Patent ID: 7243603

Claim:
A shot pattern control wad structure for use in a cartridge for a shotgun, said cartridge including a case having a tubular outer wall, said wad structure located in said case between gunpowder and a charge of pellets, said wad structure comprising: a base wad having a tubular cylindrical body open at a forward end thereof and having a closed rearward end face adjacent to the gunpowder, said cylindrical body having slits longitudinally extending from said open forward end; a shot container having a tubular cylindrical body with open rear and front ends for containing the charge of pellets and dimensioned to be slidably received within said base wad, said open front end having an annular inwardly restricting extrusion passage for extruded passage of said charge of pellets therethrough; and an interlocking retainer means between said base wad and said shot container for preventing forward advancement of said base wad from said shot container until after the combination has left the barrel of the shotgun, said interlocking retainer means including an annular inwardly protruding and rearwardly facing shoulder on said base wad tubular cylindrical body engaging a forwardly facing shoulder on said shot container cylindrical body at right angles to the forward direction of said base wad and shot container.