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Can anyone point me to an authoritative source that shows the maximum effective range and absolute maximum range (no wind) of shotguns with various size shot. The part I need is for a 12 Ga. with a full choke. I can't use anecdotal information, it has to be a recognized authority that will carry some weight with non-gun people.

Thanks,
Chas.

Charles -
You might want to check with SAAMI. If they can't give you the data, they could probably point you in the right direction, http://www.saami.org/Technical.cfm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Email Sent.

The only official information I can find defines only initial pressure and velocities.

I was working on the layout and design of a proposed skeet range for our local range a couple of years ago and found it somewhat difficult to obtain qualified/quantified data. I suppose that is due to so many different chamberings, barrel lengths, etc., the same as with rifles. The one thing I did come out of my research with was the "300 yard shot drop area" for #6 and smaller shot for range design. I'm curious now about magnum 00 buckshot out of a 28" barrel. Lot's of variables.

Shotgunning: The Art and the Science by Bob Brister has this information in Chapter 12.

A 12-gauge with heavy shot and a full choke is effective to about 60 yards.

There isn't one concise table. The information is spread throughout the chapter, including some photos.

http://books.google.com/books?id=WK-Xpf ... &ct=result" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The 300-yard limit for skeet ranges is a rule of thumb that takes into account the possibility of #8 and 9 shot being boosted by the wind. The shot has little energy at that range.

- Jim

This chart may provide some of the information that you're looking for:

http://www.hunter-ed.com/in/course/ch2_ ... _range.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In case the link doesn't take you directly to the chart is is in Chapter 2 in the sidebar on the right under the "Range of a Firearm." Hope this helps!

Some more reading:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.wildfowlmag.com/tips_strateg ... un_062304/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ryan

KFP wrote:
This chart may provide some of the information that you're looking for:

http://www.hunter-ed.com/in/course/ch2_" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... _range.htm

In case the link doesn't take you directly to the chart is is in Chapter 2 in the sidebar on the right under the "Range of a Firearm." Hope this helps!

Those charts indicate maximum range, not effective range. They show the maximum distance the rounds can travel, given optimum trajectory. The ~2700 ft indicated for 00 Buck means the pellets can potentially travel that far, but their effective range (where it can be predictably used against a target with sufficient ballistic energy to penetrate the vitals of said target) is quite a bit shorter.

Correct, that was why I indicated that it was some of the information. Chas requested maximum range of the round, in addition to the maximum effective range.

AggieMM wrote:Some more reading:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.wildfowlmag.com/tips_strateg ... un_062304/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ryan

Unfortunately, the latter link has only figures for bird shot (and mainly steel, at that). Being from a waterfowl site, that is to be expected. I think Chas is asking in context of defensive shooting with buckshot (with a full choke, slugs aren't an option).

KFP wrote:Correct, that was why I indicated that it was some of the information. Chas requested maximum range of the round, in addition to the maximum effective range.

Ah, yeah. I somehow missed that part.

I stand corrected.

NcongruNt wrote:

KFP wrote:Correct, that was why I indicated that it was some of the information. Chas requested maximum range of the round, in addition to the maximum effective range.

Ah, yeah. I somehow missed that part.

I stand corrected.

Sorry, after reading over my post again, I realize that I may have come off abrasively - not my intention at all.

KFP wrote:

NcongruNt wrote:

KFP wrote:Correct, that was why I indicated that it was some of the information. Chas requested maximum range of the round, in addition to the maximum effective range.

Ah, yeah. I somehow missed that part.

I stand corrected.

Sorry, after reading over my post again, I realize that I may have come off abrasively - not my intention at all.

No need to apologize. I don't take correction here as an offensive act.

Now I'm off to search for effective range data.

Here's another book found on google that specifically studies gunshot wounds.

Gunshot Wounds by Vincent J. M. Di Maio

Here is a direct link to the shotgun section:

http://books.google.com/books?id=VbrDbb ... #PPA229,M1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It looks quite extensive.

NcongruNt wrote:Here's another book found on google that specifically studies gunshot wounds.

Gunshot Wounds by Vincent J. M. Di Maio

Here is a direct link to the shotgun section:

http://books.google.com/books?id=VbrDbb ... #PPA229,M1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It looks quite extensive.

Chas-

I have a copy of Di Maio's book at my desk if you would like to peek at it. Just let me know.

Jason