Shot range estimation of shotgun grain-loaded cartridges

•Grain-loaded cartridges cause much wider distribution than lead pellet cartridges.•Satellite entry holes were detected in all shots from 50cm distance.•Chokes did not affect the distribution in most of the shots at same distances. Commercial grain-loaded cartridges for shotguns have been recently associated with injuries and fatalities. These cartridges are generally used as a scare gun for large animals, with a little probability of causing harm. Almost all grain-loaded cartridges contain one type of cereal grain, such as bulgur wheat, wheat or vetch seed, instead of lead pellets. Our study aimed to investigate the shot range estimation of grain-loaded cartridges and assess the variations from conventional lead pellet cartridges. In this study, eight different brands of grain-loaded cartridges were used. The inspections and measurements were made with cartridges that contain cereal grains, gunpowder and wads. Shots were made from 50, 100, 200, 300, 500cm with modified and improved cylinder chokes. Diameter of grain distribution patterns on targets were measured. These measurements were evaluated statistically considering brand, choke and distance variables. Both satellite entry holes and central entry holes were detected in all shots that were fired from 50cm distance. The smallest average diameter of grain distribution pattern between 8 different brands were measured as 14.3, 38.3, 58.5 and 83.4cm for 100, 200, 300 and 500cm respectively with modified choke. Gathered data from this study was compared with the studies conducted with conventional cartridges and differences were determined. It was detected that the grain-loaded cartridges showed much wider distribution on targets at the same shooting distance with the same and similar barrel lengths and choke values compared to conventional lead pellet containing cartridges.