Shotgun slug comparison using the Benelli Supernova Tactical

Summary

In this engaging video, Dr. Drake 63 explores the performance of three distinct non-sabot shotgun slugs: the Federal, Remington Slugger, and Winchester, all 12-gauge and designed for smooth barrel shotguns. Using a new Benelli Supernova shotgun, he tests these slugs for their muzzle velocity and ballistics. The Federal slug, weighing 1.25 ounces and traveling at 1600 feet per second, is compared with the 1-ounce Remington and Winchester slugs, both at 1760 feet per second. Despite similar specifications, the Winchester slug surprisingly produced the most recoil, while the Remington Slugger was the most manageable. The video also discusses the impact of recoil on shooting experience, particularly with semi-automatic versus pump-action shotguns. Dr. Drake 63 emphasizes the importance of practice and the use of recoil pads to mitigate the force of heavy slugs. He concludes by encouraging viewers to support the National Shooting Sports Foundation and to exercise their right to vote.

Takeaways

• 📚 Dr. Drake's 63 discusses testing three different non-sabot shotgun slugs: Federal, Remington Slugger, and Winchester.
• 🎯 All three slugs are 12-gauge, 3-inch shells with a 1-ounce rifled projectile, designed for smooth barreled shotguns.
• 🚀 The Federal slug has a muzzle velocity of 1600 feet per second, while the Remington and Winchester slugs both have a velocity of 1760 feet per second.
• 🔍 Dr. Drake uses a Benelli Supernova, a 12-gauge shotgun capable of handling 3.5-inch shells, for testing the slugs.
• ⚙️ The Benelli Supernova is a semi-automatic shotgun with a recoil-absorbing mechanism, which reduces felt recoil compared to pump-action or bolt-action firearms.
• 📊 Despite similar ballistics on paper, the Winchester slug felt the hardest to shoot, while the Remington Slugger was the easiest to control.
• 🔩 Recoil management is crucial when shooting shotgun slugs, especially with non-automatic shotguns, as there's no recoil-absorbing mechanism to reduce the impact.
• 🤔 Dr. Drake admits not being an expert in slug shooting with shotguns and found the experience instructive.
• 🏹 The range for testing was limited to 50 yards, which is suitable for the intended use of shotgun slugs for hunting or self-defense at close to medium ranges.
• 🧍‍♂️ Applying back pressure on the grip can help mitigate felt recoil, which Dr. Drake learned to do better over the course of shooting.
• 🌟 Dr. Drake expresses interest in semi-automatic shotguns like the Benelli M3 and M4 for easier shooting with heavier loads, but notes their higher cost.
• ✅ The video concludes with a reminder to support the National Shooting Sports Foundation and to vote to protect the rights of gun owners.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the rifled grooves on the shotgun slugs discussed in the script?

The rifled grooves on the shotgun slugs are designed to stabilize the slug as it travels down the smooth barrel of the shotgun. These grooves are supposed to have a similar stabilizing effect as those found in a rifle barrel.

What are the three shotgun slugs tested in the script?

The three shotgun slugs tested are the Federal three-inch, the Remington Slugger three-inch Magnum, and the Winchester 12-gauge three-inch shell. All are 1 ounce rifled slugs.

What is the muzzle velocity of the Federal shotgun slug?

The muzzle velocity of the Federal shotgun slug is 1600 feet per second.

How does the recoil of a semi-automatic shotgun differ from that of a pump-action or bolt-action shotgun?

A semi-automatic shotgun has a recoil-absorbing mechanism, typically a large spring, which reduces the felt recoil when firing. In contrast, pump-action and bolt-action shotguns do not have such mechanisms, so the recoil is felt more directly by the shooter.

What is the weight in grains of the 12-gauge shotgun slugs discussed in the script?

The Federal slug weighs 551 grains, while the Remington Slugger and Winchester slugs, which have identical statistics, weigh 441 grains each.

