SlapShot LEM230 vs The Other Guys

We at SlapShot USA have been working on a law enforcement ammunition project. The agency involved has asked that we complete some specific tests. We have been posting ongoing updates related to this project at slapshotammunition.com. The tests include penetration when fired from a 10 inch smooth bore shotgun at 20 meters, and accuracy at 20 meters (22yards). The tests were done on two different days one day below 40 degrees and the other just above 50 degrees. The temperature is relevant because temperature can impact ammunition and firearm performance.

The first test was simple enough, they asked us to shoot an engine block to see if the slug had adequate power to effectively penetrate an engine block. With the help of some friends we were able to get a cast iron engine block and a fully assembled BMW engine. We fired the LEM230 at both targets and we shot a popular lead, rifled slug round to compare performance.

Ammunition Specifications Below:

LEM 230 Slug

12g 2.75 inch, .73 caliber 1/2oz lead free slug, 2300 FPS

The SlapShot LEM230 penetrated the aluminum engine block. The round hole shows the slug is stable out of the10 inch smooth bore. The shooter advises the slug hit exactly where the red dot was aimed. We did not disassemble the engine to examine the internals but we were able to determine conclusively the slug penetrated into the case where the piston, rod, and crank shaft would have been severely damaged.

Lead Rifled Slug

12g 2.75 inch, Rifled 1 oz lead slug, 1600 FPS

Shooting from the same10 inch smooth bore shotgun the lead slug pushed in some of the material at the point of impact but bounced off the engine. It appears the slug was unstable at 25 yards, apparently hitting the engine side first. It looks like the slug impact did penetrate the water jacket adjacent to the cylinder. The shooter said the impact was several inches to the left of the point of aim.

LEM 230 Slug

Using the 10 inch smooth bore shotgun at 20 meters the LEM230 round penetrated the cast iron engine block through the cylinder wall. We chose not to attempt to use the 1 oz lead rifled slug due to the amount of spalling when we shot the aluminum engine block. Also, we did not think it would penetrate the cast iron engine block if it could not penetrate the aluminum block.

Accuracy

We were asked to shoot an 8 round pattern less than 3 inches in diameter at 20 meters with a Genesis 12 AR shotgun with a 10" inch smooth bore barrel. After reviewing methods used for measuring groups by several major manufacturers we found that the most common method measures the group from the centers.

We measured the widest points of the group at the outer edge of the holes and subtracted the dimeter of one slug. At 20 meters we shot the pictured 8 round, 2.5 inch group from the Genesis 10 inch smooth bore. For a control group we shot a 5 round 1.77 inch group from a fully rifled 22” Savage 212 shotgun. (See the Winchester site for measuring groups)

The size of the slug adds some difficulty to achieving a sub three inch group. Also, using a semiautomatic shotgun with a 10 inch smooth bore barrel adds more potential factors that can impact accuracy. The lead rifled slug performed poorly. Shot to shot accuracy was erratic and eight rounds was producing large groups with the slug hitting side first.

NOTE: We used the Winchester site to gather information. This does not imply we used Winchester ammunition. We trusted they know what they are doing, and we verified other major manufacturers use the same method.

Genesis 12 10” AR

Our test shooter used the pictured Genesis shotgun for the testing discussed in this article. It is equipped with a Holoson optic allowing for a red or green dot and reticle. With the newest Genesis follower in a five round magazine the shells fed reliable and ejected consistently, landing about 15 feet to the right of the shooter. This Genesis was fitted with an upgraded trigger that was crisp and made shooting much easier.

We also broke out a couple other quality shotguns for testing our LEM230. The Benelli M4, Mossberg 940 Pro, and Savage 212 bolt action with fully rifled barrel. We had a little trouble with the optic on the Mossberg so we stopped after firing a half dozen rounds. I can say that the Mossberg trigger was good, and the recoil was a little rougher than the Genesis shotgun.

The Benelli, and the Savage 212 both shot sub 3” groups at 20 meters. Recoil was a little rough with the Benelli. I am guessing the increased perceived recoil is due to the gun being lighter, the butt pad being harder, and the barrel being 8 inches longer than the Genesis.

The Benelli was new and I thought the trigger was a little narrow and heavy which made it uncomfortable compared to the trigger on the Genesis and the Savage. The trigger on the Benelli was crisp. I am told by SWAT operators in our testing circle the trigger improves with time. The Savage 212 is designed for hunting has an adjustable trigger that is crisp and this Savage’s trigger was set up to break at 2.5 pounds. We have the Savage in the testing arsenal for developing extended range breaching, and shooting control groups with our various ammo configurations because it is reliable and accurate.

