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Which component is listed for shotshells but not rifle cartridges?

A wad is a shotshell component.

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  1. Bullet
  2. Wad ✔
  3. Case

Why: A shotshell contains a hull, primer, powder, wad, and shot. Rifle and pistol cartridges instead list a case, primer, powder, and bullet.

Huh, didn't know that: IHEA-USA uses 'hull' for the outer body of a shotshell.

The dad joke
Why did the wad sit in the middle? It liked keeping things separate.
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References

Answer: Wad. A shotshell contains a hull, primer, powder, wad, and shot. Rifle and pistol cartridges instead list a case, primer, powder, and bullet.

  1. IHEA-USA Education Standards: The Complete Guide www.ihea-usa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IHEAUSA_HunterEduStd_Comp_Digital-1.pdf
    Shotgun shells consist of: • Hull • Primer • Powder • Wad • Shot
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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