Brass Fetcher Ballistic Testing

Findings applicable to:

12 gauge shotguns having a barrel length of 18” or greater and cylinder bore.

Maximum engagement distance of 10 feet.

  • • Federal Power-Shok #4 buckshot (F127 4B)
  • • Federal LE Tactical #1 buckshot (LE132 1B)
  • • Federal Vital-Shok 00 buckshot (PFC154 00)
  • • Federal Power-Shok 1 ¼ ounce Rifled Slug (F131RS)
  • • Hevi-Shot Hevi Metal #2 birdshot (30002)
  • • Hevi-Shot Dead Coyote T shot (43030)
  • • Hornady Varmint Express #4 buckshot (86243)
  • • Kent Fasteel #2 birdshot (K123ST40-2)
  • • Spectra Shot #2 birdshot (Blue)
  • • Winchester Super Speed XTRA #7.5 birdshot (WHS127)
  • • Winchester Universal #8 birdshot (U128)
  • • Winchester Super-X #4 buckshot (XB124)
  • • Winchester Super-X #1 buckshot (XB1231)
  • • Winchester Super-X #1 buckshot (XB121)
  • • Winchester Super-X 00 buckshot (XB1200)

Summary of Findings

Suitability for Self-defense:

  • ⇒ Shot sizes smaller than #4 buckshot are poor choices for self-defense.
  • ⇒ #4 buckshot is acceptable for self-defense if the pellets maintain a round shape but this depends heavily upon the buffering features of the shotshell and the hardness of the pellets themselves

Buckshot terminal performance at 0-100 yard distance: Maximum Effective Range of Buckshot

Impact velocities used in this report were obtained from an Oehler System 85 using no velocity corrections. All ballistic gelatin blocks used in this evaluation were nominal 10% ballistic gelatin blocks calibrated in accordance with FBI RFP-OSCU-DSU1401 as follows (FBI RFP-OSCU-DSU1401, page 95, 2014):

"Prior to the utilization of any block of gelatin, validation of the block will be tested to assure consistency of the gelatin mixture. This test consists of firing a .177 caliber steel sphere (BB) into the gelatin block at 590 feet per second (fps) +/- 15 fps. This sphere must penetrate a minimum of 2.95 inches (75mm) but no more than 3.74 inches (95mm)".

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