Firing Distance Estimates with Pellet Dispersion from Shotgun with Various Chokes: An Experimental, Comparative Study

Arslan, Muhammet Mustafa; Kar, Hakan; Üner, Bülent; Çetin, Gürsel

doi:10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.01761.x

Cited by 10 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…It is also important to note that we shot turkeys an additional time in the breast during harvest, which is uncommon among normal turkey-hunting practices. However, while hunters typically only shoot turkeys in the head/neck area (Keck and Langston 1992), due to the spread of a shotgun pattern (Arslan et al 2011), multiple pellets often unintentionally impact the breast muscle tissue. Further, most other species of game birds are harvested while flying and are much smaller than wild turkeys, making it common for multiple pellets to impact the breast muscle (Burger et al 1998;Johansen et al 2001).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lead Contamination Differences in the Muscle of Wild Turkeys Harvested with Lead and Copper-Plated Lead Shot

Tisdale

Martin

Beasley

2021

Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management

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Despite the known deleterious effects lead exposure can have on humans, lead remains the most common type of ammunition used to harvest big game and upland game birds. We sampled wild turkey Meleagris gallopavo breast muscle shot with standard lead and copper-plated lead pellets to quantify lead residue concentrations within the wound channel, and we sampled multiple adjacent locations to measure the extent lead contamination spreads through tissue of harvested turkeys. We found that samples taken from the wound channel contained more lead (mean = 3.76 μg/g dry weight) than both samples taken adjacent to the wound channel (mean = 0.20 μg/g dry weight) and samples taken from >5 cm away (mean = 0.15 μg/g dry weight). Additionally, we found that birds harvested with standard lead ammunition did not differ in lead concentrations from those shot with copper-plated lead, suggesting that copper plating does not aid in reducing lead exposure. Our findings suggest that wild turkeys harvested with either lead or copper-plated lead shot have the potential to expose consumers, especially children due to their lower tolerance, to low levels of lead that could exceed daily consumption limits set by the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control. However, elevated lead levels were confined to the wound channel, and thus proper preparation of game to remove tissue surrounding wound channels may eliminate or substantially reduce lead exposure from harvested game birds.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lead Contamination Differences in the Muscle of Wild Turkeys Harvested with Lead and Copper-Plated Lead Shot

Tisdale

Martin

Beasley

2021

Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management

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“…In their study, Arslan et al showed that the distribution of pellets on a target surface depends on factors such as the type and caliber of the weapon, the length and diameter of the barrel, the degree of choke, the type of the gunpowder and the loading of the shotshell, as well as the environmental conditions that were present at the time of the shot [7]. Maitre et al demonstrated the importance of the distance between the barrel of the firearm and the victim, as well as the degree of the barrel's narrowing (choke) in shaping the distribution of pellets, in relation to the length of the barrel weapon that seems to affect the dispersion of pellets to a lesser extent [8].…”

Section: Current Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determination of Firing Distance based on Pellet Dispersion

et al. 2023

AustinJForensicSciCriminol

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According to literature, practice and experience, the firing distance from shotguns (i.e., the distance between the victim and the muzzle of the gun) can be determined fairly accurately by studying and evaluating the pellet dispersion pattern after shooting a target surface, either on clothing or on the victim’s body. Many formulas have been published in order to determine the range at which a shotgun has been discharged, as well as the parameters that affect the calculation of the estimated firing distance. Τhe purpose of the current study was to provide answers to questions regarding firing distance ranges, by firing 12-gauge shotguns from 10, 18 and 25 meters, using different sizes of barrel choke and pellet sizes. Experimental shots were fired from two different guns, with different technical characteristics, from different distances and with different types of shotshell charges. The research revealed that 65% to 80% of the pellet pattern is distributed evenly in the center of the shot and this percentage remains the same at all three distances (10, 18 and 25 meters). Also, an important term in research is Shotgun Pellet Pattern (SPP), which is based on the number of pellets that are uniformly imprinted in the center of the shot and is an important factor in determining shot distance. The results of the shootings were recorded in tables and integrated into a computer program, giving useful information to the case examiner regarding the ability to determine the firing distance from a shotgun.

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Firearm Injuries

Merck¹

2013

Veterinary Forensics: Animal Cruelty Investigations

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Firing Distance Estimates with Pellet Dispersion from Shotgun with Various Chokes: An Experimental, Comparative Study

Cited by 10 publications

References 11 publications

Lead Contamination Differences in the Muscle of Wild Turkeys Harvested with Lead and Copper-Plated Lead Shot

Lead Contamination Differences in the Muscle of Wild Turkeys Harvested with Lead and Copper-Plated Lead Shot

Determination of Firing Distance based on Pellet Dispersion

Firearm Injuries

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