About Plated Lead Shot: The overall quality of lead shot is always improved by the addition of plating. The plating process hardens the pellet and this allows for better patterning performance and enhanced penetration. Plating also improves penetration capabilities of the pellet. Copper-plated shot is manufactured in the U.S. by Lawrence. They plate their magnum lead shot to improve patterning and penetration. Nickel-plated shot consists of a double-plating process: It is plated first with copper for proper adhesion and then it is plated again with a heavy coating of nickel.  Nickel creates a less porous surface for unparalleled penetration capabilities.