with BR#7s myself. It penetrates less and has less pain on the inevitable richochet on hitting a wood or steel stud! [Also you can get your brief at the court-case to say "But,your Honor, my client ONLY used target loads when he COULD have used his 3.5" magnum copperclad US#4s!"]

At your very close ranges (EG for H/D purposes - as you have so commendably tested) it matters not what size you use, the shot-stream is almost a single projectile, and in some cases may have not even left the wad !

Even BR size 10s would be nasty.

Terrible tweezers job for the poor Doc to get 800(?) tiny shot out of the crim though, but on second thoughts... at that range it wouldn't be neccessary on a DOA case at your nearest emmergency hospital....

[Reminds me of the British Home Guard advice reportedly given to a relation of mine early in UK in the stressful year of 1940. He was told in a WD pamphlet to "extend his range" for unwelcome german parachutist gentlemen tourists at night from horse-back was to "molten-pour candle wax into his 12Ga 2" BR#6 birdshot cartridges and let set!!"
The effect on firing in his light SxS would probably have burst the barrel, but then thems were desperate days for a disarmed citizenry expecting an immanent invasion from only 30 miles away.]

------------------
***Big Bunny***

Clogbert · December 12, 1999, 11:29 PM

Big - as a matter of fact, the shot cup on all 3 different loads went through the first layer of sheetrock. I was thinking of using #8 because I was worried about hitting my gas water heater, but after measuring the apartment, and plotting my field of fire, it looks like the A/C unit will absorb any misses first. 8^)

pete80 · December 13, 1999, 02:16 PM

I can only imagine where my "00" buck is going...

Clogbert · December 13, 1999, 11:37 PM

Pete - can you say "South America" ? 8^)

CMOS · December 14, 1999, 04:50 PM

Then again, there may be times when you want to shoot through walls...

CMOS

------------------
GOA, TSRA, LEAA, NRA, SAF and I vote!

pete80 · December 17, 1999, 02:00 PM

From: PETE in So.Cal.
To: China

K80Geoff · December 18, 1999, 04:38 PM

If you want to see what the pattern of a trap load looks like at close range, go the the local trap range. Someone always manages to hit the back of the Trap house. The pattern at that range opens up enough to make a big mess if it hit someone in the chest!

Geoff Ross

December 11, 1999, 12:51 AM	#1
Clogbert Member Join Date: November 28, 1999 Posts: 21	I made some frames with 4 layers of sheetrock separated by 2x4s. Used a Remington 870, 12ga, 20" IC choke, and #8 birdshot, #5 bird, and #4 "tactical" buck. At 7 paces (approx 18 feet), the #4 buck went through all 4 layers, #5 bird went through 3 layers, and #8 bird went through 2 layers and almost through the 3d. For my own home defense, looks like #5 bird is the one. Your mileage may vary ...

December 12, 1999, 04:15 PM	#2
Big Bunny Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 1999 Location: New South Wales - Australia Posts: 605	Clogbert, I'd go for soft shot quail-type skeet traploads with BR#7s myself. It penetrates less and has less pain on the inevitable richochet on hitting a wood or steel stud! [Also you can get your brief at the court-case to say "But,your Honor, my client ONLY used target loads when he COULD have used his 3.5" magnum copperclad US#4s!"] At your very close ranges (EG for H/D purposes - as you have so commendably tested) it matters not what size you use, the shot-stream is almost a single projectile, and in some cases may have not even left the wad ! Even BR size 10s would be nasty. Terrible tweezers job for the poor Doc to get 800(?) tiny shot out of the crim though, but on second thoughts... at that range it wouldn't be neccessary on a DOA case at your nearest emmergency hospital.... [Reminds me of the British Home Guard advice reportedly given to a relation of mine early in UK in the stressful year of 1940. He was told in a WD pamphlet to "extend his range" for unwelcome german parachutist gentlemen tourists at night from horse-back was to "molten-pour candle wax into his 12Ga 2" BR#6 birdshot cartridges and let set!!" The effect on firing in his light SxS would probably have burst the barrel, but then thems were desperate days for a disarmed citizenry expecting an immanent invasion from only 30 miles away.] ------------------ *Big Bunny*

December 12, 1999, 11:29 PM	#3
Clogbert Member Join Date: November 28, 1999 Posts: 21	Big - as a matter of fact, the shot cup on all 3 different loads went through the first layer of sheetrock. I was thinking of using #8 because I was worried about hitting my gas water heater, but after measuring the apartment, and plotting my field of fire, it looks like the A/C unit will absorb any misses first. 8^)

December 13, 1999, 02:16 PM	#4
pete80 Senior Member Join Date: July 4, 1999 Posts: 454	I can only imagine where my "00" buck is going...

December 13, 1999, 11:37 PM	#5
Clogbert Member Join Date: November 28, 1999 Posts: 21	Pete - can you say "South America" ? 8^)

December 14, 1999, 04:50 PM	#6
CMOS Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 1999 Location: TEXAS Posts: 1,417	Then again, there may be times when you want to shoot through walls... CMOS ------------------ GOA, TSRA, LEAA, NRA, SAF and I vote!

December 17, 1999, 02:00 PM	#7
pete80 Senior Member Join Date: July 4, 1999 Posts: 454	From: PETE in So.Cal. To: China

December 18, 1999, 04:38 PM	#8
K80Geoff Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 1998 Location: NE Pennsylvania Posts: 3,639	If you want to see what the pattern of a trap load looks like at close range, go the the local trap range. Someone always manages to hit the back of the Trap house. The pattern at that range opens up enough to make a big mess if it hit someone in the chest! Geoff Ross