idiots with shotguns
 

Our local shoot has a few members who could not hit a pig in an entry. Given that shot will travel a hundred yards, has anyone ever been peppered whilst coming in to land. (entry, a narrow brick sided walkway generally leading front the front to the back of a building).

Sure, lots of times in RVN but mostly with bullets, not birdshot.

Cartridges intended for small bird are unlikely to cause damage (even to get through the skin or transparancies) unless the range is short. Given that, you might just see the idiot when on finals

look out...he's got a shooter!
 

Not shot yet, but shoot clays myself and would say the effective range was nearer 40-50 yards (120 feet), after which the shot pattern (depending on choke) disperses too much to be that effective...Also, the energy of the charge is spread amongst the shot which vary in size, weight, etc (larger shot travels further)...:zzz::zzz::zzz:....sorry bored myself to sleep then:}

I avoid overflying shoots when I can, for the same reason, suspicion that someone might take a potshot and scratch the paintwork.

I would have thought though, approaching to land at 65knots (72mph), unlikely they would swing the gun fast enough (unless pointing straight at you) to give enough 'lead' (infront of the target) to hit.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that Clays are thrown up to 65/66 feet per second (45mph).

Anyhow, if you think they are shooting at you, take a passenger and shoot back - it'll make 'em think twice:ok:

I live in the middle of the local shoot's land and regularly fly through whilst shoots are on. So far no pot shots at me as far as I know but I'm always wary because of the number of birds up. Particularly since I saw a duck go above the cockpit but below the MR. I should imagine it would be a problem if one hit the tail rotor.

I've been hit by a pellet that had travelled a couple of hundred yards. It hit the back of my hand and another pinged off my car as we drove away from a clay shoot. Non event at that range.

I know of people who have been shot at on low approaches to Compton airfield in Los Angeles
I was told the first time i went in there, "keep high until over the fence and take a steep approach in.... the locals don't report noise complaints they just shoot you!!!!"

Chester:ok:

Rule of Thumb, If You Are Interested
 

For spherical projectiles, with especial regard to shotgun pellets, Journee's Formula gives a theoretical maximum range in yards.

It is: 2200 x D = R

where D is diameter of the shot in inches; and
R= range in yards.

#6 birdshot, diameter 0.11 inch, will have a theoretical maximum range of 242 yards; while #8 birdshot, diameter 0.09 inch, will have a theoretical maximum range of 198 yards.

A couple of hundred yard?:rolleyes:

Bird shot will go no where near that range, buck shot a bit over one hundred.
The only thing fired from a shotgun that will make that range is a slug, and you'd know if that hit you.... plus you don't shoot anything but targets and deer with slug.

Silverback is right, even with a small choke your only looking at 55 yards max, fully open choke 35 yard with birdshot.

I've had bird shot come down on me in a field a few times and it's like small hail, doesn't hurt in the slightest, just irritating that the 'tweeds' can't shoot...:}

Unless there sat next you with a shottie I wouldn't worry to much. If you think you have had one fired at you report it straight away, no place for idiots with guns!:mad:

Shotguns?? I rather think that a golf ball would be a greater problem, I have used many golf club sites over the last few years. The thought of a ball through the perspex always occurs to me. I don't think it has ever happened yet........or has it?

Best Wishes

AA

Southern Peninsular Rescue Service Longranger had a golf ball through the tail rotor on take off from a golf course some years ago. Didn't do the T/R much good :ooh:

Arismount.....I think you're missing a few more variables in your equation there ;)

I could savagely bore you with the correct answer.....but I'm retired now and vowed never to re-live the horror that was Shrivenham ballistics LMAO

What about Door hinges, engine blocks? I've also seen the results of human/solid shot interaction.... quite effective :)

(Kosovan dogs didn't like them either come to mention it lol)

Was talking about what we're allowed to use and shoot in th UK....

Buck shot is better for door hinges and locks anyway :p
You shoot a slug with muzzle to the door and its going straight through the next wall!

Yeah a slug would sort out an engine block mind... And yes a human shot with a slug would be effective, if not a little messy....

Think this thread is taking a turn in the wrong direction! :}

And I agree Arismount has got something very wrong in that formula! Show me a shotgun that can fire any number bird shot at 242 yards and I'll buy one!.... You'd be a very rich man mate....
(That doesn't mean go and put 5 times the amount of powder in a shell to try it!:E)

Definitely a turn for the worst R44 Pilot LOL


However.......would have to disagree with the buckshot for doors/hinges - Hatton rounds are the way forward :) Breaching round - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Buckshot lacks the kinetic energy to be truely effective (God I'm such a spotter! Note to self...must stop - now)

I did like 12g Magnum loaded with a single steel ball bearing, myself. Slight issue of over-penetration in some cases.

However the kick was something else.

Shotguns not really my thing, though. I used one of these for Practical Pistol until UK mainland banned all pistols JPP Imports - ET Masters

Now, launching a 4" clay over the shooter's right sholder, and taking it from the holster with a .38 Super - that was a challenge!

Happy days!

Sigh!!

The 50g Italian RC90's used for Geese can take a bird out of the sky at 100yds easy peasy, not much of a problem around clay shoots of course...

R 44 sorry I didn't measure out the exact distance:hmm:

R44 i take it you would be happy to drop your trousers and bend over and let me have a shot at you at 100 yards ??!!! If you can kill a bird ( partridge lets say ) at 80 yards ( 32gram 4 shot ) then i think you would get a pretty sore arse at just 20 yards more !!!

On the golf ball theme, remember many years ago doing a short flying course at Plymouth airport (Roborough) in a Chipmunk. Pinned on the wall in the crewroom was an incident signal which described an ac recovering from a PFL over a golf course that was struck by a golf ball on the rear fuselage leaving a small dent.