Shotgun danger zone ??

RescueRiley

RescueRiley

Joined
Mar 22, 2006
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Was scouting out a new hunting area ( a state owned wma) It seemed pretty nice.. Lot's of game.. There also is alot of trails that intertwine around various woodlots...WHich got me a little worried.. THe woods are thick enough that you wouldnt be able to see anybody on other trails...(I mostly hunt small game with a shotgun) a 20 gauge. with 71/2 or 6 shot..cyl or I/c choke, I know some rifle and handgun cartridges are dangerous for over a mile.. was just wondering what the theoretical danger range of an cyl bore shot gun would be....Incidentally despite the great weather I only ran into 3 other people (2squirrel hunters in ghillie suits) and 1 older fellow hunting mushrooms with a cocker spaniel...(he had better luck than the other guys I think) As a side note I know knowledge of ballistic hypotheticals is no substitute for safe hunting practices.
 
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I was told that the pellet energy drops off pretty quick after 30 yards... However, I still wouldn't want to be shot at! Firearms Acadeny of Seattle did a study once, and found out, at 10 yards, number 6 shot went through 8 sheets of sheet-rock. Crazy!
 
Wow... I'm a relatively new to hunting and as a result am ultra paranoid...I won't eve shoot at a squirrel unless it's on the ground for fear of where my pellets might land on the way down. as a result I never limit out on squirrels.
 
Thanks for asking - most 'hunters' don't !! BTW I think 7 1/2 is appropriate for smaller birds , use 6 for squirrels. The choke has nothing to do with it ,it's the size of shot that's critical. Velocity also matters .A 7 1/2 heavy target has higher velocity and therefore greater range than light target. The one I remember is my BB steel goose loads which are 300 yd range ! IIRC there is a chart available on the SAAMI website .If you can't find it there ask one of the ammo makers such as Federal. Good hunting !
 
Hikers should be aware of the possibility of hunters in a specific area and vice-versa. Most NJ WMA's are closed to hikers during hunting season and rightfully so, except on Sunday when hunting is not permitted. If you are dumb enough to go hiking in a WMA during hunting season you are just asking to get peppered. You can check with your local Wildlife Management Office to find out the specifics on certain WMA's in your area.
 
Hey Riley, heres the chart from the Canadian Gov't firearms training course.
shotgunlethalityrange.jpg


Take this chart with a grain of salt.
Its "Dangerous" as in it can still hurt/damage/potentially kill humans at this range, its not saying you can take down a moose with a 12 Ga slug at 750 yards, lol.
 
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Wow, that chart seems way off to me. I find it hard to believe that 6 to 7 1/2 shot would be very dangerous at all beyond 20 to 30 yards. The pellets just aren't heavy enough to carry the energy to do much damage. That's why you use 00 buck for a defensive load and not bird shot.

In thick woods, I would not worry about it at all, unless you have a clear line of site to a trail. Any leaf or twig that a pellet hits is going to deflect it a lot, and take away tons of its energy.

I also wouldn't worry about shooting into the trees. Like I said, pellets aren't heavy enough to do be harmfully on there way down. I would have no problem shooting 6 shot straight into the air and letting the pellets fall down on me. Besides if you are in the woods, they are going to be hitting stuff, and won't even be a factor. Shotgun pellets are not like rifles and pistol rounds, that way a lot more, it's simple physics.

P.S. If you are talking about buck shot or slugs it's a whole different story. Watch out!
 
Great question Riley,

I think knowing what is behind your intended target is fundamental firearms safety, at least that is what I was taught by my father many moons ago.

Being a avid waterfowler and spending time hunting WMA in NY I can tell you that pellets raining down on you at ranges of 150-250 yards is pretty much not an issue. It's not fun but unless you get hit in the eye it is not dangerous. that is just my real life experience with this subject. I am sure that ballistic charts will tell a different story.

I don't think your being ultra paranoid, i would say your being responsible. There is nothing wrong with that.

Paul
 
I had a friend who was shot with 5 or 6 shot at 40 yards. He was wearing heavy coveralls and only two pellets broke skin. I know from personal experience that with 7 1/2 or 6 shot a person can essentially shoot straight at you at about 200 yards and the pellets will drop below your level by the time they get to you. That being said, it's best to be very careful and not shoot at anybody.

In thick brush, small shot like 7 1/2 will get stopped pretty quickly. It really doesn't take a whole lot to stop those pellets. Depending on how thick the brush really is, your shot may not be going much more than 50 yards total, if that.
 
stingray4540 said:
Wow, that chart seems way off to me. I find it hard to believe that 6 to 7 1/2 shot would be very dangerous at all beyond 20 to 30 yards. The pellets just aren't heavy enough to carry the energy to do much damage. That's why you use 00 buck for a defensive load and not bird shot.

