Editing Shotgun slug (section)

==Uses==
Shotgun slugs are used to hunt medium to large game at short ranges by firing a single large projectile rather than a large number of smaller ones. In many populated areas, hunters are restricted to shotguns even for medium to large game, such as [[deer]] and [[elk]], due to concerns about the range of modern [[rifle]] bullets. In such cases a slug will provide a longer range than a load of [[buckshot]], which traditionally was used at ranges up to approximately {{convert|25|yd|m|abbr=on}}, without approaching the range  of a rifle. In Alaska, seasoned professional [[guide]]s and wild life officials use [[pump-action]] 12 gauge shotguns loaded with slugs for defense against both black and brown bears under {{convert|50|yd|m|abbr=on}}.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}

Law enforcement officers are frequently equipped with shotguns. In contrast to traditional buckshot, slugs offer benefits of accuracy, range, and increased wounding potential at longer ranges while avoiding stray pellets that could injure bystanders or damage property. Further, a shotgun allows selecting a desired shell to meet the need in a variety of situations. Examples include a less-lethal cartridge in the form of a [[bean bag round]] or other [[Riot shotgun#Less lethal alternatives|less lethal buckshot and slugs]]. A traditional rifle would offer greater range and accuracy than slugs, but without the variety of ammunition choices and versatility.<ref name=intimidator>{{cite journal |url=http://www.policeone.com/police-products/firearms/shotguns/articles/1286216 |title=The Police Shotgun: Versatile, Powerful & Still "The Great Intimidator" |date=July 4, 2007 |author=Bill Campbell |journal=The Police Marksman}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/206089.pdf |title=Impact Munitions Use: Types, Targets, Effects |author=NIJ}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://taser.com/products/law/Pages/XREP.aspx |title=Taser XREP |publisher=TASER International, Inc. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625092359/http://taser.com/products/law/Pages/XREP.aspx |archive-date=June 25, 2009 }}</ref>

===Design considerations===
The mass of a shotgun slug is kept within [[SAAMI]] pressure limits for shot loads in any given shotgun shell load design. Slugs are designed to pass safely through open chokes and should never be fired through tight or unknown barrels. The internal pressure of the shotshell load will actually be slightly higher than the equivalent mass slug projectile load, due to an increased resistance that occurs from a phenomenon known as shot setback. Common 12 gauge slug masses are {{frac|7|8}} oz ({{convert|383|gr|g|abbr=on}}, 1 oz ({{convert|437.5|gr|g|abbr=on}}, and {{frac|1|1|8}} oz ({{convert|492|gr|g|abbr=on}}, the same weight as common birdshot payloads.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home USA {{!}} Brenneke - Ammunition |url=https://www.brennekeusa.com/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=www.brennekeusa.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Shotshell Ammo {{!}} Winchester Ammunition |url=https://winchester.com/en/Products/Ammunition/Shotshell |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=winchester.com |language=en}}</ref>

===Comparisons with rifle bullets===
A 1 oz ({{convert|437.5|gr|g|abbr=on}} {{convert|2.75|in|abbr=on}} Foster [[Gauge (bore diameter)#Conversion guide|12 gauge]] shotgun slug achieves a velocity of approximately {{convert|1560|ft/s|abbr=on}} with a muzzle energy of {{convert|2363|ftlbf|abbr=on}}. {{convert|3|in|abbr=on}} slugs travel at around {{convert|1760|ft/s|abbr=on}} with a muzzle energy of {{convert|3105|ftlbf|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chuckhawks.com/shotgun_slugs.htm|title = Shotgun Slugs}}</ref> In contrast, a [[.30-06 Springfield]] bullet weighing {{convert|150|gr|abbr=on}} at a velocity of {{convert|2600|ft/s|abbr=on}} achieves an energy of {{convert|2250|ftlbf|abbr=on}}. A {{convert|180|gr|abbr=on}} bullet at {{convert|2775|ft/s|abbr=on}}, which is a very common 30-06 Springfield load and not its true maximum potential, achieves {{convert|3079|ftlbf|abbr=on}} of energy. Due to the slug's larger caliber and shape, it has greater air resistance and slows down much more quickly than a bullet. It slows to less than half its muzzle energy at {{convert|100|yd|m|abbr=on}}, which is below the minimum recommended energy threshold for taking large game. The minimum recommended muzzle energy is ({{convert|1000|ftlbf|abbr=on}} for deer, {{convert|1500|ftlbf|abbr=on}} for elk, and {{convert|2000|ftlbf|abbr=on}} for moose). A slug also becomes increasingly inaccurate with distance; out to {{convert|300-1000|yd|m|abbr=on}} or more, with a maximum practical range of approximately {{convert|200|yd|m|abbr=on}}. In contrast, [[centerfire]] cartridges fired from rifles can easily travel at longer ranges of {{convert|1000|yd|m|abbr=on}} or more. Shotgun slugs are best suited for use over shorter ranges.

