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Fired Shotshell Components
The construction and components of shotshells are described in depth in Module 5.
Shotshells may be comprised of a number of components:
- Card (paper) or fiber disks
- Plastic wadding components
- Lead, steel, bismuth, or tungsten alloy shot pellets
- Shotgun slugs
- Shot buffer materials (granular plastic particulate)
Wadding Material
The examination of shot wads frequently revolves around a comparison of remaining observable physical characteristics to an unfired laboratory reference standard.
By examining wadding materials, the examiner may be able to determine
- the gauge of the shotgun,
- the manufacturer or marketer,
- a range of possible shot sizes based on impressions in the wad,
- individual characteristics (in some cases).
Paper and fiber wadding materials are similar in appearance across brands.
Wadding materials may include the following:
- Card wad
- Shot collar
- Over-shot wad or top wad
- Under-shot wad
- Filler wad
- Over-powder wad
- Cup wad
Although older fiber and paper wads are no longer widely used, their examination presents several difficulties because they
- tend to absorb body fluids,
- swell beyond their original dimensions,
- often dry without retaining original dimensions,
- are more easily damaged than plastic wadding materials.
Plastic wads are predominately used today.
Types of plastic wadding materials include
- shot protector wad,
- shot collar,
- combination wad.
Examiners should be aware that combinations of plastic and card and fiber wadding materials have been used and continue to be found; these wadding types are not mutually exclusive.
Additional Online Courses
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