Falling shot: A GUIDE TO RESPONSIBLE SHOOTING

Black Lab explains the legal and ethical responsibilities of shotgun users when it comes to falling shot

- Black Lab

Newton’s famous theory, “What goes up must come down,” rings especially true when applied to projectiles from a gun. Whether it’s an air rifle, shotgun, small-bore or fullbore rifle, the fact remains that our pellets or bullets will eventually succumb to gravity’s pull. If you’re the owner of a grand estate or hundreds of acres of land, then falling shot probably isn’t a problem. However, it can become a contentious issue if you’re shooting close to residential boundaries.

I recall an article discussing the range of shotgun pellets. It’s been around 40 years since I read it, but according to my memory, the esteemed Gough Thomas claimed that pellets from a 12-bore shotgun (almost certainly lead) could travel up to 220 yards or approximately 201 metres at optimal barrel elevation. This doesn’t seem like a great distance, but it wouldn’t take much for an innocently aimed shot to have a portion of its charge fall on someone else’s land or property. As most rough shooters, pigeon decoyers and wildfowlers likely know, this can lead to significant strife.

Knowing the law