Minishells noise level? For HD situations.

[BillSmith]

For those that asked, Dickinson, marine (I like stainless) tactical from Big 5. So cheap, had to pull the trigger. Assume it's made in Turkey, though it hasn't been one. Never a problem until using the minis.

[StuckInTheP.R.O.Ca]

For HD, one might concern themselves with projectile size (shot caliber, not necessarily shotshell caliber) and projectile velocity.

Do minishell ballistics measure up?

My post from another thread about minis:

Aguila mini buckshot has a payload of (7)- 4 buck and (4) - 1 buck at 1200 fps and has 892 ft lbs of energy. Payload weight is 279 grains.

Aguila mini slugs sends a 7/8 oz slug at 1250 fps and has 1222 ft lbs of energy.

Federal mini buckshot has a payload of (15) - 4 buck at 1200 fps and has 991 ft lbs of energy. Payload weight of 310 grains.

Federal mini slugs sends a 1oz slug at 1200 fps and has 1398 ft lbs of energy.



Their ballistics appear to be more than practical for HD and out outclass most handgun an even some rifle calibers.

[BruceR]

I suggest you read the book. It's well documented, there is no loss of hearing no ringing in the ears, no known damage.

It's actually not known how, it's not a function of the brain shutting it off, there's a physiological response in the ear that somehow shuts out the sound and prevents damage.

What's more is the recoil also is perceived as quite muted. On the firing range, I'm very aware of the recoil from my 40S&W. When I had an intruder in the house, I didn't sense the recoil at all -- gone.

[Narutakikun]

Shotguns are relatively quiet for what they are, but still pretty damn loud.

That said, one thing to remember is that tinnitus is a repetitive stress injury. That's why rock stars and roadies end up with it more than soldiers do. Taking a couple of shots in a home defense scenario is going to make your ears ring for a while for sure, but it almost certainly won't really give you tinnitus. You'd need to shoot without earpro hundreds of times to do that.

[200Apples]

StuckInTheP.R.O.Ca

My post from another thread about minis:

Aguila mini buckshot has a payload of (7)- 4 buck and (4) - 1 buck at 1200 fps and has 892 ft lbs of energy. Payload weight is 279 grains.

Aguila mini slugs sends a 7/8 oz slug at 1250 fps and has 1222 ft lbs of energy.

Federal mini buckshot has a payload of (15) - 4 buck at 1200 fps and has 991 ft lbs of energy. Payload weight of 310 grains.

Federal mini slugs sends a 1oz slug at 1200 fps and has 1398 ft lbs of energy.


Their ballistics appear to be more than practical for HD and out outclass most handgun an even some rifle calibers.

Thank you.

[plumbum]

You can get a little gadget for Mossberg pumps that clip into the feed port that improves the feeding.

I wonder if they feed through a IWI Tavor? You can probably fit 20 or 25 shells in that thing.

[newbutold]

Noise be damned when your life is at stake.

Remington 12 Gauge 3-1/2" 00 Buckshot pushing 18 Pellets

[-hanko]

For HD, one might concern themselves with projectile size (shot caliber, not necessarily shotshell caliber) and projectile velocity.

Do minishell ballistics measure up?

Not hardly...read the bold part above.

My post from another thread about minis:

Aguila mini buckshot has a payload of (7)- 4 buck and (4) - 1 buck at 1200 fps and has 892 ft lbs of energy. Payload weight is 279 grains.

Aguila mini slugs sends a 7/8 oz slug at 1250 fps and has 1222 ft lbs of energy.

Federal mini buckshot has a payload of (15) - 4 buck at 1200 fps and has 991 ft lbs of energy. Payload weight of 310 grains.

Federal mini slugs sends a 1oz slug at 1200 fps and has 1398 ft lbs of energy.

Their ballistics appear to be more than practical for HD and out outclass most handgun an even some rifle calibers.

Shotgun pellet energy is measured by the energy of an individual pellet...definitely NOT by the weight of the entire pellet load. The larger the pellet, the more energy. Stupid simple...

If it were measured by the total pellet weight, you'd find the same stopping power with #12's as with 000 buck. Usual interweb recommendation is to shoot something in #4 buck or larger.

Dicking around with mini-shells that may or may not feed may not be what you want.

