Shot

From GunCounter

Spherical pieces of metal used as the projectiles launched from shotguns.  Shotgun shells contain several pieces of shot and when fired they disperse or spread out into a pattern.

Shot shells contain different sizes and quantities of shot depending on the use of the round in question.

There are six types of shot in general use:

1. Dead soft lead: This is the standard loading, consisting of dead soft round lead balls; typically 9-12 in 00 buck 2-3/4”

2. Copper plated lead: Lower toxicity with a harder surface. These loads spread slightly more, and do not deform as much on impact

3. Solid copper shot: This is a low toxicity shot, usually only used in BB size or smaller. It is almost exclusively used for Waterfowling. This shot is substantially less dense than lead shot, and spreads to a far greater degree. It is almost always loaded in 3"shells, to compensate for the lower density with higher volume.

4. Steel shot: This is shot specifically intended for Waterfowling; which may or may not be plated with brass, copper, or some other coating. This spreads out more than lead, but less than copper, and does not deform on impact. It is also usually loaded in 3” shells.

5. Bismuth shot: Another non toxic shot type, this is often used in spreader loads, as square or rectangular shot which spreads out more aerodynamically, or with special wads. Some states specify bismuth shot only for Waterfowling. This is also used mostly in 3” shells

6. Tungsten: This is non-toxic shot which is actually heavier and denser than lead. It produces extremely tight patterns unless spreader loads are used. It is VERY expensive (appx. 3 times the cost of standard shells), but also very effective. This is probably the best non-toxic alternative shot to lead for Waterfowling purposes in states that require such.

Taken from a Gun Thing article written by Chris Byrne...

Submitted by SeekHer