alucard0822
For great Justice
Sigh.
Again, physics.
When the pellets are very close together, they act as a cohesive projectile. 1.25 ounces at 1100 fps. Almost like a slug. This dumps energy into the target in a very concentrated area. It will create large temporary and permanent wound channels with this behavior. We agree on this point.
Here is where the problem lies. As they spread out, they behave as individual pellets. This does not take long to occur. By 20 feet, the pellets are doing less than 2 inches of penetration into ballistic gelatin. This indicates a very low amount of energy. This your last statement is also inadvertently the correct answer beyond 10-15 feet.
As they spread out, they then behave as the individual pellets that they are. That's all I'm going to say on it. I know my weenie is little, no need for me to get in measuring contests.
It's not just spread in open air to consider. Have seen it tested in gel and for breeching. The shot column basically has to abrade material to penetrate, as soon as pellets have to penetrate on their own instead of a mass, they stop well short of sufficient penetration, almost always within 6 feet. .mil went to frangible slugs for that reason, they won't bread apart till they hit something. ANY barrier, clothing, bone, or muscle, and the bird shot column spreads and loose that ability to abrade through as a single fragmenting projectile. It can work, but isn't reliable, and pretty much any wall or piece of furniture becomes hard cover. Even then why handicap yourself. There is a major difference between 400 projectiles with 3 FPE energy each and a 1200FPE single projectile. Like trying to calculate how many times you have to slap someone before you achieve the same results as hitting them with a truck.