Not to long ago I had the opportunity to go varmint calling with Richard Weltsch (AZOD Field Writer) and Mr. Crazy himself, Ted Scholl (AZOD Off Road Staff Writer). Several stand set-ups produced nothing. Temperatures were rising so the calling gear was put away and the search for shade and lunch began.

After a cool simple lunch Ted laid down the challenge, "Betcha can’t hit that rock out there with your pistol". The setting was a natural shooting range and basically I hate being told I can’t do something (oh, like you do!). On the first shot the little white rock exploded. The onslaught of try this, hit that, had all three of us trying out different guns and loads.

Working at Randall’s Firearms I’m called upon from time to time to try out different guns and equipment. This time it was a Glock 17 high capacity magazine. I was shooting different factory loads using 5, 10, and 15 rounds at a time, checking for jamming problems due to a weak spring.

I set up about 25 yards from an old dead tree with Richard and Ted behind me. Loading the mag with 17 rounds I was prepared for a rapid fire test. Pulling the trigger as fast as I could, pieces of the old tree were flying and brass was flying. Then I caught a glimpse of a shiny object flying back by me. I stopped shooting and Ted yelled out, "Hey, what was that?" The CCI Gold Dot 124 grain slugs had not penetrated the dead tree at all, but stripped off the old bark and bounced back heading right at us.

Ted pulled his shirt open quickly revealing a ½" diameter red welt just over his heart. Now Ted is laughing and saying, "Hey, you shot me" (see why we call him Crazy Ted). Scared to the point of shaking I suggested that we put everything away, thank God we were all safe, and head home.

The ride home brought up the conversation of self-defense loads and their ‘real’ penetration capabilities. And no, the rumor that Richard and I immediately started dividing up Ted’s stuff is a lie…we gave it all back to you Ted!



Look for an upcoming story on self-defense loads with real velocity and penetration results.

Gary McCraw
Shooting Editor

Shooting@azod.com