This was done to insure that these suggestions would not lead the readers of Guns and Shooting Online astray.įor most shooting there is a limited range of shot sizes that are acceptable. Here are some shot size recommendations based on my personal experience and research, supplanted by and cross-checked against the information presented by the big loading companies. Always use lead shot (or tungsten alloy shot, which is ballistically similar) whenever possible. Lead shot is superior ballistically, hits harder, penetrates deeper, breaks targets more decisively and kills better than steel shot. Here is the average pellet count in one ounce of steel shot of various selected sizes, also courtesy of the Winchester Ammunition 2004 Product Guide:īBB - 62, BB - 72, 1 - 103, 2 - 125, 3 - 158, 4 - 192, 5 - 243, 6 - 315.
Here is the average pellet count in one ounce (28.35 grams) of 3% antimony, 97% lead shot of various selected sizes, courtesy of the Winchester Ammunition 2004 Product Guide:īB - 50, 2 - 87, 4 - 135, 5 - 170, 6 - 225, 7-1/2 - 350, 8 - 410, 8-1/2 - 497, 9 - 585. Here they are, courtesy of the Federal Ammunition Catalog:īBB. Perhaps it might be worthwhile to start by listing the nominal diameter of the various common sizes of shot as manufactured in the U.S. Most of the major ammunition catalogs, specifically including those published by Federal, Remington and Winchester, as well as a number of books about arms and ammunition, publish general information about steel and lead shot and make recommendations concerning the appropriate shot sizes for various purposes.
Shot Pellet Information and Recommendations