HUNTINGsmart! USA Knowledge Base
Module 01 - HUNTING BASICS
SHOTSHELLS
A shotgun shell or ‘shotshell’ uses either a slug or shot as projectiles. Both slugs and shot are usually made of lead or steel and are measured by gauge. Shotshells function similarly to cartridges—the firing pin strikes the base of the shell, which crushes the priming compound, causes an explosion and ignites the powder charge. The ignition of the powder charge then forces the projectile(s) out of the barrel.
