Brenneke slug

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The Brenneke(r) slug is a type of shotgun slug designed to be fired from smoothbore barrels.

[edit] History and design

The Brenneke slug is similar in appearance to a rifled Foster slug. The Brenneke slug was developed by Wilhelm Brenneke in 1898. The original Brenneke slug is a solid lead slug with fins cast onto the outside, much like a rifled Foster slug. There's a plastic, felt or cellulose fiber wad attached to the base that remains attached after firing. This wad serves both as a gas seal and as a form of drag stabilization, much like the mass-forward design of the Foster slug. The fins serve to provide spin after the slug exits the barrel, and also provide an easily deformed surface to allow the slug to pass through choked shotgun barrels.

[edit] Use and availability

Since the Brenneke slug is solid, rather than hollow like the Foster slug, the Brenneke will generally deform less on impact and provide deeper penetration (see terminal ballistics). The sharp shoulder and flat front of the Brenneke mean that its external ballistics restrict it to short range use, as it does not hold velocity well. The Brenneke slug in 12 gauge is well suited for large and dangerous game at close ranges, and deer sized game or antipersonnel use out to about 100 yards (meters). Brenneke slugs are somewhat more accurate than the Foster slugs, but are usually more expensive.

Brenneke slugs are often used by police equipped with riot shotguns. Even out of a smoothbore barrel, the slugs will provide accuracy sufficient for antipersonnel use out to ranges about 100 yards (90 meters). This allows the officer the ability to use the shotgun as a reasonable substitute for a rifle at medium ranges.

Brenneke slugs are loaded by a number of different makers. Recently Brenneke company in Hanover, Germany started marketing loaded ammunition, with Brenneke type slugs, saboted slugs, and buckshot.