What is the significance of Newton's third law in relation to the recoil experienced when shooting a shotgun?

Newton's third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When firing a shotgun, the force from the shell drives the gun back, and this recoil is felt by the shooter. Semi-automatic shotguns have mechanisms to absorb some of this recoil, reducing the force felt by the shooter.

Why did the Winchester slug kick the hardest out of the three tested, according to the script?

The exact reason is not clear from the script, as the Winchester slug and the Remington Slugger had identical statistics on paper. However, the Winchester slug did kick the hardest, which was unexpected for the shooter.

What is the recommended maximum effective range for the shotgun slugs tested in the script?

The shotgun slugs tested are most effective under 100 yards, and for smoothbore rifled slugs, the realistic effective range is more like 50 yards or less.

What is the advantage of shooting two and three-quarter inch slugs over three-inch slugs?

Two and three-quarter inch slugs are not as powerful as three-inch slugs, which makes them easier on the shooter's shoulder and suitable for situations where the recoil is a concern, especially during extended shooting sessions.

What type of shotgun was used in the script for testing the slugs?

A Benelli Supernova, a 12-gauge shotgun capable of accommodating up to a three and a half inch shell, was used. This is a tactical version with a short barrel compared to a standard shotgun.

What is the shooter's primary purpose for using the Benelli Supernova shotgun?

The primary purpose for using the Benelli Supernova shotgun, as mentioned in the script, is for self-defense and home defense, as well as for the 'cool factor' associated with the firearm.

Why does the shooter recommend shooting with a padded grip to help mitigate recoil?

The shooter recommends using a padded grip because it can help to absorb some of the recoil, reducing the impact on the shooter's shoulder and making the shooting experience more comfortable.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Introduction to Shotgun Slug Testing

Dr. Drake introduces the video by stating his intention to test three different non-sabot shotgun slugs designed for smooth barreled shotguns. He outlines the specifics of each slug: the Federal three-inch with a 16 hundred feet per second muzzle velocity, the Remington Slugger three-inch Magnum at 1760 feet per second, and the Winchester with identical stats to the Remington. The testing will be conducted using a Benelli Supernova, a 12-gauge shotgun capable of firing three and a half inch shells. The doctor also discusses the differences in recoil between semi-automatic and pump-action shotguns, highlighting the recoil management features of the Benelli Supernova.

05:03

🎯 Recoil Experience and Slug Comparison

Dr. Drake shares his personal recoil experience when shooting the slugs from a non-semi-automatic shotgun. He explains the physics behind recoil and how semi-automatic shotguns, like the Benelli Supernova, utilize a recoil spring to absorb much of the recoil force, reducing the felt recoil. He then details his testing process, noting that the Winchester slug had the strongest kick, followed by the Federal, with the Remington Slugger being the most manageable despite having similar ballistics to the Winchester. The doctor also mentions his proficiency with shotguns and the challenges he faced in shooting slugs, particularly the heavier 3-inch varieties.

10:05

📈 Slug Performance and Adjustments

The video script describes the testing process of the shotgun slugs at a distance of 50 yards, which is considered an effective range for these types of ammunition. Dr. Drake discusses the need for adjustments to the shotgun's sights to compensate for the slugs' trajectories and his process of getting accustomed to the recoil. He provides a detailed account of the performance of each slug brand, noting that the Winchester initially grouped to the right, the Federal consistently shot high, and the Remington provided the best groups. He emphasizes the importance of not anticipating recoil and the learning curve associated with shooting slugs from a shotgun.

15:07

🌟 Conclusion and Future Plans

Dr. Drake concludes the video with his thoughts on the shotgun and its use for self-defense and the 'cool factor.' He acknowledges the significant recoil associated with shooting 3-inch slugs from the Benelli Supernova but also appreciates the experience. He recommends shooting two and three-quarter inch slugs for those who plan to do a lot of shooting to reduce shoulder strain. The doctor expresses his interest in other models of shotguns, such as the Benelli M3 and M4, which are semi-automatic and would be easier to handle with heavier loads. He encourages viewers to support the National Rifle Association and to vote, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the right to bear arms for current and future generations.

