12 Gauge Birdshot Gel Testing

[Moparman485]

Hello all! Below are all of my results for the 12 Gauge Birdshot. Please see the associated card to see the ammo type, velocity, firearm, and penetration information. Please feel free to also add any results you may have had, as this could possibly turn into a library of sorts with multiple contributors to help people pick which ammo to stock up on, and what ammo is all hype. In the case of non-factory ammunition that is tested, please bear in mind that you only use the listed load data at your own risk. Safe in my guns does not mean safe in yours. I am also open to testing any ammunition that you may have (factory or non) but if it is non-factory, I will need a breakdown of your load data/process before I pull the trigger on it. If you have an interest in that, PM me and we can discuss. If nothing else, please enjoy the results, they were certainly fun getting!

Gel data: 20% ballistic gel made from Knox unflavored gelatin (and for the money minded, great value unflavored gelatin powder also works fine), and a few drops of cinnamon oil to help keep mold down and prolong the life of the gel (plus cover the wet dog smell of the melting gel).

Also, I don’t pretend to think that this method is the best, most scientific, or even preferred method, but it felt a bit wasteful to just hold onto the data without sharing it with others. So here it is! Enjoy

Note: firearm used is my smoothbore cylinder bore 18.5 inch savage 320. Distance from muzzle to target is 10 yards

 

[Moparman485]

1.75 Inch Federal Shorty Shotshell #8s

 

[Moparman485]

Federal Field and Target 2.75 Inch Multi Purpose Load #7.5s

 

[Moparman485]

Remington Express XLR (Extra Long Range) 2.75 inch #4s

 

[swampratt]

That is sooo cool almost looks like an art project with the shot suspended.

 

[Moparman485]

That is sooo cool almost looks like an art project with the shot suspended.

It was definitely a hoot to do!

 

[RickN]

Something tells me the #4 would take most people down.

 

[Jason Freeland]

From working trauma for almost 20 years, I can say I never saw birdshot do any kind of critical damage to any patient. I would definitely use the number 4 shot as the minimum for defense.

 

[Moparman485]

From working trauma for almost 20 years, I can say I never saw birdshot do any kind of critical damage to any patient. I would definitely use the number 4 shot as the minimum for defense.

That was essentially the point of my test was “home defense” type situation. I had for years heard people say that birdshot was best for (insert reason) here, and, realistically, at very close (closer than 10yds) I am positive it is lethal due to basically still being in the shot cup and functioning like a fragmenting slug. However, I couldn’t find any testing on a “home defense” distance test for the same.

A constant concern with using a 12ga, and having neighbors with kids on every side of my house, is over penetration and a stray round or rounds making its way to them.

So, after doing this testing, I agree, the #4 (particularly this load) gives good patterns at 10 and 25yds (even in a smooth cylinder bore), has recoil a slight more than a standard 7.5 dove round (but nowhere near as bad as a turkey load), gives effective penetration, and will definitely be less likely to penetrate the wall and become a threat to someone (aside from the intended target). So now, my home defense 12ga will be loaded with #4s.

Of course, I wouldn’t want to be shot with anything, let alone a shotgun, but I believe the #4 to be more effective at stopping a threat than a 7.5/8, and less risky to bystanders than a slug or buckshot.

 

[Cold Smoke]

My granddad was the big poobah in the ER at Hillcrest eons ago. He had said that birdshot up close was the worst thing to try and repair. According to him you basically had to hope that you could pull the edges together because there wasn’t any middle. Probably really close like was mentioned before the shot charge begins to separate from the wad and it’s essentially a frangible round.