- 01: Introduction
- 02: History
- 03: Propellants, Firearms, and Ammunition Development
- 04: Modern Firearms Manufacture
- 05: Small Arms Ammunition
- 06: Evidence Handling Procedures
- 07: Equipment and Instrumentation
- 08: Examination of Firearms
- 09: Cartridge and Shotshell Examination
- 10: Characterization and Evaluation of Fired Projectiles
- 11: Bullet Comparison and Identification
- 12: Gunshot Residue and Distance Determination
- 13: Toolmark Identification
- 14: Communicating Results
- Resources
Shot Pellets
Home > Characterization and Evaluation of Fired Projectiles > Examination > Shot Pellets
Weight
One method of determining shot size is the calculation of average pellet weight. This is the method of choice if deformation has occurred.
The steps for this procedure are as follows:
- Perform preliminary procedures.
- Record the total number of pellets received.
- Determine the composition of the pellets received.
- Determine the total number of pellets suitable for weighing.
- Note whether or not all of the pellets appear to be similar. If not, group them accordingly.
- For each type of pellet present, weigh pellets together for total weight in grains or grams.
- Divide the total weight of pellets by the total number weighed to obtain an average pellet weight.
- Determine the shot size based on the average pellet weight of the evidence shot by comparing to a standard table of shot sizes.
- The weight of evidence pellets can also be directly compared to the weight of standards using the same number of pellets until a similar known weight is obtained.
Click here to view a table of Buck Shot Sizes and Weights.
