Shotgun Ammunition

Shot Sizes

Shot size is adaptable to the game being hunted. As pellet diameter decreases, more shot can be placed in a standard shotshell load. The smaller the shot number, the larger the shot size.

gauge: Term used to designate bore diameter of a shotgun; gauge is determined by the number of lead balls with diameters equal to the diameter of the bore that, when combined, weigh one pound.

shell length: The length of the shell after it has been fired.