Shot tower is a structure used to make small shot for firearms. In colonial days, shot towers were wooden or brick towers 50 to 100 feet (15 to 30 meters) high. People poured melted lead through a vessel at the top of the tower that had holes in it. As each piece of lead dropped, it formed a round ball. It cooled in this shape when it landed at the bottom in a vessel containing cold water. Today, most shot is made in towers that are up to 190 feet (58 meters) high.
