Shotshell with Shot Pellets Having Multiple Shapes

Abstract

In at least one embodiment, a shotshell comprises a casing defining an internal chamber, a plurality of first shot pellets within the internal chamber and a plurality of second shot pellets within the internal chamber. The first shot pellets comprise a first shape and the second shot pellets comprise a second shape that is different from the first shape.

1 . A shotshell comprising:
 a casing defining an internal chamber;   a plurality of first shot pellets within the internal chamber, said first shot pellets comprising a first shape; and   a plurality of second shot pellets within the internal chamber, said second shot pellets comprising a second shape that is different from the first shape.   
     
     
         2 . The shotshell of  claim 1 , wherein a drag coefficient of a second shot pellet is greater than a drag coefficient of a first shot pellet. 
     
     
         3 . The shotshell of  claim 2 , wherein an effective drag coefficient of a second shot pellet changes as the second shot pellet tumbles in the air. 
     
     
         4 . The shotshell of  claim 1 , wherein said second shot pellets are non-spherical. 
     
     
         5 . The shotshell of  claim 4 , wherein said first shot pellets are spherical. 
     
     
         6 . The shotshell of  claim 4 , wherein said first shot pellets are non-spherical. 
     
     
         7 . The shotshell of  claim 1 , wherein said second shot pellets comprise a sharp edge. 
     
     
         8 . The shotshell of  claim 1 , wherein said second shot pellets comprise a cylindrical portion. 
     
     
         9 . The shotshell of  claim 1 , wherein said second shot pellets comprise a raised ridge. 
     
     
         10 . The shotshell of  claim 1 , wherein said second shot pellets are asymmetric across at least one axis. 
     
     
         11 . The shotshell of  claim 1 , wherein said first shot pellets comprise 60% of the shot load and said second shot pellets comprise 40% of the shot load. 
     
     
         12 . The shotshell of  claim 1 , wherein said first shot pellets are grouped toward the front of the internal chamber and said second shot pellets are grouped toward the rear of the internal chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The shotshell of  claim 1 , wherein said first shot pellets are grouped toward the rear of the internal chamber and said second shot pellets are grouped toward the front of the internal chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The shotshell of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second shot pellets are evenly distributed throughout the internal chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The shotshell of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second shot pellets are non-toxic. 
     
     
         16 . The shotshell of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second shot pellets comprise steel. 
     
     
         17 . The shotshell of  claim 1 , comprising layers of first shot pellets and second shot pellets. 
     
     
         18 . The shotshell of  claim 1 , wherein the first shot pellets and second shot pellets are commingled within said internal chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The shotshell of  claim 1 , wherein the first shot pellets are radially separated from the second shot pellets.