What is buckshot?

Answer 1

Buckshot is a type of shot which is designed to be used for large game. "Shot" is simply a term used to describe the small lead pellets packed into a shotgun shell. Larger pellets pack more of a punch, and may require a larger weapon, while smaller pellets are much weaker, and can be fired from smaller weapons. The type of shot required depends on the intended use; birdshot, for example, is very small shot designed to be used in hunting birds. Birdshot would be largely useless against larger prey, while buckshot could potentially vaporize a bird.

A shotgun pellet has a rather unique and interesting design. Unlike a bullet, which consists of a hunk of lead or other metal designed to very precisely penetrate a target, shot is designed to scatter, increasing the chances that something will be hit, while decreasing the power of the weapon used to fire the shot. Typically, shot is packed into a cartridge which also includes gunpowder and wadding; people can pack their own cartridges, or purchase them from companies which specialize in making ammunition.