What happens to the sabot when a saboted slug exits the shotgun?

When a saboted slug exits the shotgun, it separates from the sabot. The sabot is a plastic or thin material that encases the slug to help stabilize it during its flight. Upon firing, the sabot serves a crucial role in allowing the slug, which is typically a larger projectile, to be shot from a standard shotgun barrel by providing a proper fit and shape. However, once the slug leaves the barrel, the sabot is designed to detach from it.

This separation occurs due to aerodynamic forces and the design of the sabot, which is intended to fall away as the projectile moves through the air. The sabot does not actively enhance accuracy but rather allows the slug to achieve optimal flight characteristics during its trajectory. After separation, the sabot may fall to the ground or be carried away by wind, while the slug continues its path toward the target. This mechanism is essential to ensure that the slug can perform effectively once in flight without the interference of the sabot.