Given Brenneke USA’s recent QC issues and the unfortunate unavailability of true Rotweil Brennke loads in the U.S. currently, we have been looking for alternative slug loads that are capable of adequate penetration after first defeating intermediate barriers. We shot the new Federal (PB127 DPRS) Truball Deep Penetrator 1 oz slug load @ 1350 fps (http://www.federalpremium.com/products/details/slug.aspx?id=902). It penetrated 24" of gel after first defeating an automobile windshield, with no deviation from trajectory and outstanding weight retention. The Federal Truball Deep Penetrator works as a potential Brenneke replacement. As a bonus, it is very accurate out to at least 100 yards.
Based on IWBA data, Don Hacklander from San Diego Police Supply and I have been discussing the potential of a properly designed #1 buckshot LE load for many years–with Don’s help and the efforts of some folks at ATK, this has now finally been brought to fruition!
We shot the new Federal #1 buckshot, 15 pellet, 1100 fps “Flight Control” load (LE132-1B) yesterday out of a generic 18" 870P, including patterning from 5-35 yards, as well as a bare gel shot at 7 yards. In bare gel, all 15 of the 30 caliber plated pellets penetrated in the 14-18 inch range.
This new Federal LE132-1B #1 buckshot load offers IDEAL terminal performance for LE and self-defense use and is the best option for those who need to use shot shells for such purposes.
Below are a couple photos of patterning shots at 7 and 25 yards:
You done good! Did you have to smack anyone at Federal between the eyes with a 2x4 to get them to understand?
It’s disturbing that it took 15 years after Gus Cotey proved the superiority of #1 buckshot.
Why did it take so long? When I spoke to Federal (about 15 years ago - after Cotey’s article was published in WBR) they were more concerned about a market for a #1 buckshot LE/defense load (will it sell?) than in offering a superior terminal ballistics capability.
Well done to both of you, Doc and Mr. Hacklander!!!
Nice, I dig #1 buck for HD already, but loved that Hornady LR TAP 00 patterned like that 25yd photo in my 870 (at 25 yds). Looks like I can have the best of both worlds now!
15 separate .30 cal 14-18" wound channels is about as good as it gets for terminal performance.
Thanks for the info… These loads could be a great resource for officers in departments (such as mine) that do not currently field a patrol rifle program.
One of the things I like about loads like this is that the tight pattern combined with the high pellet count means you can hit low probability fleeting targets more easily, and wreck them when you do.
You don’t always get “center mass” available in a fight, so you shoot what you got until something better shows up, then shoot some more if need be.
Think about those patterns being aimed at a bad guy’s foot/elbow/hand/knee/shoulder because that is what you have available sticking out from around cover.
