12 Gauge: The Most Versatile Cartridge In Existence?

This video tests the performance of a "kitchen sink" 12-gauge shotgun shell, which contains a mix of buckshot, slugs, and birdshot. The "kitchen sink" shell was tested against a water jug and ballistic gelatin to demonstrate its explosive impact and penetration depth. Pattern testing on paper showed a tight grouping of buckshot and slug with birdshot spreading around the impact zone.

This video provides an expert-level overview of various 12-gauge shotgun ammunition types, demonstrating their characteristics and effects, particularly when fired from a suppressed Mossberg 590. The instructor, with clear expertise, explains the differences in recoil, stopping power, and projectile types, ranging from standard buckshot and slugs to exotic and less-lethal loads. It's a practical guide for understanding ammunition diversity in a hypothetical survival scenario.

This guide details the operation of the M26 shotgun's reversible charging handle, folding bolt, and manual safety. It covers how to cycle the action, chamber rounds, and engage/disengage the safety. The video emphasizes the reversible nature of the charging handle for ambidextrous use and notes the folding bolt handle's convenience. Proper safety procedures are implicitly highlighted through the demonstration of manual controls.

This video provides an expert-level comparison of 12 gauge, 20 gauge, and 410 bore shotguns for home defense. It details the advantages and disadvantages of each caliber, focusing on stopping power, recoil, ammunition capacity, and overpenetration risks. The instructor emphasizes critical factors like shot placement, the necessity of weapon-mounted lights, and comprehensive training for effective home defense.

This video, featuring TheYankeeMarshal, debunks the myth that birdshot is ineffective or too dangerous for home defense. The instructor explains that at close range, birdshot retains significant energy and can cause lethal damage, contrary to popular belief. He emphasizes that using birdshot for home defense to avoid harming bystanders is a dangerous misconception, as it can still be deadly.

This video demonstrates the 'Tap Rack' immediate action drill for clearing common pistol malfunctions. The instructor emphasizes that regardless of the specific malfunction, the tap, rack, and get back in the fight procedure should be the immediate response to a failure to fire. This technique relies on muscle memory to quickly resolve issues and return to a ready state.

This video provides an expert-level comparison between the .44 Magnum and .50 Action Express calibers, featuring a Magnum Research Desert Eagle and a Ruger Super Redhawk. The host, demonstrating high authority, conducts a series of tests including penetration through lumber, steel, sand, and concrete, followed by ballistic gel testing with hollow-point rounds. The analysis highlights differences in muzzle energy, penetration, and wound channel, ultimately questioning the cost-to-performance ratio of the .50 AE.

This video provides an in-depth, experimental comparison between .223 Remington and 5.56x45mm NATO cartridges, utilizing a chronograph and various barrier materials. The host, demonstrating high expertise through empirical testing, reveals significant performance differences, particularly in barrier penetration, with 5.56x45mm NATO generally outperforming .223 Remington.

This video from Banana Ballistics explores the surprising lethality of "less lethal" shotgun ammunition. Through rigorous testing with ballistic gel and plywood, the host demonstrates that rounds like bean bags and high-velocity .410 rubber buckshot can cause significant damage, challenging the common perception of these rounds as entirely non-lethal. The testing highlights the importance of understanding ammunition performance beyond its intended classification.

This video provides an objective comparison of 9mm Luger, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP calibers through a series of rigorous tests including lumber, sand, concrete, and ballistics gel. The host, leveraging specialized equipment like a Garmin Xero C1 Pro chronograph and digital calipers, presents data on velocity, penetration, and expansion. While .40 S&W showed competitive performance in some tests, the analysis concludes with a preference for 9mm due to its higher capacity and lower recoil, highlighting the importance of practical considerations beyond raw ballistics.