=== Taylor knock-out factor ===
The [[Taylor knock-out factor]] (TKOF) was developed as a measure of [[stopping power]] for hunting game, however it is a rather flawed calculation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Taylor Knock-Out Factor (TKOF) |url=https://www.chuckhawks.com/taylor_KO_factor.htm |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=www.chuckhawks.com}}</ref> It is defined as the product of bullet mass, velocity and diameter, using the imperial units [[Grain (unit)|grains]] (equal to 64.79891&nbsp;mg), [[feet per second]] (equal to 0.3048&nbsp;m/s) and inches (equal to 25.4&nbsp;mm):

: <math>\text{TKOF} = \text{Mass(grains)} \times \text{Velocity(feet per second)} \times \text{Diameter(inches)} \times \frac{1}{7000}.</math>

Some TKOF example values for shotgun slugs are:
* 71 TKOF for a 70&nbsp;mm (2.75 in) slug (i.e. 437.5 grain (1&nbsp;oz) × 1,560 FPS × 0.729 caliber /7000 = 71.07 TKOF)
* 80 TKOF for a 76&nbsp;mm (3 in)  slug (i.e. 437.5 grain (1&nbsp;oz) × 1,760 FPS × 0.729 caliber /7000 = 80.19 TKOF)

To compare with rifles, some TKOF example values for rifle cartridges are:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!rowspan="2"| Stopping<br /> power
!rowspan="2"| Cartridge
!colspan="2"| Bullet mass
!colspan="2"| Muzzle velocity
!colspan="2"| Muzzle energy
|-
! grams
! grains
! m/s
! fps
! joules
! ft-lbs
|-
| 19.6 TKOF
| [[7mm Remington Magnum]]
| {{cvt|10.9|g|gr|disp=table}}
| {{cvt|878|m/s|ft/s|disp=table}}
| {{cvt|4201|J|ftlbf|disp=table}}
|-
| 21.8 TKOF
| [[.30-06 Springfield]]
| {{cvt|11.7|g|gr|disp=table}}
| {{cvt|838|m/s|ft/s|disp=table}}
| {{cvt|4108|J|ftlbf|disp=table}}
|- 
| 25.7 TKOF
| [[.300 Remington Ultra Magnum]]
| {{cvt|11.7|g|gr|round=5|disp=table}}
| {{cvt|988|m/s|ft/s|disp=table}}
| {{cvt|5710|J|ftlbf|disp=table}}
|- 
| 35.2 TKOF
| [[.45-70|.45-70 Government]]
| {{cvt|26.2|g|gr|disp=table}}
| {{cvt|405|m/s|ft/s|disp=table}}
| {{cvt|2149|J|ftlbf|disp=table}}
|-
| 40.7 TKOF
| [[.375 H&H Magnum|.375H&H]]
| {{cvt|19.4|g|gr|round=5|disp=table}}
| {{cvt|760|m/s|ft/s|disp=table}}
| {{cvt|5644|J|ftlbf|disp=table}}
|-
| 47.0 TKOF
| [[.378 Weatherby Magnum]]
| {{cvt|19.4|g|gr|disp=table}}
| {{cvt|892|m/s|ft/s|disp=table}}
| {{cvt|7718|J|ftlbf|disp=table}}
|-
| 57.1 TKOF
| [[.416 Rigby]]
| {{cvt|26|g|gr|disp=table}}
| {{cvt|720|m/s|ft/s|disp=table}}
| {{cvt|6739|J|ftlbf|disp=table}}
|-
| 70.0 TKOF
| [[.458 Winchester Magnum]]
| {{cvt|32.4|g|gr|disp=table}}
| {{cvt|652|m/s|ft/s|disp=table}}
| {{cvt|6887|J|ftlbf|disp=table}}
|-
| 140.7 TKOF
| [[.50 BMG|12.7×99mm NATO]] (.50 BMG)
| {{cvt|42.0|g|gr|disp=table}}
| {{cvt|928|m/s|ft/s|disp=table}}
| {{cvt|18050|J|ftlbf|disp=table}}
|-
| 159.4 TKOF
| [[.600 Nitro Express]]
| {{cvt|58.3|g|gr|disp=table}}
| {{cvt|610|m/s|ft/s|disp=table}}
| {{cvt|10847|J|ftlbf|disp=table}}
|-
|}