AFTE Store - Sawed-Off Shotgun, the Effect of Barrel Length on Shot Pattern Size

A review of forensic literature on the subject of the relationship between shotgun barrel length and shot pattern size revealed a discrepancy in the findings. A test was undertaken to determine what the relationship is, if any, between a shotgun’s barrel length and the size of a shot pattern; that is, as the barrel length of a shotgun is shortened what, if anything, happens to the shot pattern size?