Does anyone make a flared barrel (blunderbuss type) or other shotgun mod for even more spread? Would it be a good idea?
Edit: Seems the shot could be carried in a plastic sabot that is designed to open up and disperse the shot, upon exiting the barrel. I found this patent
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to ammunition for shot-guns, and more particularly to a sabot for a shot-gun shell capable of enhancing shot dispersion.
Conventional shot-gun shells are designed to control shot patterns at ranges of engagement typical of sporting applications. Such engagements vary from a short range of approximately 20 meters, typical of upland game shooting, to extreme ranges of 40-50 meters, typical of water fowling.
Law enforcement agencies have endeavored to exploit the advantages of large shot patterns available from such weapons to improve the effectiveness of law enforcement personnel engaged in close range antipersonnel actions. Current technology, however, has not produced a shot shell and weapon capable of providing a high dispersion of shot at the short ranges typical of building clearing operations, for example. Shooting engagement ranges for such operations are usually on the order of 5 to 15 meters, where shot dispersion pattern diameters range from approximately 5 to 20 centimeters. These small diameter patterns do not materially enhance the probability of hitting the personnel target. In fact single projectile, burst fire and semi-automatic weapons are becoming more popular due primarily to the large dispersion pattern of shots.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a shot shell design which when used in a conventional shot gun will achieve an enhanced pellet dispersion pattern in short-range antipersonnel engagements.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sabot for use in a standard shot shell which enhances pellet dispersion for short-range antipersonnel engagements.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a sabot which deforms after launch as a consequence of existing propellant gases and in such a manner as to release a broad pattern of shot at short range.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a sabot which is launched in a conventional manner and as a consequence of an additional charge is made to deform after launch in such a manner as to release an even broader pattern of shot at short range.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an economical device for enhancing the dispersion of shot without the use of mechanical chokes or similar mechanisms.
These objects and others not specifically enumerated are accomplished with a sabot provided with a recess in its base upon which propellant gases may act to radially expand and flatten the sabot thereby enhancing the dispersion of shot.
In alternate embodiments the recess may be conoidal, parabolic, pyramidal, or an involute surface resembling a cone. The recess may also be comprised of multiple overlapping layers. Each recess provides a unique shot pattern for shortrange antipersonnel engagements.
In other embodiments, the foregoing recesses are provided with grooves to facilitate petalling of the recess and radial expansion or flattening of the sabot during and after launch.
In another embodiment, the recess is filled with propellant and capped with a consumable plug to delay ignition and to increase deformation of the sabot, further enhancing shot dispersion.
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5189251.html
Also interesting shotshells mentioned here
http://www.zombiesurvivalwiki.com/page/Shotgun+Ammo
Skip ahead to 0:38 to see flamethrower shotshell. I suppose utterly impractical but sort of cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzCYFg-gYUk