Definition: Metal pellets, usually used in shotgun cartridges. These spherical projectiles vary in size, from tiny fractions of an inch up to a third of an inch, plus a little. They are fired in multiples, their charges measured in ounces and fractions thereof. The shot is loaded frontmost in a shotgun shell, with one or more buffers (or "wads") between the powder charge and the shot charge.
A typical 12 gauge shotshell loaded with 00 (double ought) buckshot will contain nine pellets, whereas a shell loaded with bird shot may contain hundreds of much smaller pellets.
Lethality and range varies with shot size, with larger, heavier shot naturally carrying its more considerable energy farther than smaller pellets.
Shot shells are also available for .22 caliber rimfire guns and for handguns, though their performance is marginal at best. They are meant for very close range use on small and/or hard-to-hit vermin such as rats and snakes.
Pronunciation: shot (That was easy.) (noun)
Also Known As: Bird shot, Buckshot, Pellets
Examples: The load of shot took the dove down cleanly.
