Shotgun Defense Choices: We Pick Two Fiocchi Loads

Shotgun Defense Choices: We Pick Two Fiocchi Loads Fiocchi s soft-shooting buckshot load was easy to handle and offered devastating patterns along with a super-low price. The slug had plenty of penetration, good accuracy and a low price. I n this installment of our continuing tests of personaldefense loadings, we had to don our thinking caps. Shotgun shells are far different in performance than a handgun cartridge or rifle round. The standards are different as there is no X ring or group to measure. The density of the pattern is the primary consideration. Measuring the effectiveness of buckshot is simple as regards measuring a pattern, but a buck-and-ball load would be another matter. Slugs are another area of concern. Recoil is an important consideration as well. In the past, the primary problem with shotguns for personal defense was recoil. Even big burly police officers reached their limit quickly with full-power buckshot loads. The solution for many was to engage in tactical training with birdshot loads and deploy buckshot for duty after a modest familiarization. This was not the ideal program. Then came the reduced-recoil buckshot loads. By reducing the payload from nine to eight buckshot balls (in some cases) and reducing velocity by several hundred feet per second, a buckshot load that was both effective and controllable was invented. These loads are controllable, and as a bonus, usually produce a dense and effective pattern at close range. They are intended for use at ranges inside 15 yards. The full-power or even stronger Magnum shotgun shell loads are intended for tackling deer-size game out to 50 yards or so a very different scenario than home defense. The homeowner in search of an effective shotgun load for his personal-defense shotgun does not need this type of power. They need a load that is about as powerful at 7 yards as the Magnum loads are at 50 yards. Citizens are better served with a dense pattern and moderate velocity at close range. Public safety is served with less penetration. A relatively dense pattern is desirable for effect on the target. However, there are trainers who tell us that the greatest advantage of the shotgun is seen at about 15 yards. At this range the pattern has spread to the point that you are more likely to get a hit without a perfect sight picture. If five or six of the pellets strike the target, you will probably have a stopping shot. Experienced trainers commonly refer to the different viable shotgun ranges as A, B, and C range. A range is the distance at which the shotgun must be aimed as carefully as a rifle. B range is the range at which the shotgun s spread 16 Our raters included this young soldier we drafted in between active-duty tours. She preferred the Federal reducedrecoil PD loads shown in the target silhouette. However, our entire test team preferred two wellperforming and affordable loads from Fiocchi. Top is the Fiocchi Reduced Recoil Ammunition 12 Gauge 2.75-In. 00 Buckshot, only $6.29 for a box of 10 at www.midwayusa. com (#482134). Middle is the Fiocchi Low Recoil 1-oz. Exacta Aero Slug No. 12LRSL, also affordable at $7.95 per 10 shells. Bottom: The Fiocchi slug was the first tested. We got wet shooting it into water jugs. It was a real eyeopener that provided impressive results. gun tests/november 2011 1111GT4 Shotgun Loads p16-22.indd 16

BUCKSHOT & COMBO LOADS PERFORMANCE DATA Velocity Muzzle Energy Pattern Size @ 7 yards Hornady Critical Defense 00 Buckshot 86240 1448 fps 1973 ft.-lbs. 2.75 x 2.5 in. Winchester Super-X Buffered 00 Buckshot XB1200 1275 fps 1721 ft.-lbs. 6.75 x 5.5 in. Winchester Supreme Self Defense 00/Slug S12PDX1 1140 fps 1719 ft.-lbs. 4 x 6 in. Winchester WinLite Low Recoil 00 Buckshot WL1200 1090 fps 1258 ft.-lbs. 2.5 x 7 in. Federal PD Reduced Recoil 00 Buckshot PD13200 1126 fps 1342 ft.-lbs. 4 x 3.5 in. Fiocchi Reduced Recoil 00 Buckshot 12LE00BK 1080 fps 1235 ft.-lbs. 2. 