Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 19:57:25 -0400
From: “John R Dykers”
Subject: Shotgun pellets and body piercing
One of the great advantages of shotguns is that they have a very limited range. 00 buckshot, the biggest pellets, 75 yards, maybe, and velocity well spent by then. #8 birdshot spreads wide enough at 20 yards to kill a quail but velocity and momentum dissipate and they quickly fall to the ground.
But with a full choke on the barrel, they make excellent protectors for you and your family at short range for either 2 or 4 legged predators. Just be sure you see what you shoot at and intend to kill it.
On the other hand, a little 22 rifle will carry over a mile and do deadly damage to whatever it hits, intended or not. DON’T fire into the air! The bullet comes back down nearly as forcefully as when it leaves your barrel, and you have no idea where it will land.
John Dykers