Keywords

💡Shotgun Slugs

Shotgun slugs are a type of ammunition designed for use in shotguns. Unlike traditional shotshells that contain multiple small pellets, slugs are single, solid projectiles. In the video, Dr. Drake is testing different shotgun slugs, which are important for their accuracy and power at longer ranges compared to shotshells, making them suitable for hunting larger game or self-defense.

💡Rifled Slugs

Rifled slugs are a specific type of shotgun slug that has spiral grooves, or 'rifling', cut into the barrel of the shotgun. This rifling imparts a stabilizing spin on the slug as it travels down the barrel, improving its accuracy. In the script, Dr. Drake mentions that the slugs are rifled, which means they have these grooves to help stabilize them in a smooth barreled shotgun.

💡Muzzle Velocity

Muzzle velocity is the speed at which a projectile, such as a bullet or shotgun slug, leaves the muzzle of the firearm. It is a critical factor in determining the trajectory and impact of the projectile. In the video, Dr. Drake discusses the muzzle velocity of the slugs he is testing, with figures such as 1600 feet per second and 1760 feet per second, which are important for understanding the ballistic performance of the ammunition.

💡Benelli Supernova

The Benelli Supernova is a model of shotgun, specifically a 12-gauge capable of firing up to a three and a half inch shell. It is mentioned in the video as the firearm that Dr. Drake is using to test the shotgun slugs. The choice of shotgun can affect the shooting experience, including the recoil felt by the shooter and the accuracy of the shots.

💡Recoil

Recoil is the backward movement of a gun when it is discharged. It is a fundamental aspect of shooting that can affect the shooter's comfort and the accuracy of follow-up shots. Dr. Drake discusses the recoil of the shotgun when firing 3-inch slugs, noting that it is significant and can be mitigated by using a recoil pad and proper shooting technique.

💡Federal, Remington Slugger, Winchester

These are three different brands of shotgun ammunition that Dr. Drake is testing in the video. Each brand offers a 3-inch, 1-ounce rifled slug with specific muzzle velocities and performance characteristics. The comparison of these brands is central to the video as it provides insight into the differences in performance and recoil among seemingly similar products.

💡Newton's Third Law

Newton's Third Law of Motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In the context of the video, Dr. Drake refers to this law to explain the concept of recoil. When a shotgun is fired, the force of the projectile moving forward results in an equal force pushing the gun backward, which is felt as recoil by the shooter.

💡Semi-Automatic Shotgun

A semi-automatic shotgun is a type of firearm that automatically reloads the next round after each shot is fired. Dr. Drake contrasts the recoil experienced when using a semi-automatic shotgun with that of a pump-action shotgun. In the video, he explains that semi-automatic shotguns often have a recoil-absorbing mechanism that reduces the felt recoil, making them more comfortable to shoot.

💡Indoor Range

An indoor range is a controlled environment designed for the practice of shooting firearms. Dr. Drake mentions shooting at an indoor range, which is limited to 50 yards. This setting is important as it dictates the maximum effective range for the shotgun slugs being tested and influences the shooter's experience due to the typical weather conditions outside.

💡Self-Defense

Self-defense is the act of protecting oneself from harm. Dr. Drake discusses using the shotgun for self-defense purposes in the home. The choice of ammunition and firearm for self-defense is critical, as it must be effective and manageable under stress. The video evaluates how the tested shotgun slugs might perform in such a scenario.

💡NASS Rifle Association

The NASS Rifle Association is likely a reference to a firearms or shooting sports organization that Dr. Drake supports. In the video, he encourages viewers to support the organization, which may advocate for or provide resources related to shooting sports, gun ownership rights, or firearm safety.

