[CENTER]Range Report[/CENTER]

Hey guys,

Made it out to the range today to do some more testing on the slugs. Shot a few paper targets, but also did some penetration testing on hard-pack consisting of old Outdoor Life and Field & Stream magazines.

For this test, I used 3 rifles: a 45-70, my 375 Taylor, and my SxS slug gun. Approximate velocities of each (as I still don't have a chronograph) are 1800fps, 2450fps, and 1400fps. Distance to target was about 10 yards, and test medium was dry magazines.

Results

Penetration:

.729 cal 580 grain slug @ 1400fps = 3 3/4"
.458 cal 350gr Hornady FN @ 1800fps = 4 3/16"
.375 cal 300gr Hornady RN @ 2450fps = 5 3/16"

Weight Retention

580gr Slug @ 1400fps = (shot #1) 492gr (shot #2) 564gr
.458 350gr @ 1800fps = (shot #1) 99gr (shot #2) 144gr
.375 300gr @ 2450fps = (shot #1) 81gr (shot #2) 231gr

So the above are the results. Interesting thing is that the slugs penetrated almost as deeply as the 45-70, yet retained weight much better, AND caused a "wound trail" that was the size of a small fist. The 375 penetrated the deepest, and also made a very large wound trail. The 45-70 shed its jacket both times, and caused a wound trail that looked like a mouse chewed its way through the hole. Lots of little bits of paper compared to the other two.

(Top left: slugs, middle: 375, right: 45-70. Bottom Left: Slug recovered at 50 yards in dirt backdrop (Weight Rentention = 568gr), Bottom right = .54cal Muzzleloader round ball)

Close-up of slugs