September 13, 2012

Lightfield Less Lethal 12 Gauge Rubber Slugs
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Related Topics: Ammunition Ballistics General Reviews Self Defense Shotgun Ammunition Shotguns    

The Lightfield Home Defender 12 gauge rubber slugs are a very good choice for those who are concerned about using standard shotgun shells. However, less than lethal does not mean these rubber slugs are not lethal. They can cause serious bodily injury and death can result from using them on a live target.

Lightfield Less than Lethal Rubber Slugs

Lightfield Less Lethal Rubber Slugs

Generally, those who choose this ammunition intend to use it in confined spaces or multiple family homes like apartments, townhouses, or even smaller single-family homes where a standard bullet could penetrate the walls and enter other rooms or dwellings. Another reason may be a person’s apprehension at using highly lethal standard shells.

At 630 fps, the velocity of the rubber projectile, along with the potential kinetic energy transfer of 103 ft-lbs, make this a powerful weapon. However, several variables can alter the results. The distance to the target, the size of the target, how much clothing the target has on, and the use of substances that alter pain compliance, all affect the performance of this shell.

At the least, when the shooter fires this projectile from a 12-gauge shotgun, it is going to cause serious bruising and pain. If used in a home invasion scenario, I would be concerned that a person, who intends to invade my home while I was present, would be in an altered state of mind due to drug use. Pain compliance might not incapacitate them sufficiently until help arrived. At its best, this ammo can penetrate the body cavity and cause enough pain or physical injury that the intruder will discontinue or run away.

Again, the best advantage to this projectile is that it will likely fail to pass through the target, then walls, and into other rooms. Therefore, if you are looking for a potent alternative to the standard shotgun cartridge for home and personal defense, this is a very sound choice.

Like it? Want it? Buy it!

 

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The mission of Cheaper Than Dirt!’s blog, “The Shooter’s Log,” is to provide information—not opinions—to our customers and the shooting community. We want you, our readers, to be able to make informed decisions. The information provided here does not represent the views of Cheaper Than Dirt!

July 20, 2012

What Makes a Turkey Shotgun?
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Related Topics: Firearms Hunting Shotguns    

The turkey shotgun is one of the integral parts of turkey hunting. What makes a shotgun a turkey shotgun? Some gun manufacturers would have you believe that you can’t kill a turkey unless you spend top dollar on specialized shotguns with high-end components. While these little details certainly will not hurt, just about any shotgun can kill a turkey, and slight modifications to the firearm will increase your chances drastically.

Wild Turkey Hunting

Wild Turkey Hunting

The gun itself is far less important than your choke tubes and the loads you use. While there have been thousands of turkeys turned into thanksgiving dinner with out-of-the-box shotguns and waterfowl loads, an ideal turkey gun is set up slightly different. The main idea behind a turkey gun is keeping the pattern tight. Instead of pointing a turkey gun, you actually have to aim it. You also want a tighter pattern so the pellets have a better chance of hitting the bird at longer ranges. A wide pattern is less than ideal since you are trying to get more pellets in a smaller area.

Shot placement is paramount with turkey guns. A hit to the head and neck region is the holy grail of turkey shots, and it can be harder than you think to get that close to a wild turkey. I usually use #5 or #4 shot when turkey hunting. Numbers 6 and 7 typically produce less than enough energy to drop the bird with ease. The pellets are too small and slow down too soon. A high velocity turkey load does a fine job in most situations, since the larger pellets still travel fast enough to keep a tight pattern to bring the gobbler to the ground.

Shooting high velocity turkey loads can play hell with your shoulder. Several screw-in chokes on the market work to lessen felt recoil while keeping a turkey worthy pattern for your load. Turkey chokes are like a full choke on steroids. There are many on the market, but if it has the word turkey in the title and it fits your gun, it should work fine. A standard full choke can work too, but most of them do not have recoil reducing muzzle brakes.

For the shotgun, I picked up a Mossberg 500 All Purpose Field Shotgun with a 28-inch ribbed barrel for under $300 bucks. I would have saved some dough and gone with a simple Maverick 88, but they typically do not come with the receiver drilled and tapped for scope mounts. On the Mossberg’s receiver, I screwed in an inexpensive Leapers UTG 5.5-inch aluminum Picatinny rail. On top of that, an entry-level red dot I had laying in an old ammo box finished the job. I could have gone with simple fiber optic sights, but hey—red dots are cool and mine had a 3x magnification.

To be ready for turkey hunting, you have to pattern your shotgun. Patterning your shotgun is simple to do and you should do so with each gun, choke, load, and shooting distance. Different guns, even if they are the same model, make, and choke, can pattern differently. Different makes of shells, even if they have the same size and amount of shot and powder, can pattern differently. Take a piece of paper and fire a round at your target at 40 yards. Count how many pellets are in the vital area. Remember that a turkey head is a small target, and chasing a wounded turkey through a briar patch is not my idea of a good time. If your gun shoots too wide of a pattern, adjust your shot size accordingly.

Once you finish your adjustments, you are ready for bird hunting. Remember that turkeys are wary and know when things do not look right. Camo up and try to call the turkeys to you. If they hear or see you moving, they’ll bolt. Happy hunting!

 

Like this article? CLICK HERE to get stories like this, useful tips, and valuable resources every other weekend in your e-mail inbox.

The mission of Cheaper Than Dirt!’s blog, “The Shooter’s Log,” is to provide information—not opinions—to our customers and the shooting community. We want you, our readers, to be able to make informed decisions. The information provided here does not represent the views of Cheaper Than Dirt!
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