Highlights

Dr. Drake's 63 tests three different non-sabot shotgun slugs: Federal, Remington Slugger, and Winchester.

All slugs are rifled and meant for smooth barreled shotguns, with the Federal having a slightly slower muzzle velocity.

The Winchester and Remington slugs boast identical ballistics statistics.

Drake uses a Benelli Supernova, a 12-gauge shotgun capable of handling 3.5 inch shells.

The Benelli Supernova is a tactical version with a short barrel and is semi-automatic.

The recoil of the shotgun is significantly felt due to the manual operation, unlike semi-automatic firearms.

The Winchester slug was perceived to have the most recoil, followed by the Federal, with the Remington Slugger being the easiest to shoot.

Drake discusses the difference in felt recoil between semi-automatic shotguns and pump-action or bolt-action firearms.

The weight of the slugs is compared to a 7.62x51 NATO round (.308 caliber) bullet.

The recoil spring in semi-automatic shotguns absorbs much of the shock, reducing felt recoil.

Drake emphasizes the importance of not anticipating recoil when shooting to maintain accuracy.

All three slugs were tested at 50 yards, a distance suitable for their effective performance.

The function of the gun was good, but the shooter had to adjust to the recoil and get used to the trigger.

The Federal slugs sailed high, requiring adjustments to the sight for better accuracy.

The Remington Slugger produced good groups at 50 yards with less windage issue.

Drake recommends shooting 2.75 inch slugs for those who plan on doing a lot of shooting to reduce recoil impact.

The video concludes with a discussion on the importance of firearm evaluation and the continued learning process with different types of firearms.

Drake expresses interest in the Benelli M3 and M4 models, which are semi-automatic and would be easier to shoot with heavier loads.

The video ends with a call to support the National Rifle Association and to exercise voting rights to protect gun ownership rights.

