A ballistic tracer platform for use with a shotgun shell to provide an aiming and training aid for shotgun shooting sports, which also can be used for military and police applications. The ballistic tracer platform carries a tracer element, which provides the shooter with a consistent reference to make corrections to his or her aiming point and shooting techniques. The ballistic tracer platform can be used in ordinary shotgun shells. The ballistic tracer platform consists of a cylindrical structure with a coaxial cylindrical cavity in which the tracer element is disposed. The tracer element can be composed of incendiary or non-incendiary materials. The ballistic tracer platform can be modified to improve its ballistic shape, such as modifying the shape of its nose. Mass can be added to cavities formed in the ballistic tracer platform in order to adjust the weight of the device. Grooves, fins, or orifices can be formed in surface of the device to create additional spin.