Frag-12 Exploding Shotgun Shell

Am Shooting Journal ^ | 12/17/2018 | C Cocoles

[w1n1]

We all like to see things go kaboom and like shooting a shotgun.
So, did you know theres an exploding shotgun round that can satisfy this passion?
Well I introduce to you the Frag12 T17 12 GAUGE High Explosive (HE) round.
The concept is the same as the 40mm HE round thats fired from the military M-203 grenade launcher.
In this case the shotgun slug Frag12 projectile is embedded into the slug.
Once the primer is hit the projectile is launched and the warhead arms itself at 3 meters while in flight and detonates upon impact.
There are three different types of projectile encased inside a 12 gauge shotgun shell:
-Armor piercing
-Fragmentation
-High Explosive
The FRAG-12 HE-AP round incorporates a shaped charge to allow it to penetrate 1/2-inch steel armor plate. Maximum effective range is 175 meters.

According to the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL) they stated, "the main reason for experimentation [with the FRAG-12 ammo family] is to examine these rounds as potential improvements to the combat-effectiveness of shotguns in urban areas [for urban warfare operations], using shotguns for stopping vehicles [vehicle interdiction] at roadblocks and checkpoints, barricade attack, and remote probing of potential Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)." Read the rest of Frag-12 exploding shotgun shell.

[Carriage Hill]

Probably not going to find these anywhere for retail sale. Experimental Cartridge Company, Ltd. and Action Manufacturing Inc. only work for US Gov’t, and it’s US Military issue only, for now.

[Chainmail]

I have worked on some really cool stuff over the years - but you’re right; I probably don’t have any enemies!

[Carriage Hill]

Right here:

https://www.margosupplies.com/usa/12-gage-shellcrackers

[Widget Jr]

I have a few questions.

Do you know if these are still in production, or has this been shelved?

Do you know if any police or military unit ever fired these in a combat situation, not just testing? If so, what were the results?

How do you think these rounds could work in real world situations, not like on the Discovery channel documentaries or in movies?

[Chainmail]

1. They have never been in production: each round was a hand-built prototype. I left the company at least 11 years ago, so I don’t know their current status. I do know that it was a privately owned Brit company that screwed over the guy that hired me - so I quit back then.

2. While I was with them, we demonstrated them to the army and the Marine Corps battle labs but no police organizations I was aware of.

3. If they get confirmed as safe under military specs, they would be extremely useful for military applications - particularly urban combat. They are really effective at opening doors at long distances.

[BTerclinger]

( : >)

[jim_trent]

Nobody here has ever modified a 12ga slug when they were a kid by drilling a shallow hole in the front and pressing in a .22 rimfire blank in it? Fun for a few shots, but not impressive enough to continue to do the work for more.

[Squantos]

.....no worries , all my enemies are dead. Poor boy version we’ve used was a cut 12 ga #4 buck that flew as a complete package till it hit a hard surface near or behind the soft pink target . Then theres the Mk 211 Raufaus we use in our M82A1 / M107’s ...... if you want to go through cover to said soft pink target...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raufoss_Mk_211

Stay Safe !

[Doc91678]

Sounds good to me... the physics of creating a cartridge of that lethality, stability and accuracy is way beyond my kin. Yet again getting that all into such a small package less than 3.5 inches is fantastic.

[BTerclinger]

Ouch!

[broken_arrow1]

Great for hog hunting...

[HeadOn]

I understand Dick’s is going to stop selling water guns by first quarter 2019. Next is anything with “bungee” in the name, because you could rearrange the letters and spell “gun”.