5 x 5 in. Notes: Energy was calculated with total payloads of 424 grains for eight balls, 477 grains for nine balls. The 1-ounce slug weighed 437 grains. Penetration with all buckshot loads was virtually the same, 24 to 28 inches in water-filled jugs. The utmost care must be taken in this type of test. You have to be close and you will get wet. Some of the buckshot will travel out the side of the jugs, which means you have to use a range with berms on three sides, which we did. The buckshot balls were found in the last jugs and measured, usually two to three of the loads were found in the last jug. The first two jugs in line were usually blown open. It is possible actual weights of the payloads could vary due to inconsistency in the lead balls, but they seemed consistent. Also, we decided there was no point in measuring recovered weights of the projectiles. The balls did not flatten during our tests, but some had dents of various sizes in them. There was apparently no weight loss during travel through the water. is most profitable. C range is the range at which the pattern is so broad it is no longer useful. C range is usually 20 yards with an open choke shotgun. C range is slug range. There was some discussion concerning the selection of the loads to be tested. We left much of the testing to the primary rater by dint of his extensive law enforcement experience. We noted that while these loads are reduced-recoil and lower velocity than full-power buckshot loads, they are no lightweights. These loads produce respectable power. We tested one full-power buckshot load, as an example, and the total package gave an energy count lower than some of the personal defense loads tested. Even the least powerful 12-gauge load tested exhibited about 1200 pounds of energy. This is about three times the energy of the standard handgun loads we have tested. No wonder the shotgun has such a reputation for effect! The raters agree that the 12 gauge is by far the superior option. No other gauge offers the versatility and effect of the 12 gauge. The test team leader remarked that buckshot is misunderstood. The pattern has advantages in more than one dimension. Few shooters realize that buckshot travels in a string. We see only one dimension in the target. As an example, if the target is moving, part of the string may miss, but the target may run right into the latter part of the string. It takes a lot of shooting to get a good handle on buckshot performance. Once you do, you will have a great respect for the performance of buckshot. You will also understand the limitations of range. We included one Law Enforcement Only load for comparison and really had only a few shells on hand. As far as the LE-only loads, most are available through one distributor or the other or at gun shows. When Right: This is a typical buckshot pattern at the common defense range of 7 yards. It was fired from a shotgun with Cylinder choke. Below right: The buckshot tended to dent when penetrating water jugs, but they did not lose any weight. These buckshot all performed in a similar fashion, whether plated or unplated, nickel-plated or copper-plated. Below: One of our test guns was the H&R riot gun, which along with the 870, offeredgood function. Gun-Tests.com 17 1111GT4 Shotgun Loads p16-22.indd 17

comparing LEO loads to standard fare, our conclusion was that there is no need to haunt the gun shows and pay through the nose for LEO shotgun shells. The readily available personal defense loads do at least as good a job, as you will see in the comparison tables. Some may even be the same load under a different label. The test shotguns were three Remington 870 shotguns and one H & R Pardner-type defensive shotgun, basically a copy of the 870 with a humpback. The barrels were 18 inches long with rifle sights and open choke. While shotguns are often individualistic with patterning, there wasn t a nickel s worth of difference between these, as our raters noted. We fired the shells and rated the apparent recoil of each. We noted whether they struck to the point of aim and noted if the pattern was centered on the front post or front bead. Recoil was treated subjectively. Since these loads are designed to be used by anyone interested in personal defense, we enlisted two interested shooters. These fine young women were invaluable raters. One is a Criminal Justice Major and the other is a young soldier. Their perspective on the differences in recoil was keener than those of battered old cops that have fired a few thousand 12 gauge shells in their day. We fired the shotguns at 7 yards, the generally-agreed upon range that personal-defense engagement most often occurs. The old rule that a pattern spreads 1 inch per yard is probably applicable to these loads. Just the same, a 21-foot gun battle inside the home would be rare. Most battles would be closer. The 7-yard distance was chosen to give a good impression of the pattern to be expected. Here s how our load selections performed. Hornady Critical Defense Ammunition 12 Gauge 2.75-In. 00 Buckshot No. 86240, $11.79/10 (Midway #151704) This had a payload of eight buckshot balls and was the most powerful loading