AFTE Store - The Analysis and Comparison of Shotshell Buffers

Contemporary American shotshells loaded with buckshot typically contain a white granular plastic material which occupies the spaces between the pellets. This started as far back as 1968 with Winchester=s Double X loads. The purpose of this material is to cushion and protect the pellets during the accelerative forces of discharge so that they emerge from the muzzle of the gun with much less deformation than they would otherwise experience. This, in turn improves ballistic performance. A number of other loadings containing relatively large shot are also available with the materials as are a number of solid slug loads. This material emerges from the muzzle of the gun unchanged in physical form and composition. Its presence on the clothing of a gunshot victim or in or around a wound represents useful trace evidence. This paper describes the general nature and composition of these products and a simple analytical method for their analysis and comparison.