Home defense ammo - "Safer" ammo

[aRgus]

Until pretty recently, I didn't have to worry about anyone else being in close proximity in the event that I might need to defend myself in my home. In a few months I'll be doing the roommate thing again and so I started looking for "safer" ammo. That is to say, ammunition that isn't supposed to penetrate walls.

I picked up some Pow'R'Ball and I was looking at those air marshal rounds as well. Anyone have any experience/insight into these rounds? I've seen Pow'R'Ball mentioned in some of the home defense threads.

I'm also looking for 12ga ammo with similar features.

[Patriot]

Based on tests I've seen - any 12ga buckshot is going through a wall (or two ) like butter.

ETA - I can't access the site right now, but theboxoftruth.com has some info (though of course YMMV)

[aplinker]

Pow'RBall isn't really to stop overpenetration, but rather to improve the feeding of regular HP ammo.

I would say you're better off just using good defensive ammo like Federal HST (NOT HydraShok) or Winchester SXT in handguns, unless they have feed issues, then go with PowRBall.

Shotguns are tougher for penetration. Any change in penetration also means a reduction in effectiveness.

[rksimple]

Any round that will suffieciently penetrate an attacker will penetrate drywall easily. Just get a decent hollowpoint (SXT, Golden Saber, Gold Dot, etc) and don't miss. The best comprimise in shotguns is probably #4 buck. A little less in tissue, but less through drywall as well.

[BillCA]

+1 - for decent performance in tissue, a bullet will penetrate typical drywall constuction easily.

You could try using lightweight JHP ammo, but the problem is that penetration against aggressors sucks, especially through heavy clothing.

The best you can do is work with a roomie to position furniture in a way that puts you both as far away from the line of fire as possible (i.e. your headboard isn't against the hallway wall).

[Ech0Sierra]

"Safer" for your roommate means safer for the BG. Just get some Speer Gold Dot/ Winchester SXT/ Federal HST and don't miss.

[CSACANNONEER]

"Safer" ammo should mean ammo that only hits its target. Really, if you want to be "safe" it mean constant practice and, just like hunting or target shooting, always be aware of your background/backdrop (whats behind the target).

[mymonkeyman]

Based on tests I've seen - any 12ga buckshot is going through a wall (or two ) like butter.

ETA - I can't access the site right now, but theboxoftruth.com has some info (though of course YMMV)

It's boxotruth.com. And they did show that buckshot went through several layers of drywall, but not nearly as many as normal defensive pistol rounds did. The #1 and #4 buck penetrated through 6 layers of drywall, the same as a .22. The 00 buck penetrated through 8. Whereas 9mm, 45acp, and 5.56 all penetrated through 12 layers of drywall.

So, yes, shotguns will penetrate much less than handguns and rifles, but over-penetration is still a significant problem and you would kill someone on the other side of a wall or two.

[Patriot]

It's boxotruth.com. And they did show that buckshot went through several layers of drywall, but not nearly as many as normal defensive pistol rounds did. The #1 and #4 buck penetrated through 6 layers of drywall, the same as a .22. The 00 buck penetrated through 8. Whereas 9mm, 45acp, and 5.56 all penetrated through 12 layers of drywall.

So, yes, shotguns will penetrate much less than handguns and rifles, but over-penetration is still a significant problem and you would kill someone on the other side of a wall or two.

The Box O' Truth - Ammo Penetration Testing
The Box O' Truth - The purpose of the Box O' Truth is to test the penetration of various rounds on several mediums.
https://www.<span style="font-size:2...boxotruth.com/ - 69k - Cached - Similar pages

I haven't been able to access it all day

Regarding their exact findings, you seem better acquainted with the data than I.

[Ech0Sierra]

EDIT:STUPID ME! THIS WAS 3 YEARS AGO

[sloguy]

Any change in penetration also means a reduction in effectiveness.

exactly.

the problem with shallow wounds is that when a badguy is atacking you he covers 30%(dont quote me on that number, its from memory) of his central nervous system with his arms in front of him. as in he has a knife or gun or whatever. a shallow wounding round will likely fail to punch thru his arm and continue into his chest to reach his vitals. you want a "mechanical stop", not a "psychological stop" mechanical stop is where the badguy has no choice in the matter because you damaged the brain or central nervous system and its mechanically imposible for him to continue. a psychological stop is where the badguy gets hit and gives up in his own mind and falls, not because he has to, but because his mind gives up. point being he could continue to come hurt you if he was determined enough. a mechanical stop takes away the possibility of the badguy being able to be tough and keep going.

in the end it doesnt matter why he stops as long as he stops. id rather "make" him stop and not leave the option of being able to continue the attack if he trys hard enough.

besides, if you shoot well and all your shots go thru the badguy first then they should be pretty "safe" at that point. as "safe" as the "safer" ammo that misses.

[supersonic]

Take a look at these:http://www.realpages.com/sites/magsafeammo/index.html

[What Just Happened?]

If there was some projectile that would not penetrate a couple layers of drywall, I'm pretty sure that it wouldn't be able to stop an attacker.

[aplinker]

Also, if you're thinking of the Air Marshall rounds (frangibles), I'll warn you that out of a rifle they have feeding issues. Unless someone improves on that I wouldn't suggest using them. They have a small tendency to break apart and cause FTFs, due to their ability to crack apart and the long length of rifle bullets.