Pellet Energy by Shot Size & Range
Estimated per-pellet energy at range, plus a steel-vs-lead sizing note.
How this works
An individual pellet is modeled the same way a bullet is — weight from its diameter and material density, then a trajectory calculation using an approximate form factor typical of spherical shapes — to estimate how much velocity, and therefore energy, it retains by the time it reaches your target range.
Why pellet size and material both matter
Smaller pellets lose velocity faster than larger ones because they have less mass to carry momentum through air resistance, which is why shot size selection matters more at longer range. Because steel is lighter than lead for the same diameter, it loses energy faster still — the "go up two shot sizes" guideline compensates for that so a given target still gets hit with comparable per-pellet energy.
Frequently asked questions
Why does steel shot need to be sized up compared to lead?
Steel is lighter than lead at the same diameter, so it loses velocity and energy faster at range — sizing up roughly two shot sizes when switching from lead to steel is a widely cited way to compensate.
Does pellet size matter more at longer range?
Yes — smaller pellets lose velocity faster than larger ones because they carry less mass relative to their air resistance, so the size choice matters increasingly more as your shooting distance grows.
Is this energy per pellet or for the whole shot charge?
Per pellet — this estimates the energy carried by a single pellet of your chosen size and material at the range you specify, which is the relevant number for judging whether an individual hit will be effective.
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