Abstract: A shell formed of a cylindrical casing having a reduced diameter cylindrical package of explosive contained therein and means to ignite the explosive and a plurality of metallic pellets positioned in the annular area between the explosive and the casing, each pellet being in the form of a polyhedron having a polygonal base and triangular faces meeting in a common apex, the base and all faces being equally dimensioned and shaped.

Abstract: A shell formed of a casing having a propellant in it and a means of igniting the propellant, and shot formed of a plurality of metallic pellets each of a pyramid shape, that is, in the form of a polyhedron having a equilateral triangular base and equilateral faces meeting in a common apex. The pyramidal shape causes the pellets to travel in a flatter trajectory than spherical pellets commonly used so that when the shell is of the type used in a shotgun, the pellets have greater range, more directional stability, and are less affected by sidewinds.