tested by a slight margin (11 foot-pounds of energy over the Winchester PDX load). Its Versa Flite wad is designed to trap air in a special section of the wad and rip the wad away in the air and deliver an effective pattern. This is exactly what happened. The load dispersion at 7 yards averaged 2.75 by 2.5 inches during the testing. This is a good, tight pattern and the tightest demonstrated. Our raters with LEO and deer-hunting experience were favorably impressed with the Hornady loading. Despite the 300-fps advantage in velocity over other loadings, the Hornady load was not rated as a hard kicker. The pattern struck the point of aim, and, interestingly, the wad struck the paper at 7 yards, usually about 6 inches from the main pattern and to the right. The Hornady load is designed to be reliable in modern automatic shotguns such as the Benelli, the 18 gun tests/november 2011 FN patrol shotgun, and other types. Our Team Said: The Hornady Critical Defense load is rated a top performer on several counts. First, performance was excellent. The tight pattern delivers the load s energy in a finite area. Second, the price for ten shells was reasonable. And if you use a self-loader that demands full-power energy for function, there is no other choice. Winchester Super-X 12 Gauge 2.75-In. Buffered 00 Buckshot No. XB1200, $4.99/5 (Midway #337006) This is a traditional 9-ball full-power loading that was included for comparison. The Super X has an advantage in price because these shells are affordable, if not as high-tech as the Personal Defense loads. The Super X exhibited the greatest recoil, typical of full-power buckshot loadings. This is the reason the loads were developed. The pattern was wide at 6.75 by 5.5 inches. In our experience these full-power loads do much better in tighter chokes than the PD loads. Our Team Said: While we prefer the purpose-designed PD loads, bad guys would be well advised to stay out of the way of the Super X loading. Winchester Supreme Elite Self Defense Ammunition 12 Gauge 2.75-In. Bonded PDX1 S12PDX1, $14.49/10 (Midway #932564) Here is a load with almost a ton of energy. In addition to the three pellets of Grexbuffered 00-buck copper-plated pellets (0.5-ounce total for all three), this load also features a 1-ounce rifled slug loaded in black hulls with a blackoxide high base. There are three wads protecting the shot column and ensuring efficiency. These include a quarter-inch hard-plastic wad over the powder charge, a 5/16-inch cushioning wad next, and a harder 3/16-inch wad. While the wads have a ballistic purpose, they also pattern on the target along with the payload up to about 5 yards or so. For those who prefer a slug but like to have the backup hit probability of buckshot, this is a winner. It is similar in purpose to the old buck-and-ball loads used in blackpowder rifles as late as the War Between the States. A lead ball and smaller buckshot was used in smoothbore muskets. The theory was you would surely hit something at short range, but on the other hand, if you needed a long shot, the heaviest ball would carry the distance. The modern Winchester load offered interesting performance. The slug and two of the balls usually were dispersed by 4 inches horizontally 1111GT4 Shotgun Loads p16-22.indd 18

The Winchester Supreme Elite Self Defense Bonded PDX1 S12PDX1 had both a slug and three buckshot, making for a enormous payload. One tester cheekily commented that it s the hands-down choice for the shooter who can t make up his mind. Our testers gave it an A grade in both groups. The Winchester PDX cut interesting holes in the target s head one slug and three buckshot makes for a lot of air going in and blood going out. The PDX, like many other loads, featured multiple impacts, with not only the payload but also the wad (arrows mark wad impacts) striking the silo target s center mass inside 12 feet. but only an inch vertically. So, the pattern was 4 inches wide by 1 inch high for three projectiles. The third ball brought the measurement to 4 inches wide by 6 inches high, still perfectly acceptable and very consistent. Our Team Said: While the number of projectiles was the least of any load, the total weight was the greatest with the 1-ounce slug included. Striking to the point of aim, this load is consistent. The PDX load will be effective at short range, while the slug would be effective to 50 yards or more without attempting to change the load for a long-range shot. That is versatility. A winner on innovation, the PDX is pricier than the other loads but much more difficult