Terrible advice being given out here, here are the facts, your life does depend on this.
The 65 pound gelatin block rose up to about a 45-degree angle immediately after firing.
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Brass Fetcher Ballistic Testing
Test # Bird 1
Bare gelatin block
(Nominal 10% concentration)
Cartridge : 12 gauge Winchester Super Speed Xtra 7 1/2 shot, 2 3/4 inches, 1 ounce
Block Calibration : 3.3 ± 0.05 inch penetration @ 597 ± 0.5 ft/sec
Block Calibration temperature : 36.1 ± 0.05 Degrees Fahrenheit
Block Core temperature : 37.9 ± 0.05 Degrees Fahrenheit
Bullet Performance:
Impact Velocity : 1317 ± 0.5 feet/second
Deepest Penetration Depth : 5.9 ± 0.05 Inch
Maximum Crack Diameter : 4.5 ± 0.05 Inch
Max Crack Diameter Location : 2.3 ± 0.05 Inch
Cavitation Depth : 0.0-5.9 ± 0.05 Inch
Notes:
Weapon - New England Firearms Pardner, with 24.0" barrel and cylinder choke.
Distance - 10.0 feet, muzzle to gelatin impact face
Test site conditions - 67 deg F, 46% relative humidity
Time out of refrigeration prior to shot impact - 6 minutes
Bullet recovered weight - All shot pellets and wadding recovered
Bullet recovered average diameter - 0.090 ± 0.0005"
Bullet recovered length - Not applicable.
Shot pattern was 3.8" in diameter on the impact face of the gelatin block.
http://www.brassfetcher.com/Shotguns/Bird 1 Side View.JPG
http://www.brassfetcher.com/Shotguns/Bird 1 Top View.JPG
http://www.brassfetcher.com/Shotguns/Bird 1 Bullet View.JPG
http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index...81023.html
FBI requires 12 inch penetration. Things like denim jackets will stop rounds from doing any major damage that do not have at least 12 inches of penetration into ballistics gel.