20 Gauge Ammo for Sale — Birdshot, Buckshot & Slugs

20 Ga Ammo

The 20 gauge is the everyman’s second shotgun shell — lighter recoil than 12 gauge with enough payload for upland birds, deer, defense, and casual target shooting. It’s the standard recommendation for new shooters, smaller-framed hunters, and anyone tired of 12 gauge thump. Impact Guns carries 20 gauge buckshot, slugs, birdshot, and target loads from Federal, Winchester, Remington, and other leading makers.

Read our full 20 Gauge Ammo Buying Guide ↓

Why 20 Gauge?

The 20 gauge fires roughly ¾ the shot payload of 12 gauge at similar velocities — producing about 60% of the felt recoil. For upland hunting (quail, dove, pheasant), the lighter shells carry comfortably all day. For new and smaller-framed shooters, 20 gauge often makes the difference between enjoying shooting and developing a permanent flinch. The trade-off is less reach and stopping power at the heavy end — 20 gauge is light-medium duty where 12 gauge is medium-heavy.

Birdshot: Upland and Small Game

20 gauge birdshot in #7½ or #8 covers dove and quail; #6 handles pheasant and rabbit; #4 takes turkey at moderate ranges. The smaller payload patterns slightly tighter than 12 gauge with the same shot size, which can be an advantage for skilled wing shooters and a disadvantage for hunters who count on margin for error. Match shot size to species the same way as 12 gauge — the size guidance transfers directly.

Buckshot: Home Defense in 20 Gauge

20 gauge #3 buckshot (the most common 20-gauge defensive load) delivers roughly 18-20 .25-caliber pellets — less raw payload than 12 gauge 00 but still devastating at home defense distances with notably less recoil. For shooters who hesitate to deploy a 12 gauge for fear of recoil under stress, 20 gauge defensive loads provide a viable compromise. Federal and Hornady both produce premium 20 gauge defensive buckshot.

Slugs and Deer Hunting

20 gauge slugs are fully capable on whitetail deer at slug-gun ranges (typically under 100 yards with smoothbores, 150+ with rifled barrels and sabot slugs). The reduced recoil makes follow-up shots faster and the kids’ deer rifle role almost exclusively belongs to 20 gauge in slug-only states. Hornady SST and Federal Trophy Copper sabot slugs deliver impressive performance from rifled-barrel 20 gauge slug guns.

Turkey Loads

20 gauge turkey loads with #5 or #6 shot in 3” magnum payloads kill toms cleanly at 35-40 yards with a tight-pattern turkey choke. The Hevi-Shot and Federal Heavyweight TSS (tungsten super shot) loads in 20 gauge have made the platform completely viable for turkey hunting — some hunters prefer 20 gauge specifically for the lighter carry weight and reduced shoulder punishment. See our turkey shotguns page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 20 gauge powerful enough for home defense?
Yes — 20 gauge buckshot at home-defense distances is fully effective. The reduced recoil compared to 12 gauge can be a meaningful advantage for shooters who train less or who would shy from a 12 gauge under stress. The pellet count is lower than 12 gauge 00 buckshot but still sufficient for the role.

Is 20 gauge good for beginners?
Yes — 20 gauge is the standard recommendation for new shooters, youth shooters, and anyone bothered by 12 gauge recoil. It teaches all the same fundamentals with substantially less punishment, which directly translates to faster skill development and more time on the range.

Can I hunt deer with a 20 gauge slug gun?
Absolutely — 20 gauge slug guns are effective on whitetail deer at typical slug-gun ranges. With a rifled barrel and sabot slugs, ethical kills are realistic to 150 yards. The 20 gauge is particularly popular as a youth and women’s deer gun for its manageable recoil.