In thick woods, I would not worry about it at all, unless you have a clear line of site to a trail. Any leaf or twig that a pellet hits is going to deflect it a lot, and take away tons of its energy.

I also wouldn't worry about shooting into the trees. Like I said, pellets aren't heavy enough to do be harmfully on there way down. I would have no problem shooting 6 shot straight into the air and letting the pellets fall down on me. Besides if you are in the woods, they are going to be hitting stuff, and won't even be a factor. Shotgun pellets are not like rifles and pistol rounds, that way a lot more, it's simple physics.

P.S. If you are talking about buck shot or slugs it's a whole different story. Watch out!
Click to expand...

I frequently kill small game out to 50 yards with 6 shot. Much farther than that and shot energy drops pretty quickly, and the pattern spreads out a lot.
 
I was mostly talking about danger to humans. I have no question that you can kill your intended game for quite a distance with the proper load, and the right shot.
 
stingray4540 said:
I was mostly talking about danger to humans. I have no question that you can kill your intended game for quite a distance with the proper load, and the right shot.
Click to expand...

After posting, I wondered if that's what you meant. My reading comprehension isn't very good sometimes. Guess this also sort of clarifies what I said in many words, too.
 
This is one of those things that asking is much better then trial and error.

I do a fair amount of WMA hunting in Minnesota.

When I'm in a new area that I haven't covered yet I only take shots at birds that make it 8' or better off the deck and never on a trail.

No ground pounding for me because I use a dog.

After I know a area well and the leaves are down I do take lower shots, 4' and up.

The key is to know your back ground, watch for orange, and listen for others while out there. I also find it helpful to talk to anyone I run across just to see if they've run into other people and if they've been having any luck.

Good luck
Helle
 
Hey T,
Just did the P.A.L. training course for Possession and Acquisition license last week. This chart is right out of the training manual that they provided.
Thanks for providing the graphic. I was wondering where I could get it.

Cheers
Dave

tholiver said:
Hey Riley, heres the chart from the Canadian Gov't firearms training course.
shotgunlethalityrange.jpg


Take this chart with a grain of salt.
Its "Dangerous" as in it can still hurt/damage/potentially kill humans at this range, its not saying you can take down a moose with a 12 Ga slug at 750 yards, lol.
Click to expand...
 
stingray4540 said:
I was mostly talking about danger to humans. I have no question that you can kill your intended game for quite a distance with the proper load, and the right shot.
Click to expand...

I think it depends what you consider to be "dangerous". Will birdshot at distance kill you? Likely not, but will it blind you? Absolutely!

I've been peppered many times while dove hunting from shots taken by hunters several hundred yards away. I was always glad for eye protection.

Andy
 
d_filgate said:
Hey T,
Just did the P.A.L. training course for Possession and Acquisition license last week. This chart is right out of the training manual that they provided.
Thanks for providing the graphic. I was wondering where I could get it.

Cheers
Dave
Click to expand...
Yup thats where i got it.
I looked for an online/pdf version but couldn't find one so i just scanned the chart, lol.
:D
If its just the chart you want feel free to save the image, unfortunately i don't have the whole book scanned.

I've got to renew my P.A.L this time next year.
Depending on the outcome of the election who knows why kinda new laws we will have to deal with by then!
:(
 
In wildlife areas and state forests in this state and in Michigan they close off the areas during hunting season. State parks where no hunting is allowed are safe.
 
Riley?

One of the GREAT websites on the entire internet is "Box O'Truth.

Guy and his buddy take all sorts of guns and ammo and test the penetration power.

He has water jugs and the Box O'Truth Buick. :) Good pictures, no agenda, and straight talk.

Google it. You will end up putting in your Favorites.




Kis
 
If you are uncertain of what or who may be in the area you are shooting it is best not to shoot. Downing a bird or squirrel isn't worth killing or maiming a person or unintended target. I met a guy who caught a ricochet off of a lake, the .22 bullet went into his eye socket and penetrated the brain cavity. He was in the hospital for an extended stay and nearly died from an infection. The investigators determined the bullet was fired from over half a mile away. I sure wouldn't want to have something like that on my conscience
 
While Quail hunting my cousin accidentally shot his dad from about 40 yards away with 7 1/2. He had shot in his face and the front of his neck, not to deep but several pieces.

The doctors had to let the swelling in his face go down a few days, before having him come back and dig them out.

If he had not been wearing shooting glasses, they were fairly certain he would have lost at least one eye.

Both lenses took multiple hits, but deflected the shot into his forehead and cheeks.
 
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