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Shotgun cartridge
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<p>A shotgun cartridge, shotshell, or shell is a type of <a href="/facts/Rim_(firearms)/Vho5vaS7">rimmed</a>, <a href="/facts/Cylindrical/0wQPPr3k">cylindrical</a> (straight-walled) <a href="/facts/Cartridge_(firearms)/vjkWaDjM">ammunition</a> used specifically in <a href="/facts/Shotgun/tGxz1bqj">shotguns</a>. It is typically loaded with numerous small, spherical sub-<a href="/facts/Projectile/kaDpG3N7">projectiles</a> called <a href="/facts/Shot_(pellet)/DR9Gf5qm">shot</a>. Shotguns typically use a <a href="/facts/Smoothbore/T6z0unC3">smoothbore</a> barrel with a <a href="/facts/Choke_(firearms)/DHXVedr3">tapered constriction at the muzzle</a> to regulate the extent of <a href="/facts/Shot_grouping/AKUN7KV0">scattering</a>. </p><p>Some cartridges contain a single solid projectile known as a <a href="/facts/Shotgun_slug/eqPf0L1j">slug</a> (sometimes fired through a <a href="/facts/Rifling/63UWYEdX">rifled</a> <a href="/facts/Slug_barrel/xCNqLLNk">slug barrel</a>). The <a href="/facts/Cartridge_(firearms)/vjkWaDjM">casing</a> usually consists of a <a href="/facts/Paper_cartridge/ewFkecDc">paper</a> or <a href="/facts/Polymer-cased_ammunition/nxumXqBe">plastic tube</a> with a metallic base containing the <a href="/facts/Primer_(firearms)/AcMqsCQR">primer</a>. The shot charge is typically contained by <a href="/facts/Wadding/NbcPw5Pn">wadding</a> inside the case. The <a href="/facts/Caliber/q4hhaID2">caliber</a> of the cartridge is known as its <a href="/facts/Gauge_(firearms)/4uN6v9Jw">gauge</a>. </p><p>The projectiles are traditionally made of <a href="/facts/Lead/EYljasJN">lead</a>, but other <a href="/facts/Metal/PT8hNX6R">metals</a> like <a href="/facts/Steel/aN6qWo4H">steel</a>, <a href="/facts/Tungsten/WYwbNDYX">tungsten</a> and <a href="/facts/Bismuth/75FLjkoX">bismuth</a> are also used due to <a href="/facts/Lead/EYljasJN">restrictions on lead</a>, or for performance reasons such as achieving higher shot velocities by reducing the mass of the shot charge. Other unusual projectiles such as <a href="/facts/Saboted/RC4sYMTf">saboted</a> <a href="/facts/Flechette/lPwq62Ko">flechettes</a>, <a href="/facts/Riot_gun/WDWq3ANA">rubber balls</a>, <a href="/facts/Rock_salt/9xEEKKT8">rock salt</a> and <a href="/facts/Magnesium/XyIhd2FG">magnesium</a> shards also exist. Cartridges can also be made with <a href="/facts/Shotgun/tGxz1bqj">specialty</a> <a href="/facts/Non-lethal_weapon/bT9u5FBH">non-lethal</a> projectiles such as <a href="/facts/Baton_round/2McJvY9U">rubber</a> and <a href="/facts/Bean_bag_round/9vq2jPm5">bean bag rounds</a>. </p><p>Shotguns have an <a href="/facts/Effective_range/3bCKFJQS">effective range</a> of about 35 m (38 yd) with <a href="/facts/Buckshot/YABrvUeX">buckshot</a>, 45 m (49 yd) with <a href="/facts/Birdshot/YABrvUeX">birdshot</a>, 100 m (110 yd) with slugs, and well over 150 m (160 yd) with saboted slugs in <a href="/facts/Slug_barrel/xCNqLLNk">rifled barrels</a>. </p><p>Most shotgun cartridges are designed to be fired from a <a href="/facts/Smoothbore/T6z0unC3">smoothbore</a> barrel, as "shot" would be spread too wide by rifling. A rifled barrel will increase the accuracy of <a href="/facts/Sabot_(firearms)/RC4sYMTf">sabot</a> slugs, but makes it unsuitable for firing shot, as it imparts a spin to the shot cup, causing the shot cluster to disperse. A rifled slug uses rifling on the slug itself so it can be used in a smoothbore shotgun. </p>