Shot
Shot is a general term for projectiles launched from firearms, or possibly rockets, which are made of solid material rather than a filled warhead. Shotguns, while they can fire solid slugs, usually fire multiple pellets from one propelling cartridge. Larger artillery pieces may also fire solid projectiles; this was the first type of ammunition for artillery, and still has a role in certain applications against armor.
The term is also used to refer to a single firing of a firearm, and as a measure of alcoholic beverages (e.g., a "shot" of tequila).
Shot numbers
In the U.S., the number of pellets in a given type of shotgun shell is defined by a shot number. There are two series, birdshot and the larger buckshot. In general, the larger the number, the smaller the pellet.
| Shot number | Diameter in inches (caliber) | Number of lead pellets per pound | Number of steel pellets per pound |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | .05 | 2,385 | N/A |
| 9 | .08 | 586 | N/A |
| 8 | .09 | 410 | 577 |
| 8 | .09 | 410 | 577 |
| 7 1/2 | .095 | 350 | 490 |
| 7 | .10 | 300 | 425 |
| 6 | .11 | 225 | 317 |
| 5 | .12 | 170 | 243 |
| 4 | .13 | 135 | 192 |
| 3 | .14 | N/A | 154 |
| 2 | .15 | 90 | 125 |
| 1 | .16 | N/A | 103 |
| B | .17 | N/A | 86 |
| BB | .18 | 50 | 72 |
| BBB | .19 | N/A | 61 |
| T | .20 | N/A | 53 |
| Size | Diameter (caliber) | Number per pound |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | .24 | |
| 3 | .25 | |
| 1 | .30 | |
| 0 | .32 | |
| 00 | .33 | |
| 000 | .36 |