Shotgun Ammo

Birdshot: For Birds and Clay Targets

Birdshot shells contain a large number of small lead or steel pellets designed to create a spreading pattern for hitting moving birds and clay targets. Shot is sized by number—larger numbers mean smaller pellets. #8 and #9 shot are standard for skeet and sporting clays where close-range pattern density matters most. #6 and #7.5 shot cover most dove and quail hunting. #4 and #5 shot are used for pheasant and larger upland birds where more energy at longer range is needed. #BB and #2 shot cover ducks and geese. For steel shot required in waterfowl hunting, choose shot one to two sizes larger than the lead equivalent to compensate for steel’s lower density.

Buckshot: For Defense and Deer

Buckshot shells contain larger lead pellets designed for deer hunting and home/personal defense. 00 (double-ought) buckshot is the standard defensive load—a standard 12 gauge 2.75″ 00 buckshot shell contains 8–9 pellets, each approximately .33 caliber. At home defense distances, a single 00 buckshot blast delivers multiple projectile impacts simultaneously, making it one of the most effective close-range defensive loads available. For deer hunting, 00 buckshot is effective inside 40 yards. #4 buckshot (smaller pellets, more of them) is popular for home defense where reduced penetration is desired; 000 buckshot provides maximum individual pellet energy for large deer and hogs.

Slugs: Single Projectile for Deer and Distance

Shotgun slugs are single large projectiles that allow a shotgun to function as a deer rifle at distances where buckshot patterns become too sparse. Foster slugs (rifled slugs) are designed for smoothbore shotgun barrels and are accurate to 75–100 yards. Sabot slugs use a plastic sabot that peels away after leaving the barrel, designed for rifled shotgun barrels and accurate to 150+ yards in a dedicated slug gun. For deer hunters in shotgun-only zones, a 12 gauge with a rifled barrel and sabot slugs is a capable system inside 200 yards. Slugs are also used for breaching and as a distance option in defensive shotgun roles.

Target Loads: Reduced Recoil for High-Volume Shooting

Target or sporting loads are lighter, lower-velocity shells specifically designed for clay target shooting. They produce less recoil than hunting or defensive loads—important when shooting 100+ rounds in a sporting clays or trap session. Standard target loads run 1 oz to 1-1/8 oz of shot at 1,145–1,200 fps, compared to hunting loads at 1,300+ fps. For high-volume clay shooting, the reduced recoil of target loads meaningfully reduces fatigue and allows better follow-through on second shots. Many dedicated clay target shooters also use reduced recoil loads that are even lighter than standard target loads for sustained comfort over long sessions. See also: Skeet & Clays Ammo.

Choosing the Right Gauge

12 gauge is the dominant shotgun gauge with the widest selection of loads across all applications. 20 gauge offers meaningful recoil reduction—popular for youth shooters, smaller-framed adults, and upland hunting where carrying a lighter gun all day matters. .410 bore is the smallest common gauge, useful for youth introduction to shotgun shooting and small game, but limited in effective range and pattern density for most hunting applications. See also: 12 Gauge Shotguns, 20 Gauge Shotguns, and .410 Shotguns.