A company called SlapShot USA has developed quite interesting shotgun slug concept. Their slugs are called Precision Home Defense (PHD) slugs. They are made of a proprietary polymer material and loaded to achieve a quite high muzzle velocity of 3000 fps. Besides being extremely fast, these slugs also have an adaptability feature which SlapShot USA calls Mechanically Adaptable Projectile (MAPX).

The idea behind the MAPX projectiles is that there is a hollow point slug and there are separate cores that are inserted into the projectile’s cavity. Depending on the core configuration the performance of the slug changes as shown in the images below.

In order to have a maximum expansion in hydraulic media and minimum penetration, the slug cavity must be left empty.

If the cavity is completely filled with a metal core, it will enhance the penetrating capabilities of the slug.

Inserting a smaller metal core and locating it towards the tip will shift the center of mass of the slug to the front. The center of mass is indicated by the small black and white circle.

Placing the short core all the way down the cavity shifts the center of mass to the tail of the slug.

The last two options allow tuning the slug to desired flight characteristics and terminal performance. If you want to learn more about these slugs, you can find the test documentation by clicking here.

The shorter cores are basically threaded into the cavity as shown in the video below.

The SlapShot USA has designed two versions of PHD slugs – with .250″ and .125″ hollow cavity diameters which are called PHD-250 and PHD-125 respectively. The weight of projectiles varies from 105 to 193 grains depending on its configuration.

PHD-250 (left) and PHD-125 (right)

The company also states that these are designed to be spin stabilized slugs, which means they should be fired in rifled barrels. SlapShot USA loads these slugs in 3″ 12 gauge shells. The availability and pricing information can be found on their website.

Here is also a video showing the terminal performance on a block of ballistic gel.

And another test showing the PHD-250 shot at a liver placed over a 3/8″ plywood board.

The result of the above test was unexpected even for the inventors of these slugs – Randy Teig and his son Adam Teig. Here is how Randy describes it:

I used a liver because it is said to be the most vulnerable organ to pressure waves. I was surprised and amazed when the pressure wave made a hole through the 3/8 plywood the same size as the liver.

The company also has a similar slug coming in 2018 which will be even faster – 3500 fps!

Overall, this concept looks very interesting and intriguing to me. I wonder what results can be achieved if applying the same concept to handgun and rifle ammunition.

Is it just me or you would also love to see TAOFLEDERMAUS testing these slugs?