[-hanko]

These types of conversations come from guys with no defensive shotgun training.

I can't imagine anyone taking a proper 2 day class would consider mini shells in a KSG and care about FPS and noise levels.

If you're in Northern California take a shotgun class from LMS Defense or Gun Craft Solutions.

I cannot imagine anyone with any common sense would consider mini shells in anything.

Nor would they consider a KSG as anything other than a problematic toy.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Regular Low Recoil 00 Buckshot for home use. Will work just fine.

Did you guys know that you can load your own shotshells to any velocity or payload you want?

It Ain't that hard.

I load lots of my own specialty loads like slugs and buckshot. Buckshot is just like loading a regular shot shell except you put buckshot in the hull before you close it. Some slugs work the same way and you can cast those yourself using Lee and Lyman Moulds. Please Note: Shooting Slugs makes your shotgun a .73 caliber rifle! Nothing lives thru a slug!

Any of you guys who already shoot Trap and Skeet and have Shotshell Loaders can simply exchange the shot for Buck or Slugs and have Low Recoil Loads that will do the job and not hurt you any more than the trap loads you shoot hundreds of each time you shoot. 00 buckshot at 1100 fps is still buckshot and at 15 yds or less is going to be just as effective as 00 buckshot at 1600 fps but won't hurt you as much. If it proves to be not as effective, then shoot them again! Which also won't hurt you as much.

Also I recommend going to a Real Tactical Shotgun Class (Front Sight) and learn how to run your gun effectively, and see how the different loads work.

All you need to reload shotshells if you don't already have a machine is a Lee Loader you can get off Ebay. They work well enough to make shootable ammo and if you learn a little more about the subject you can add Roll Crimping to the mix and load perfect rounds.

Lots of info on doing this out there.

Randy

Buck and Slugs


Slugs I make:


My 3 favorite Homemade Slugs:


Store Bought Slugs from BPI:


My CA Legal Non Toxic Slug:


Lots you can do here!

Randy

[TMB 1]

Mini shells work fine in Remington 870 Wingmaster and Special Field, also work fine in Winchester 97 and 93/97 clone, don't work so hot in Mossberg 500 because of type shell lifter it has.

[bigbearbear]

Quieter than a 9mm?

Yes, 9mm is pretty loud compared to the mini-shells.

I think you might be better served with the common 2.75" shells, they are plentiful and good quality ones (e.g. Federal Flightcontrol) do not cost too much either. Better still, you can also find them in loads similar to those used for clay target shooting so the recoil will be similar, and you can practice them easily and cheaply by using your shotgun for clay target shooting.

[Darto]

Paul Harrel has some videos on mini shells Youtube.

[L84CABO]

If you're concerned about hearing damage, keep a pair of electronic muffs on your nightstand. A good set will also help amplify lower level sounds. They only take a second to put on and odds are you will have the time. You can always skip them if you don't.

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

As noted above, Paul Harrell did a couple of videos on Minishells, their effect on shotgun reliability and their terminal ballistic effectiveness. Links: Part 1 Part 2 I like his videos as he does a good job of analysis and presentation even if I don't always agree with his conclusions.

He notes malfunctions when using Minishells in an unmodified shotgun in Part 1. In Part 2, he is supplied with an OpSol adapter for the Mossberg. I've been running Minishells in a Mossberg 500A with an adapter pinned in place to prevent its being dislodged (which can happen) for some time and have had no feed malfunctions whatsoever from the magazine and therefore disagree with his conclusions regarding reliabiity. Combat loading requires rolling the shotgun so that the ejection port is up or the short rounds can get out of alignment, even turning backwards. That might be a deal-breaker for some but I can work with it - see the next paragraph as to why.


Harrell's analysis of terminal ballistics is pretty much what you'd expect; shorter shells, lighter payloads, less velocity equal less effectiveness. However, one look at his "meat target" convinces me that they are effective enough at HD ranges to be viable. With an even dozen alternating buck and slug rounds in my Mossberg, I consider it a viable HD firearm and that capacity is the reason I'm not worrying about combat loading. To answer the OP's original question, in my experience (and lack of sound meter), I don't hear much difference in the report between full size and mini shells and wouldn't worry about it in a HD scenario anyway.