Federal "Deep Penetrator" with harder lead alloy construction:


Test begins at frame 1:19

Good stuff.  Thanks for posting it .   

From my perspective, the introduction of "hollow pointed" rifled slugs was a triumph of "popular marketing" over terminal performance. 

By the mid-1980s, almost all American made rifled slugs were increased in diameter to match the "standard" bore diameter and giving the best smoothbore accuracy to the genre since the 1930s introduction of Foster slug ammunition.  These were all deeply hollow base round nose projectiles with the thickest lead in the nose heavy front.  Most expansion tests and recovered slugs from game, almost uniformly displayed a flat - short wadcutter like terminal shape.

Although I don't recall which manufacturer introduced the shallow hollow point rifled slug in the late 1980s, the slugs of the big three soon all sported a new "dimpled" nose configuration - as if a nearly three quarter inch projectile needed greater expansion!  Soon, expanded slugs began to display the now classic hole in the middle or simply fragmented. 

In smaller gauges the fragmentation problem became pronounced.  In this example, twenty gauge #3B exhibited greater penetration in the test medium than a 5/8th ounce rifled slug.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/the-box-o-truth-22-20-gauge-shotgun/

Ran across three tests on different but commonly available smoothbore slug loads. The results were quite interesting - especially the radical expansion and limited penetration of the Winchester slug.


Winchester "hollow point" rifled slug penetration and expansion:


Slug test starts at frame 1:23

  So if I understand this correctly, the 9mm fmj's in my Sig are more of a over penetration risk than this shotgun slug in my apartment?

I think with barely 14 inches in soft gelatin, even #4 buck would penetrate more than that slug does. Winchester may make a crappy bear slug, but for home defense a 1.25 inch wound channel from a 12 gauge that penetrates just over a foot might be fantastic.

Interesting stuff, thanks for sharing.

From my perspective, the introduction of "hollow pointed" rifled slugs was a triumph of "popular marketing" over terminal performance. 

I don't know... But I kind of disagree here.   See, the reasons Shotguns are so wonderful is the versatility granted by picking the right tool for the job... and in this case the tools are your shell selection. 
The HP design by Winchester has it's purpose... and saying that it's less desirable than the others simply for the lack of penetration is only true if maximum penetration is the purpose. 

Winchester clearly states the purpose right on the box. 
"DEER".  And for those that are illiterate, it clearly shows the images of a white tail deer.  Hardened penetrators are less ideal for this game... Thin skinned and light boned, like your average Snowflake, you want more shock effect into the target.   The HP design causes a lot of deformation, which as we know, helps cause tissue disrupting shock.  It really does do a lot of damage into soft meat target... Making it the ideal choice for White Tail - or for Defensive use.
The other slugs... Are of course better suited for Dangerous Game where that max penetration is ideal.   And what makes them ideal for that is the same reasons it's less ideal than the Super X slug.   I've seen a lot of well placed shots from high powered rifles that allowed the game animal to run for a half mile... Where similar shots with rounds like a 150 grain .30-30 just crush the target.

I have to agree with BS and George here.  I have recently taken a liking to shotguns, but the idea of using slugs has been unappealing.  Pinpoint accuracy and penetration...  Great for bear, less ideal for home defense. 

But seeing this video...  Winchester Super X?  I want to try some.

Agreed with wanting to try some. on paper, the Win X is less likely to hit something I don't want to hit and more likely to safely stop what I want to stop, within the confines of my apartment then what I currently have right next to me.

I don't know... But I kind of disagree here.   See, the reasons Shotguns are so wonderful is the versatility granted by picking the right tool for the job... and in this case the tools are your shell selection. 
The HP design by Winchester has it's purpose... and saying that it's less desirable than the others simply for the lack of penetration is only true if maximum penetration is the purpose. 

Winchester clearly states the purpose right on the box. 
"DEER".  And for those that are illiterate, it clearly shows the images of a white tail deer.  Hardened penetrators are less ideal for this game... Thin skinned and light boned, like your average Snowflake, you want more shock effect into the target.   The HP design causes a lot of deformation, which as we know, helps cause tissue disrupting shock.  It really does do a lot of damage into soft meat target... Making it the ideal choice for White Tail - or for Defensive use.
The other slugs... Are of course better suited for Dangerous Game where that max penetration is ideal.   And what makes them ideal for that is the same reasons it's less ideal than the Super X slug.   I've seen a lot of well placed shots from high powered rifles that allowed the game animal to run for a half mile... Where similar shots with rounds like a 150 grain .30-30 just crush the target.

George,

I can see that perspective, however, my answer was from a hunters point of view.  As I noted, prior to  "hollow pointing", soft lead rifled slugs would generally pancake down to a highly effective  flat - short wadcutter-like terminal shape, but seldom fragmented.

Now as for purposely selecting slugs for limited penetration, Winchester has already taken the next step with a line of pre-segmented slugs designed for defensive use. 

Here is a detailed article, including gelatin penetration tests, over at Active Response Training on this slug and the Ranger version aimed at the LE market:

http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/new-winchester-segmented-slug-round

 

I have some of the PDX rounds, and have fired them through my Mossy.

With the 21" barrel installed, at 25yds I hit *precisely* where I wanted to (a nice hole punched in the forehead of the target).  Very nice.

Mine were the load with the slug and three balls of shot roughly equivalent to 9mm rounds.  Less appealing was the inability to predict where those balls of shot were going to go. I would not want to depend on that in a hostage situation.  I think I'll be getting my hands on some of the Super-X hollow points up there.

In smaller gauges the fragmentation problem became pronounced.  In this example, twenty gauge #3B exhibited greater penetration in the test medium than a 5/8th ounce rifled slug.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/the-box-o-truth-22-20-gauge-shotgun/

If you missed checking out the link above, you will be shocked to find that #3 buckshot from a 20 gauge out penetrated a standard Remington 5/8 ounce rifled slug.  The slug simply fragmented!

[quote author=MTK20

I think with barely 14 inches in soft gelatin, even #4 buck would penetrate more than that slug does.


Here is a 5 yard test of Hornady #4B from the same source.  Penetration - take a look starting at frame 2:23

Ah ok, So my beloved #4 buckshot as made by Hornady's Varmint Express line is still the superior product for my purposes  .

Thanks for the info!

^ This ^ .   

The only living things I have ever shot with the normal 'rifled' slugs was a deer and a few coyotes. They basically cored coyotes like an apple, and did nice damage on the deer. They seemed more than adequate damage/penetration wise for self defense use.

I still like my 87 grain hollowpoints from my 25-06 on yotes tho. It basically grenades them if under about 200 yards. If using a shotgun #4 buckshot is the best medicine for coyotes IMO. This is in little more open habitat of OK tho. If you were in heavier brush a lighter load might work better.