What is SlapShot Technology

Our company, SlapShot USA is named after the ammunition we created. The science behind “SlapShot” is a principle of physics. With whatever gauge or caliber of projectile we create we strive for the widest profile for the gauge or caliber that we can make fly as fast as possible. The combination of materials, mechanical adaptations (patented) and profile work together to move energy from the projectile to the target extremely fast. The mechancial adaptations enable adjustments and adaptation to the target being impacted. The more of the projectile that impacts at the same time the faster energy moves into the target. Projectiles of same mass and velocity have the same theoretical kinetic energy. With the wide impact surface of slapshot projectile and the high velocity the manner of energy propagation upon impact is slapshot technology. The spherical pressure bubble created in 20% gel demonstrates the power. The primary difference is how fast the energy moves from the projectile to the target. The 73 caliber projectile will move the energy into the target faster than the .22 caliber projectile, even at identical velocity and mass.

The effective difference is comparable to slowly poring a 100 pounds of sand over your head from ten feet high or dropping a 100 pound block on your head at 10 feet. Because the head is exposed to the total energy of the block over a shorter time or at a faster rate, the block will cause more damage than the sand. With the sand scenario spreading the energy over a longer period reduces the rate the same energy is moved into your head. The SlapShot tech is intended for shorter range. In short, the faster the projectile is capable of dispensing energy into a target, the faster energy bleeds off when traveling through atmosphere. The slower a projectile bleeds off energy during flight the slower the energy will pass into the target. We have figured out how to make the slugs travel fast and a material that adds to the speed it flies and the speed it dispenses energy into the target. Even in our hunting slugs we still used the same concepts to create a slug that hits hard at 100 yards. The energy is the same as if it were a smaller diameter profile, same weight, and same speed of a smaller projectile but it punches a larger hole, retains all of its weight and dispenses the energy into the target faster and more efficiently but the wide profile causes energy to bleed off at a faster rate during flight.

Why You Should Care About Over Penetration?

After decades of LE experience I have learned how easily a typical lead or copper projectile can pass through walls of houses and other structures. We have pioneered technology that significantly mitigates the risks associated with defensive or even negligent discharge of firearms. Below are stories of actual incidents:

 March 18, 2019, Longview WA.

The burglar shot the home owner through an open window, striking the homeowner and fired another bullet missing the victim. The second bullet flew through three interior walls, two layers of sheetrock each, and an interior door before lodging in a closet on the other end of the house, according to police.

 November 26, 2014 Raleigh, NC

A 13-year-old soccer player from Lewisville died late Friday after he was hit by a bullet that passed through the wall of a hotel room in Raleigh.

 February 26, 2019 Littleton, MA

"I immediately looked at the wall and looked there and saw the hole. I knew what it was," Chila said. 

A single gunshot was found in their bedroom. "It penetrated another wall, it was stopped by a pole," said Nehrir. The bullet landed feet away from their 5-year-old daughter's bedroom. It happened around 8:30 p.m. on Green Needles Road.  "It went to the back-wall, hit the stud and fell down. You can see where the openings are," Chila said.  Their 63-year-old neighbor was charged with discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, and malicious destruction of property.

 June 29, 2018 Bryan TX

A bullet from a gun that discharged accidentally inside a home in Bryan passed through a wall and struck a passing driver Friday afternoon, leaving the 71-year-old man seriously injured.

The injured driver was taken to CHI St. Joseph Hospital after the freak accident, police said

 April 8, 2019 Buffalo NY

A 12-year-old Buffalo boy who was inside his own home was fatally shot in the head by a stray bullet Saturday night, police said. Bandar Elwaseem was inside his apartment around 8:30 p.m. when he was shot, Buffalo police said Sunday. The bullet that struck Bandar traveled "a considerable distance," police said. He was in the kitchen when he was shot.

 July 5, 2018 Elkhart IN

The search is on for the suspect who opened fire in an Elkhart neighborhood, and sent bullets flying into a home where one of the bullets hit a teenage boy. Neighbors on Garfield Avenue tell ABS 57 News they are worried for the 13-year-old victim and are praying for him to make a full recovery.

 April 29, 2018 West Memphis AR

An Arkansas police officer is dead after a fluke incident in which he was struck by a stray bullet while in his home. An altercation between two groups broke out and shots were fired outside of the officer’s residence, Baker said. Johnson was not the intended target.