to produce considering the multiple projectiles and special wadding. As such, the price is reasonable, we believe. Winchester WinLite Low Recoil Ammunition 12 Gauge 2.75-In. 00 Buckshot WL1200, $4.99/5 (Midway 620922) Winchester s WinLite offering is simply a reducedrecoil loading. This ninebuckshot load predates the buck-and-ball load. For personal defense in the home and general chores, the WinLite works just fine. The WinLite is about half the price of the Winchester PDX load. Our Team Said: If the WinLite is a completely effective load, why bother with the heavier PDX? Sometimes we like greater energy and power, and the PDX has it. But our shooters said that WinLite offered the lightest recoil of any load and acceptable performance. Federal Premium Personal Defense Ammunition 12 Gauge 2.75-In. Reduced Recoil 00 Buckshot No. PD13200 $5.49/5 (Midway 121561) Offered in a five-round box, the Federal personal defense load is a simple solution to the problem of wielding a shotgun effectively. The buckshot pellets are copper plated and are loaded nine to the shell. Here is what the Federal load has going for it among the lowest subjective recoil of any load tested. One rater asked, Are you sure we are getting the advertised horsepower? The Chrony confirmed we were getting the full 1126 fps. The pattern was more than acceptable at 4 by 3.5 inches We included the famous Federal law-enforcement eight-shot reduced-recoil loading primarily as a reference load, wondering if the PD was simply the LE under a different logo. Perhaps it is. A handful of the LE shells were supplied by one of our cop friends. The LE ran slightly faster than the PD load, likely a function of having one fewer shot in the payload, but it could also mean that it was simply put up in a different lot. The LE pattern was marginally larger than the PD loading, which may mean little. Our Team Said: The Federal PD load burns cleanly and offers a low-recoil solution for homeowners. It is certainly enough for the job, and the lower recoil of the load gives every advantage in rapid backup shots. All in, our raters said the Federal LE shell was a good load, but it was not something worth traveling to the gunshow and paying top dollar to obtain. Fiocchi Reduced Recoil Ammunition 12 Gauge 2.75-In. 00 Buckshot No. 12LE00BK, $6.29/10 (Midway #482134) These nine-pellet loads are a relatively new addition to the Fiocchi line; at least we have not been previously aware of them. The Fiocchi load demonstrated a clean powder burn and low subjective recoil, as may be expected from a load generating a modest 1090 fps. This load has a lot going for it. First, the buckshot is plated. Some like plated shot; some do not, but the difference in recovered pellets and in penetration was not a consideration. The pattern was tight enough for a solid recommendation. As an experiment, we fired the Fiocchi load at 10 feet and measured a 2 by 3-inch pattern there is still dispersion even at this close range. Our Team Said: Plated shot doesn t seem to offer any practical advantage, but here it is at a great price. And the price point is important. The Fiocchi load is a certified Best Buy. After some research, we found the load for even less at Cheaper Than Dirt Gun-Tests.com 19 1111GT4 Shotgun Loads p16-22.indd 19

($5.39/10). That is the same price as five rounds from other makers. That is real economy with quality thrown in. GUN TESTS REPORT CARD SUMMARY Fiocchi Reduced Recoil 12 Ga. 2.75-In. 00 Buckshot No. 12LE00BK, $6.29/10 (BEST BUY) Hornady Critical Defense 12 Ga. 2.75-In. 00 Buckshot No. 86240, $11.79/10 Winchester Supreme Elite Self Defense 12 Ga. 2.75-In. Bonded PDX1 S12PDX1, $14.49/10 Winchester WinLite Low Recoil 12 Gauge 2.75-In. 00 Buckshot WL1200, $4.99/5 Federal Premium Personal Defense 12 Gauge 2.75-In. Reduced Recoil 00 Buckshot No. PD13200 $5.49/5 Winchester Super-X 12 Gauge 2.75-In. Buffered 00 Buckshot No. XB1200, $4.99/5 GUN TESTS GRADE: C a pretty large piece of lead or two. This is impressive. The new reduced-recoil slugs penetrated more and did not expand at all. The reduced-recoil slugs simply had crossed under the threshold of expansion of the old-style slugs. The new type of slugs fragment and expand in water. While they are still slower and strike lower at long range, they are more effective than ever for personal defense. We also noted the new reduced-recoil slugs were more difficult to hit with at 50 yards than similar hunting slugs. While 50-yard hits are not the common police or civilian-defense problem, they are a consideration in area defense. If