[Zimahl]

Yes, any horizontal distance is the danger, but that's not generally what movies show. An example is the movie 'The Mexican'.

Birdshot is somewhat powerless anyways, at even minimal distances, although I wouldn't particularily volunteer to be on the receiving end.

Ask Dick Cheney's hunting partner how this feels. I believe the doctors were more concerned about a pellet traveling to his heart/brain via an artery (possibly causing a heart attack or stroke) then the damage to his body.