Safe ‘n’ sensible

How far does shot from a 12-bore travel? There is a minor road close to our syndicate shoot, and we don’t wish to alarm people who might be using it.

Mike says:

The accepted down-range safety margin is 300 metres, but the shot will be spent well short of that range, and a person would be extremely unlucky to be injured when hit, unless a pellet struck them in the eye.

There are several factors which govern the distance shot travels. One is the angle at which it is fired – the longest distances are recorded when the barrels are pointed at about 30 degrees. Other factors are wind strength and direction, and atmospheric pressure.

I remember taking part in a 50-bird Sporting competition, and as the day progressed a stiff breeze escalated into a full gale. One of the stands presented low-flying driven pairs coming down-wind, and the stand eventually had to be abandoned because competitors were being hit by their own shot being blown back into their faces.

The other incident I recall was when I interviewed a shooter who had taken part in a FITASC shoot at very high altitude in South Africa’s Drakensburg Mountains.

All the UK competitors were amazed at the long ranges at which they could hit and break clays. The ranges, it seems, were enhanced by the thin-ness of the air.

This latter phenomenon is unlikely to affect us here in Britain, but wind can be a factor – either lengthening or shortening distance travelled. However, if you go for a safety margin of 300 metres you should be okay.