you are going to deploy a slug, you want a good one capable of long-range accuracy. Here s how a selection of defense slug loads performed in our tests. Fiocchi Low Recoil 12 Gauge 2.75-In. 1-oz. Exacta Aero Slug No. 12LRSL, $7.95/10 (AmmunitionToGo.com) The Fiocchi slug moves at a modest 1060 fps. That is a lot of power for a 1-ounce slug with a broad flat nose. This aspect alone would indicate the potential for a stopping shot with a single round. The performance of this slug in water was extraordinary. The slug tore itself apart. Firing a 12-gauge slug into a line of water jugs at short range is a drenching experience. Water went everywhere, and the jugs were torn to pieces up to the Many experienced personal-defense trainers prefer slugs to buckshot. Many of them are experienced peace officers who have studied the effects and advantages of both loads. We tested the PDX combo load above, and most felt that this was a load for those who preferred buckshot but wished to hedge their bet. Those who preferred slugs did not wish to hedge the bet with buckshot, an interesting observation. Very experienced shooters noted that in a worst-case scenario such as a takeover home invasion or robbery they felt confident in placing a slug exactly where it needed to go. If a homeowner has to take a shot over the kid s heads or if someone is holding a knife to the spouse, buckshot is not the preferred payload. While much of this is theoretical, these situations do happen, and there are many advantages to the slug. Along the way, one of our raters was forced to eat his words, but the new diet was a good one. A decade or so ago when reduced-recoil loads were first introduced, this rater conducted extensive testing. He found that by all reliable accounts of police shootings, the old-style Forster slug usually stayed in the body. The high-velocity slug actually expanded and usually trailed 20 gun tests/november 2011 This young criminal justice major found the 870 shotgun offered plenty of recoil, but she was also impressed by the effect on the target. 1111GT4 Shotgun Loads p16-22.indd 20

fourth in line. The average penetration of the Fiocchi slug was 26 inches. The slug was recovered as one lone large piece. The missing parts were airborne, presumably blown out of the previous jugs. While energy was not at the level of the strongest loads tested, energy transfer was complete. Our Team Said: Whether you believe in energy transfer or the more verifiable actual damage, this load has both. Plus, the price for ten rounds is affordable. Winchester Supreme Elite Self Defense Ammunition 12 Gauge 2.75-In. Bonded PDX1 S12PDX1, $14.49/10 (Midway #932564) We retested the PDX against other slugs for penetration. As predicted, the buckshot stopped around 24 inches. The PDX slug, however, retained its integrity and did not fragment in traveling through 26 inches of water on average, neatly nailing four jugs and traveling to come to rest in the first one third of the fifth jug. Retained weight was the greatest of the recovered slugs at 410 grains. Our Team Said: We took this load seriously as a contender for the best slug load with the buckshot as a bonus. The final decision rests upon whether you want the additional payload and the dispersion it brings to the load, or if you prefer the precision of just the slug. Winchester Ammo WinLite 12 Gauge 2.75-In. 1-oz. Slug No. WINWL12RS, $4.90/5 (Brownells #105-202-849) This is another option from the WinLite line. This was the singlemost accurate slug tested. It s a chore to shoot a bench-rested shotgun for 25-yard accuracy testing, and the lighter recoil of the reduced recoil loads was appreciated. The performance of this slug was very similar to that of the Federal and the Fiocchi number. Overall, there is little to choose from between these three loads. Our Team Said: The retained weight of the Winchester load was The Wolf slug was pretty interesting. The button nose was all we found. With only 12 inches of penetration, the Wolf shed its energy quickly. the greatest at 410 grains, and the accuracy advantage may push it to the top of the totem pole in this test. Wolf Power Ammunition 12 Gauge 2.75-In. 1-oz. Rifled Slug No. 12SLUG, $5.09/5 (Midway #259879) This load was tested with two views in mind. First, it is a full-power load, and we wished to compare a fullpower 1345 fps loading to the 1160 fps reduced-recoil loads. It is inexpensive for five rounds and available in bulk (250 rounds, $182). The performance of the Wolf load, however, was far out of the norm when compared to the