a shotgun shell is the standard type of ammunition for a shotgun. it is fired after being loaded into the chamber or chambers of a shotgun. the shell is cylindrical in shape and is normally between and long. it holds a charge of gunpowder and either lead shot or a shotgun slug made to be fired from the shotgun. shotgun shells are usually mostly plastic but have thin brass at the base, though they can be made of solid brass, paper, or other combinations of these materials.