Transcripts

well hi everybody its dr drake's 63 here

today we're going to talk a little bit

about testing out three different

shotgun slugs of the non sabot variety

these are rifled meant to be smooth a

shout out of a smooth barreled shotgun

12-gauge we're going to take a look at

the federal which is a three inch one in

the quarter rounds muzzle velocity of

sixteen hundred feet per second we're

gonna look at the Remington Slugger

three inch Magnum that's also a 1 ounce

projectile and that goes at a cool 1760

feet per second to see what's going on

with the ballistics there and last but

not least we're gonna look at the

Winchester 12-gauge also a three inch

shell also all a 1 ounce rifled slug

that's what it looks like

and that's also going in 1760 feet per

second so the Winchester Dan the

remington boasts the same statistics

this federal a little bit heavier and

it's going a little bit slower

all three inch slugs and we're shooting

them out of a new shotgun we just picked

up this last week this is the Benelli

supernova this is a 12-gauge shotgun

that can accommodate up to a three and a

half inch shell and this is a tactical

version so it has a short barrel

compared compared to say a standard

shotgun you see in the back this is a

semi-auto in the back and if we want to

line up the receivers and get an idea

quite a bit more barrel on this CZ

that's a semiautomatic shotgun like i

said and there's a big difference when

you start talking about taking lengths

off the barrel of a 12-gauge shotgun and

at a pump versus a semi and what kind of

recoil you get and we'll visit that in a

little bit but first we're gonna talk

about these three shells just a bit so

looking at the three of these cartridges

this is the federal and it's a rifled

slug which means that I'm gonna borrow

Winchester's picture here for a second

you can see that there are grooves cut

into the side and it has a hollowed

point okay so it's going down a smooth

barrel but those rifle grooves

supposedly help stabilize it and have

the same effect that a rifle would and

you can see these are the same size

here's the Slugger magnum okay and same

thing now this is one ounce this is one

and a quarter and then the Winchester

they've got their nice little logo

stamped down on it and as we talked

about earlier identical on paper

statistics to the slugger

from Remington okay now what you're

looking at here is 7 62 by 51 NATO round

also known as 308 this bullet here

weighs 150 grains I'll do some some

quick math for you what does this mean

it means this one and a quarter ounce

slug weighs 551 grains okay 551 at a

pretty dang large caliber bore versus a

hundred and 50 grains here these two

with the 1 ounce are 441 grains 441

grains flying out of a shotgun and at a

velocity at 700 our 1700 plus feet per

second almost 1,800 and here's the big

difference this is this is a magazine

that would work in an ar-10 this

particular one go

the Galil which is an Israeli a cake

type design it's got a big robust spring

that that is part of the operating

mechanism that cycles the next round so

it absorbs a lot of that shock if you

look at this firearm right here this

semiautomatic shotgun the gases operate

in such a way is that it pushes a big

spring back so as you can see there's

this big hunk and spring right here that

the gases go in this port and force back

for the next round it's kind of hard for

me to do one-handed but you can see how

this moves okay so if you fire a three

inch round something with with with

heavy ballistics like one of these

three-inch lead slugs this spring is

gonna absorb a lot of that recoil so

just to remember for everybody for

Newton's third law for every action

there is an equal and opposite reaction

so when all a force from one of these

big old honkin shells drives this spring

back reloads the next shell and a

semiautomatic shotgun or in the case of

in the case of a bullet it absorbs a lot

of that so you don't get a lot of felt

recoil however when you're shooting a

pump-action action shotgun or a bolt

bolt-action rifle for example you're

gonna get it all because there's no

place for it to go you this is a

manually cycle there's no mainspring

there's no recoil spring there's nothing

so that's kind of why I get a kick when

I hear guys talk about oh you know lots

of recoil on an AR or any recoil on an

AR are talking about recoil with their

seven 62 by 39 ak's if you hear somebody

talking about recoil with one of those

firearms that's a real good hint that

they have very little experience firing

firing guns because those guns don't

contain any kind of recall

why am I doing this whole build up to

this taking first shots with this it's

been a long time since I've fired slugs

especially 3-inch slugs out of out of a

shotgun that isn't semi-auto and gunner

gonna handle a lot of that recoil so

this sucker kicks like a mule and it's

really good that there is this there is

this pad here it helps I also kind of

learn not being used to using a handle

on a shotgun to apply some back pressure

on this grip and it does help quite a

bit

mitigate the recoil but I will tell you

right now that without a doubt and I

don't know why because on paper it

shouldn't be this way the Winchester

kicked the hardest out of the three

number two was the federal which I kind

of would expected it's firing a heavier

projectile 551 grains going 1,600 feet

per second and the only thing it has to

do is shoot backwards into your shoulder

and the third lightest amount of recoil

and the lightest and I thought the

easiest to shoot most controllable was

the the Remington Slugger which like I

said on paper has identical ballistics

to the Winchester so we don't quite know

how that works but that was just just

what I imagined today but in all I shot

35 3-inch slugs today and I was ready to

quit after about 10 but because I'm

