WITH all firearms, the maximum range is much longer than the effective range. No exceptions.

Effective range is the greatest distance at which a firearm and its ammunition can cope with a given task.

Maximum range, however, is the greatest distance a projectile can travel over flat terrain before hitting the ground.

Shotguns, our focus this week, have a short reach.

Their normal effective range is 20 to 45 metres, where 45m is a very long shot and often too far.

Their maximum range, with numbered shot, is 300m or less.

Shot numbers refer to the size and hence the weight of the pellet: the higher the number, the lighter the pellet.

Logic says the bigger letter shot (00/SG, SSG, AAA and BB) should have greater maximum ranges and more clout, and they do. They are more likely to ricochet, too.

Time to put some flesh on the ballistics:

Both bullets and shot pellets reach their maximum range when fired at an upward angle somewhere between 25 and 37 degrees.

For most shot charges, the muzzle velocity is between 1350 and 1200 feet per second, faster than the speed of sound.

But shot pellets have a poor air shape and air resistance makes them lose speed rapidly.

Number 6 shot, for example, loses half of its initial speed in the first 55 metres, though it is still able to inflict injury at that range and can kill a small animal if it reaches a vital spot.

At maximum range, however, sixes are no more nasty than fine, hand-thrown gravel.

Although muzzle velocity affects both effective range and maximum range, the difference between 1350 fps and 1200 fps launchings is small.

As far as maximum range is concerned, that difference is always less than 14m and may be as little as 9m!

The most important variable is always shot size.