What are shot pellets commonly made from in shotgun ammunition?

The material commonly used for shot pellets in shotgun ammunition is lead. Lead has been the traditional choice because it is dense, which allows for good energy transfer upon impact and helps achieve effective patterns for shooting. Additionally, lead pellets are relatively cost-effective to produce and provide reliable performance in various shotgun applications.

Other materials, such as steel, have become popular as alternatives due to environmental concerns and regulations regarding lead use, especially in waterfowl hunting areas. Steel shots are lighter and tend to require a larger size to achieve similar effectiveness as lead. Although copper can be used for some applications, including certain types of projectiles, it is not typically used for shot pellets in shotgun shells. Plastic is primarily used in the construction of shotgun wads and shell casings rather than for the pellets themselves. Hence, lead remains the standard material for shot pellets in most shotgun ammunition.