making a video I decided to man up and

see if we couldn't just keep going and

you'll see for my shooting results it's

not what you'd expect to see from

somebody who shoots as much as I do but

I'm gonna have to raise my hand right

now and just admit I am NOT a slug

shooting shotgunner it's not an area

great expertise for me so I found this

to be very instructive to

always excited to go to the range even

if it's an indoor range preference

obviously is being able to shoot out to

greater distances minimum a hundred

usually like two hundred and more so

obviously a rifle guy here but the

indoor range has to do especially when

we're having unusual weather for April

we're seeing temperatures in the

mornings below 20 degrees and windy and

should we got eight inches of fresh snow

here in Minnesota this last week so have

to make do with what you have when it

comes to shotguns 50 yards which is the

the limit of the indoor range where I

shoot is plenty 50 yards is more than

enough because quite frankly when I'm

shooting a shotgun

typically that's the range I'm looking

at if not closer today we're going to be

shooting as I mentioned the slugs and

these are going to be at their most

effective performance under a hundred

yards especially for the smoothbore

slugs that are rifled the non Sabbats

legs and more than realistically if I

were to use these in either a hunting or

self-defense situation it's going to be

more like 50 yards or less so it's a

pretty true test of what these slugs are

doing

overall I found that the function of the

guns loaded wall so you take stop out of

the tube it's a rifle that will take

four plus these three I did folks I

called a couple times look that's just

getting nothing this particular I'm

trying to see I'm really leaning into

that and the taking these shots really

driving me back again there's no place

for this force to go straight back into

my shoulder it was quite the deal each

that's not normally there that's your

broken blood vessels so definitely

something not used to there I felt every

one of those shots today I won't lie to

you guys I hate to I hate to sound like

a Sally here but the truth the matter is

12-gauge with a 3-inch slug eighteen

inch barrel

BAM so first up was that Winchester and

you can see a pretty decent group up off

to the right a little bit that wasn't

because I needed to adjust the the

windage it was more an issue of getting

used to the trigger but the elevation

needed to be adjusted so we figured out

how to do that it's all done in the back

sight and after cranking that down we're

able to get better results but you can

see I'm already starting to anticipate

the recoil here is the federal and these

were sailing high I made a few more

adjustments on my windage as well as

understanding the sight picture and got

those down but they just shot higher

when we went to the Remington we were

getting pretty good groups and also

learning how to shoot the gun and not

anticipate the recoil as much pleased

overall with the results of 50 yards as

you can see I don't have windage issues

and as far as going after a man-sized

target a bear sized target something

like that I'm gonna be pretty good to be

right on so today was a little bit about

firearm evaluation getting used to to

doing something a little bit different

you know I've got enough experience with

the shotguns that certainly if I'm gonna

go out and shoot buckshot shoots shells

that aren't the big ones and things of

that nature it's gonna be a lot easier

to fire this so I don't want to scare

anybody off if you're the first time you

go shoot a firearm you're gonna put the

biggest loads and the biggest ballistics

challenge in terms of recoil and you

might not be you might not be making the

best decision but I really bought this

particular firearm for the self-defense

purpose for the purpose of defending my

home and also for the cool factor I'm

not gonna lie

and so we're going to continue to learn

on this particular type and style of a

firearm as well as you know utilize this

grip to help mitigate some of this

recoil so I'm not taking it all on the

shoulder other things that can be done

on a situation like this strongly

recommend shooting two and three-quarter

inch slugs they make them they're not

quite as powerful and if you're gonna do

a lot of shooting that's a good

suggestion to shave your shoulder but

it's also an experience thing but

whether it gets a little bit nicer here

we'll take this outdoors shoot some

targets with buckshot and birdshot and

things like that but overall a lot of

fun I'm not complaining about not

complaining about the kick to the

shoulder but it is a lot different I've

been shooting a heck of a lot of

semi-automatic rifles lately and when

you do that you get a little bit spoiled

because this mentioned that Big Spring

takes a lot of that recoil out of the

equation you can just focus on the

accuracy but we're gonna keep you up to

speed with what we're doing with this

particular gun and I like it

I'm very interested in Bonelli's m3 and

m4 versions which are semi-automatic and

of course would would be a lot easier

and fun to shoot with some of these

heavier loads they aren't cheap guns

though I've seen them well over well

over the 1,500 to 2,000 dollar range so

you know you're talking about a gun you

need to save your pennies for but I

appreciate you watching this particular

video today as always I hope that you

will support the NASS

Rifle Association it's an American

institution and it's one of the main

reasons that I can go by and shoot

something like this today and I'd really

hate to see myself or any of you

watching as well as our offspring and

future generations lose the ability to

enjoy what we do today whatever you do

make sure you vote thanks again for

watching this is dr drake 63 saying

goodbye

[Applause]