Shotgun Ammunition Guide: Birdshot, Buckshot, and Slugs Explained
The shotgun is the most versatile firearm platform because of its ammunition variety. The same gun can shoot birdshot for clay targets, buckshot for home defense, and slugs for deer hunting. Understanding these loads is essential for any shotgun owner.
By Dwight Ringdahl — GunExpos.com
Anatomy of a Shotgun Shell
Every shotgun shell has five components:
- Hull — The plastic or paper body of the shell
- Brass head — The base that contains the primer
- Primer — Ignites when struck by the firing pin
- Powder charge — Propellant that generates expanding gas
- Payload — Birdshot pellets, buckshot pellets, or a single slug
A plastic wad separates the powder from the payload and helps seal gas behind the shot for consistent velocity.
Gauge: What the Numbers Mean
Shotgun bore size is measured in "gauge" — an old system based on the number of lead balls of that bore diameter that equal one pound.
| Gauge | Bore Diameter | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 12 gauge | 0.729" | Most popular. Hunting, defense, sport. |
| 20 gauge | 0.615" | Lighter recoil. Great for youth, women, smaller shooters. |
| 16 gauge | 0.662" | Less common. Gaining a small revival among upland hunters. |
| .410 bore | 0.410" | Smallest common bore. Youth guns, snake guns, Taurus Judge. |
12 gauge is the standard. If you own one shotgun, it's almost certainly a 12 gauge. The overwhelming majority of ammunition choices, accessories, and information are for 12 gauge.
20 gauge is the best alternative for shooters who find 12-gauge recoil excessive. It's effective for everything from upland birds to home defense with noticeably less kick. A 20-gauge youth model is an excellent first shotgun for younger or smaller-framed shooters.
Birdshot
What It Is
Birdshot shells contain dozens to hundreds of small lead, steel, or tungsten pellets. As the shot exits the barrel, it spreads into a pattern that increases with distance. The choke at the end of the barrel controls how quickly the pattern spreads.
Shot Size Chart
| Shot Size | Pellet Diameter | Pellets per oz (lead) | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| #9 | 0.08" | 585 | Skeet, close-range clay targets |
| #8 | 0.09" | 410 | Trap, skeet, dove |
| #7½ | 0.095" | 350 | Trap, sporting clays, dove, quail |
| #6 | 0.11" | 225 | Pheasant, rabbit, grouse |
| #5 | 0.12" | 170 | Pheasant, turkey (with proper choke) |
| #4 | 0.13" | 135 | Duck, pheasant at range |
| #2 | 0.15" | 90 | Goose, large waterfowl |
| BB | 0.18" | 50 | Goose, long-range waterfowl |
Smaller numbers equal larger pellets. This is counterintuitive but important to remember. The choice depends on your target: small, close targets (dove, skeet) use small shot (#7½ through #9), while larger or farther targets (geese, turkey) need larger shot (#2 through BB).
Steel vs. Lead Shot
Federal law requires non-toxic shot (steel, bismuth, or tungsten) for all waterfowl hunting. Lead shot is still legal for upland birds, clay targets, and general use in most areas.
- Lead — Denser, hits harder, patterns tighter. Best overall performance for upland hunting and clay sports.
- Steel — Required for waterfowl. Less dense than lead, so use 2 shot sizes larger than you would with lead for equivalent downrange energy.
- Bismuth — Lead-like performance with non-toxic composition. Excellent but expensive ($2–$3 per shell).
- Tungsten — Denser than lead for maximum performance. Outstanding for turkey hunting. Very expensive ($3–$5 per shell).
Birdshot for Home Defense?
Not recommended. While birdshot will cause painful surface wounds at close range, the small pellets lack sufficient penetration to reliably reach vital organs through heavy clothing, especially at distances beyond 5–7 feet. Multiple self-defense shooting instructors and ballistic gelatin tests have demonstrated that birdshot fails to meet the FBI's 12-inch minimum penetration standard for defensive ammunition. For home defense, use buckshot or slugs.
Buckshot
What It Is
Buckshot shells contain a smaller number of much larger pellets — typically 8 to 27 pellets depending on the size. Named because it was originally used for hunting deer ("bucks"), buckshot is now the standard defensive shotgun load used by law enforcement and civilians alike.
Buckshot Size Chart (12 gauge, 2¾" shells)
| Size | Pellet Diameter | Pellets per shell | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| #4 Buck | 0.24" | 21–27 | Home defense (less wall penetration) |
| #1 Buck | 0.30" | 12–16 | Home defense, law enforcement |
| 00 Buck | 0.33" | 8–9 | Home defense standard, LE standard |
| 000 Buck | 0.36" | 6–8 | Maximum stopping power, heavy penetration |
00 Buckshot: The Home Defense Standard
00 ("double-ought") buckshot is the most popular home defense load for good reason:
- Each pellet is roughly equivalent to a 9mm pistol round in diameter and mass
- 8–9 pellets per shell means 8–9 simultaneous projectiles striking the target
- Effective range of 15–25 yards covers the longest room in virtually any home
- Devastating terminal performance within home defense distances
- The standard load for law enforcement tactical teams nationwide
Best home defense buckshot loads:
- Federal FliteControl 00 Buck — The gold standard for patterning. The patented FliteControl wad keeps the pellets together far longer than conventional wads, producing 2–3 inch groups at 10 yards from a cylinder-bore barrel. Reduced recoil version available for easier follow-up shots.
