Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watnot!watmath!clyde!rutgers!ames!ucbcad!ucbvax!jade!jkh
From: jkh@jade.UUCP
Newsgroups: mod.rec.guns
Subject: Re: handgun advice solicited
Message-ID: <2879@jade.BERKELEY.EDU>
Date: Fri, 20-Mar-87 20:53:56 EST
Article-I.D.: jade.2879
Posted: Fri Mar 20 20:53:56 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 22-Mar-87 15:22:36 EST
Organization: U.C. Berkeley
Lines: 12
Approved: jkh@ucbjade
Author: sdcsvax!hp-sdd!hplabs!cae780!ubvax!frank@ucbvax.berkeley.edu (Frank Warren)
Article: 3:23

In-Reply-To: <2597@jade.BERKELEY.EDU>

I disagree with the advice to use such small shot.  Even at close ranges
#8 would most likely produce mayhem but not lethal force.  #4 buck is as
large as I would go but I would think very hard before using anything
smaller than BB.  A 12 gauge generally has muzzle energy comparable to
a 30-06 but you can spread it too fine.  Very small shot dissipates all
of its energy in barely 2-3 inches of penetration -- fine for birds, and
less than half of what is needed, according to study, for a stopping-grade
hit.  It is definitely not enough for someone high enough on drugs or
adrenalin or psychosis to attack a man holding a shotgun.  The truth
probably lies somewhere between #4 buck and BBs.