45 ACP’s average of 400 ft-lbs, for example. While this is slower than a standard 2¾-inch loading, the slug averages 1393 ft-pounds of energy, far superior to the. This is a one-ounce slug that broke from the Remington shotgun’s muzzle at 1120 fps. This load would be useful against predators (such as coyote) to about 50 feet, perhaps a bit longer range in a shotgun with a longer barrel or a tighter choke. The pattern stayed in the primary outline of the target. Moving to 15 yards, I fired several shots. This makes for the kind of effect on an adversary that is desirable in a home-defense situation. The pattern was a consistent 5×4 inches at 21 feet. The load is 16 balls, less than the full-size loading, but still a formidable payload. The #4 buckshot load clocked 1161 fps in my Remington’s 18-inch barrel. Setting a man-sized silhouette up at seven yards, I tested the shorty shells for pattern and velocity. This is part of the secret of the slug’s accuracy. Note the polymer ball loaded in all TruBall slugs. The slug load recovered from wet newsprint. I ran a full magazine through the shotgun as quickly as possible. But, then again, improper handling will cause a shotgun to short-cycle with any loading.Īfter the initial familiarization, I found the shotgun reliable with these loadings. I short-cycled the first shells when loading the chamber.īe certain to give the shotgun a strong pump-action or you may end up with two short shells in the carrier. Be careful when using these shells, as pump-action shotguns will sometimes short-cycle.

Shotguns with a magazine extension will hold even more. With the 1¾-inch loading, the Remington accommodates seven shells. The tubular magazine normally holds four 2¾-inch shells. When loading the proven 870 (a custom version with Adaptive Tactical stock and forend and XS night sights), the first advantage came to light. The shorty shell compared to a standard 2¾-inch shell. The majority of testing for me was done in a Remington 870 shotgun.

Remington 870 super shorty