Shot cup

Abstract

A shot cup 20 for a shotgun cartridge 10 is disclosed which is made of paper or other biodegradable fibrous material. The shot cup 20 serves to contain shot 26, particularly non-lead shot which may be abrasive, during firing, and to prevent such shot contacting the gun barrel.

1 . A shot cup for shotgun ammunition, comprising a base wall structure and a side wall structure upstanding from the periphery of the base wall structure, characterised in that the shot cup is made of a biodegradable fibre composition.  
     
     
         2 . The shot cup of    claim 1   , wherein the shot cup is made of paper.  
     
     
         3 . A shot cup according to    claim 1   , wherein said biodegradable fibre composition is so made as to enhance its propensity for mechanical, biological or other breakdown when exposed to outdoors environmental conditions.  
     
     
         4 . A shotgun cartridge comprising a cartridge casing, a propellant charge within the casing, a shot cup in front of the propellant charge, and shot within the shot cup, the shot cup being made of a biodegradable fibre composition.  
     
     
         5 . The cartridge of    claim 4   , wherein said shot cup is made of paper.  
     
     
         6 . A shotgun cartridge according to    claim 4   , wherein said shot comprises pellets each comprising particles of dense material in a plastics matrix.  
     
     
         7 . A shotgun cartridge according to    claim 6   , wherein said pellets each comprise particles of dense metal in a plastics matrix.  
     
     
         8 . A shotgun cartridge according to    claim 7    wherein said pellets each comprise particles of tungsten in a plastics matrix.