others. The performance called for us to use an inordinate amount of resources to check and double check our findings. The slug fragmented in water jugs. The average recovered weight of the button nose we found in the second jug was 110 grains. The Wolf slug blew apart two jugs, 12 inches of water, and proceeded no further. One of the ten slugs we fired during the test penetrated the third jug in line for 14 inches, but the others averaged 12 inches with the jugs blown apart and the nose laying in the second jug. When a slug fragments, the rest of the slug is in the target somewhere, and this is true of all of the slugs. Our Team Said: This is the most likely of the tested slugs to stay in the body. The Wolf slug is very interesting and would be a solid choice for those that must limit penetration. Despite its full power, this slug is not that difficult to control, although in long SLUG LOADS PERFORMANCE DATA Velocity Energy Accuracy Penetration Retained Weight Fiocchi LowRecoil 1-oz. Exacta Aero Slug 1060 fps 1090 ft.-lbs. 2.8 in. 24 in. 310 gr. Winchester WinLite 1-oz. Slug WINWL12RS 1070 fps 1110 ft.-lbs. 2.25 in. 26 in. 410 gr. Winchester Supreme 00 Shot/Slug PDX 1140 fps 1719 ft.-lbs. 2.75 in. 26 in. 430 gr. Wolf Power Slug 12SLUG 1345 fps 1755 ft.-lbs. 3.5 in. 12 in. 110 gr. Winchester Supreme 300-gr. Sabot SXP12 2050 fps 2798 ft.-lbs. 2.5 in. 36 in. 300 gr. Average of three shells fired at 10 feet over the skyscreens of a Competition Electronics chronograph for velocity testing. Three-shot groups fired from a benchrest at 25 yards for accuracy testing. Average temperature, 96 degrees. Gun-Tests.com 21 1111GT4 Shotgun Loads p16-22.indd 21

Gun Tests THE CONSUMER RESOURCE FOR THE SERIOUS SHOOTER 1. To Change Your Address If you are moving, please attach your present mailing label to this form, and enter your new address here: Name The Winchester Supreme Elite 12 Gauge SXP12 load fired a 300-grain sabot, shown as it was recovered from our water jugs. The sabot did not expand at all, while conventional slug expanded well. Company Street City State Zip 2. To Order/Renew To order, or extend your current subscription, enter your name and address above, and check the subscription term you prefer: These rates are good in U.S. and Canada only. For all other countries: 1 year $72 (air), 2 years $144 (air). 3.To Give a Gift Subscription Enter your name and address above and your giftee s name and address below. The subscription rates stated above apply to gifts. Name Street City State One year: $49 Two years: $98 New subscriber Renewal Send a One-Year Gift Send a Two-Year Gift Zip Return this coupon (or a photocopy) to: GUN TESTS P.O. Box 8535 Big Sandy, TX 75755-8535 firing strings it may become tiring. However, this slug was the least accurate tested. Winchester Supreme Elite 12 Gauge 2.75-In. 300-Grain XP3 Sabot Slug Lead-Free No.SXP12, $15.29/5 (Midway #558944) This is another full-power load and would be at its best in a slug barrel. We tested this as a comparison load. We figured there may be some promise in a high-velocity sabot load for use at moderate range. However, there were a number of factors that played against this load. First, recoil was stout, the greatest of any load tested. This may be expected of a load that generates some 2050 fps. This is squarely in standard 45-70 Govt. territory. There was no expansion, and the 300-grain sabot penetrated six jugs for 36 inches of penetration and was found on the ground past the table during the first test. Further testing qualified this penetration. Our Team Said: The penetration exhibited is the single greatest of any slug load. Accuracy is good. Recoil is brutal in a personal-defense shotgun with a short barrel. The Winchester Sabot was way out of its territory when we tested it in the personal defense genre, far too powerful. However, the Winchester Sabot load is certainly worth your while to consider if the scenario includes animal defense. GUN TESTS REPORT CARD SUMMARY Fiocchi Low Recoil 12 Gauge 2.75-In. 1-oz. Exacta Aero Slug No. 12LRSL, $7.95/10 (BEST BUY) Winchester Ammo WinLite 12 Gauge 2.75-In. 1-oz. Slug No. WINWL12RS, $4.90/5 Winchester Supreme Elite Self Defense 12 Gauge 2.75-In. Bonded PDX1 No. S12PDX1, $14.49/10 Wolf Power Ammunition 12 Gauge 2.75-In. 1-oz. Rifled Slug No. 12SLUG, $5.09/5 Winchester Supreme Elite 12 Gauge 2.75-In. 300-Grain XP3 Sabot Slug Lead-Free No.SXP12, $15.29/5 Written and photographed by R.K. Campbell, using evaluations from GUN TESTS team testers. gt 22 gun tests/november 2011 1111GT4 Shotgun Loads p16-22.indd 22