Lead shot is classified in very general names that refer to antimony alloy content. The two types of lead shot are known as either chilled or magnum. Antimony is the alloying metal used to harden lead. Antimony is a brittle flaky, crystalline metal with a density of 6.7 grams/cc. Pure lead's density is 11.34 grams/cc. Therefore, when lead is alloyed with antimony it becomes a harder pellet, but as more antimony is added, the overall density of the pellet is reduced.

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• Chilled Lead Shot is softer and slightly denser than Magnum lead shot. Many shooters, like Don Zutz, prefer the increased density of chilled lead for hunting loads and the manner in which it deforms when it strikes game. (Think of why hollow-point bullets so effectively transfer energy. It is because they deform quickly when they hit the target. The process of expansion and stopping is what transfers energy.) Chilled lead shot contains approximately 2% antimony.
  
  
• Magnum Lead Shot is harder and slightly less dense than Chilled lead shot. Harder shot is more prone to retain its spherical shape during the firing sequence. Some shooters prefer Magnum shot's hardness advantage because it generally patterns more predictably than softer shot. Magnum lead shot generally contains approximately 4-6% antimony.