- Hornady Critical Defense 00 Buck — Uses the Versatite wad for tight, consistent patterns. Specifically designed for defensive use.
- Federal Tactical 1 Buck — For those who prefer #1 buckshot. An FBI study found #1 buck offers the optimal balance of penetration depth and wound channel diameter while reducing over-penetration risk compared to 00.
Buckshot and Over-Penetration
Buckshot will penetrate multiple interior walls, which is a serious concern in apartments, townhomes, and homes with family members in adjacent rooms. If over-penetration is a primary concern:
- #4 buckshot — Smaller pellets carry less energy through walls while still providing adequate terminal performance at room distances
- #1 buckshot — The FBI-studied middle ground between stopping power and reduced penetration
- Reduced recoil loads — Lower velocity means less penetration through barriers
Slugs
What They Are
A slug is a single large projectile — essentially turning your shotgun into a short-range rifle. Slugs are used when you need accuracy at longer ranges or maximum penetration on large game.
Types of Slugs
Foster Slugs (Rifled Slugs)
A hollow-based lead slug with rifling grooves cast into the outside. Despite the name, these grooves don't actually spin-stabilize the slug — the hollow base acts like a shuttlecock to keep it flying straight.
- Designed for smooth-bore barrels (most shotguns)
- Effective range: 50–75 yards with practice
- Cost: $0.75–$1.50 per round
- Best for: Deer hunting with a smooth-bore shotgun, general-purpose use
Sabot Slugs
A smaller-diameter slug encased in a plastic sabot ("shoe") that falls away after leaving the barrel. The sabot engages the rifling to spin-stabilize the slug for dramatically improved accuracy.
- Designed specifically for rifled barrels or rifled choke tubes — do not use in smooth bores
- More accurate than Foster slugs, effective to 100–150 yards
- Cost: $1.50–$3.00 per round
- Best for: Deer hunting with a dedicated rifled slug barrel
Brenneke Slugs
A solid lead slug with an attached wad that acts as a stabilizer. Brenneke slugs are known for deep penetration and have a devoted following among dangerous-game guides.
- Works in smooth-bore or rifled barrels
- Maximum penetration of any slug type
- Best for: Dangerous game defense (bear country), brush hunting at moderate range
Slugs for Home Defense
Slugs offer maximum stopping power but present the most serious over-penetration concerns of any shotgun ammunition. A 12-gauge slug will penetrate multiple walls, exterior siding, and potentially your neighbor's home. Use slugs for home defense only if you live in a rural area with no adjacent structures and need to address threats at longer distances.
Choosing the Right Load
| Scenario | Recommended Load |
|---|---|
| Home defense | 00 buckshot (Federal FliteControl) |
| Home defense (thin walls) | #4 buckshot, reduced recoil |
| Deer hunting (smooth bore) | Foster rifled slugs |
| Deer hunting (rifled barrel) | Sabot slugs |
| Turkey hunting | #4–#6 shot (tungsten preferred) |
| Dove and quail | #7½–#8 lead shot |
| Waterfowl | #2–BB steel shot |
| Trap and skeet | #7½–#8 target loads |
| Sporting clays | #7½–#8 target loads |
| Bear defense | Brenneke slugs or 00 buck |
Shell Length Matters
Shotgun shells come in different lengths, and your shotgun's chamber determines which you can safely fire:
- 2¾ inch — Standard length. Fits all 12-gauge shotguns.
- 3 inch (Magnum) — More pellets or a heavier slug. Only for 3-inch chambers.
- 3½ inch (Super Magnum) — Maximum payload. Only for 3½-inch chambers (typically turkey and goose guns).
- Mini shells (1¾ inch) — Reduced recoil, reduced payload. Fun for plinking but not recommended for defense. Requires an adapter in most pump-actions.
Always check your shotgun's chamber length before purchasing ammunition. Firing a 3-inch shell in a 2¾-inch chamber is dangerous.
Where to Buy
- Gun shows — Great prices on bulk shotgun ammo with no shipping costs. Ammo vendors at shows often have surplus and specialty loads unavailable elsewhere. Find shows in our show directory.
- Local gun shops — Convenience and expert advice on which loads work best in your specific shotgun. Browse our dealer directory.
- Online — Best selection for specialty loads. Check SG Ammo, Lucky Gunner, and AmmoSeek for the best prices.
Stock up on the right loads for your shotgun at your next gun show and explore our ammunition education series for more guides.