Patent attributes
Described are spherical projectiles such as used in birdshot, buckshot, or single ball spherical projectiles, including slugs, muzzle loading projectiles, or any close-to-bore diameter projectile, that is auto-segmenting or self-segmenting upon impact with a target. The projectile or shot disclosed herein retains its shape and structure during flight until impact with soft tissue, whereupon its individual sections separate or segment in a controllable manner, each portion of the projectile imparting or depositing a high amount energy to the tissue and target. The auto-segmenting spherical projectiles can be frangible or non-frangible. This disclosure also provides cartridges such as shotshells that are loaded with the projectiles described herein.