How Far Will a 12 Gauge Shotgun Kill?

Published on July 12, 2016
Duration: 31:31

This experiment tests the lethal range of a 12-gauge shotgun with various loads. Slugs remain effective and penetrating up to 400 yards, though accuracy becomes challenging with significant drop. Buckshot becomes ineffective beyond 100 yards due to pattern spread, with only a few pellets hitting and penetrating at that distance. Birdshot is lethal at extremely close range before pattern dispersion but ineffective beyond that.

Quick Summary

1oz slugs can remain effective and penetrate targets even at 400 yards, though accuracy is significantly reduced due to extreme bullet drop. Buckshot becomes largely ineffective beyond 100 yards due to pattern spread, with only a few pellets hitting and penetrating.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Testing 12 Gauge Lethal Range
  2. 00:5515-Yard Baseline: Birdshot, Buckshot, Slugs
  3. 03:24Point-Blank Birdshot Performance
  4. 04:5450-Yard Buckshot Comparison
  5. 07:36100-Yard Test: Slugs vs. Buckshot
  6. 11:38200-Yard Lethality Limits
  7. 13:38300-Yard Slug Trajectory and Penetration
  8. 16:13400-Yard Extreme Range Slug Test

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the effective lethal range of a 12-gauge shotgun with slugs?

1oz slugs can remain effective and penetrate targets even at 400 yards, though accuracy is significantly reduced due to extreme bullet drop. Penetration is still substantial at this distance.

How far does buckshot remain effective from a 12-gauge shotgun?

Buckshot becomes largely ineffective beyond 100 yards. At this distance, patterns spread significantly (over 6 feet), with only a few pellets hitting and penetrating the target.

Is birdshot lethal from a 12-gauge shotgun?

Yes, birdshot is lethal at extremely close ranges (point-blank) before the shot pattern disperses. At longer distances, its effectiveness diminishes rapidly due to pattern spread.

What factors affect shotgun performance at long range?

At long ranges, factors like ammunition type (slugs vs. buckshot), pattern spread for buckshot, bullet drop for slugs, and projectile stability (like keyholing) significantly impact effectiveness and accuracy.

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