GrabAGun’s Ammo Guide Part 1: The Best Shotgun Ammunition
Shotguns are versatile firearms that can be used for hunting, self-defense, and sport shooting. When it comes to selecting the right shotgun ammunition for your needs, there are many options available from some of our top brands like Remington, Winchester, and Federal. Shotgun ammunition comes in a variety of sizes and types. The most common ones are 12-gauge, 20-gauge, 10-gauge, and .410 bore. Practically speaking, the two most popular and best-selling ammo for shotguns are 12-gauge ammo and 20-gauge ammo, each with its own unique properties.
The 12-gauge shotgun is the most popular type of shotgun for several reasons. It’s used for everything from self defense to hunting many types of small game and birds, including rabbit, squirrel, quail, dove, grouse, ducks, geese, and turkey. The same shotgun can be used with buckshot to hunt big game animals, like deer and bear, at close range in thick cover. The 12-gauge is also very popular for clay shooting or trap shooting competitions.
The 20-gauge shotgun has less power than the 12-gauge but still packs a punch when you need it. This shotshell is best suited for smaller game such as squirrels or rabbits because they have less meat on them than larger animals like deer do–so they require less power behind each shot fired at them. It is also very popular for hunting quail, grouse and mallards when using lead free, birdshot game loads. And 20-gauge ammo can be ideal for younger or smaller shooters who do not like the recoil associated with shooting a 12-gauge shotgun.
In this post, we’ll explore a few different types of shotgun ammunition available, their intended purposes, and top brands.
12-Gauge Shotgun Ammunition (Hunting and Sporting)
The 12-gauge shotgun is a popular choice for hunting as it offers a variety of ammunition options to fit different hunting needs. The most common type of 12-gauge ammo used for hunting is birdshot, which is designed to take down birds and small game. However, the 12-gauge shotgun can also be used for larger game with slugs or buckshot. The versatility and power of the 12-gauge shotgun make it a practical choice for hunters who may encounter a variety of game sizes and types. A few of our recommended 12-gauge shot rounds include:
Federal Game-Shok Heavy Field Load 12 GA 2.75″ 1 1/8 oz #4 Lead Shot
The most common animals hunted with #4 shot are turkey and pheasant. The Federal #4 lead is designed to spread out upon leaving the shotgun, increasing the likelihood of hitting the target. This makes it ideal for medium to large birds in flight. The lead shot in this Federal Game-Shok ammo is heavy enough to penetrate and take birds down quickly and humanely.
Winchester Super-X XPERT high velocity 12 GA 3″ 1 1/8 oz #2
Winchester has led the industry in ground-breaking developments in shotshell loads and components. This high-velocity Winchester Super-X 12ga ammunition is perfect for hunting waterfowl like ducks and geese because it has a tight shot pattern and can reach up to 1,550 feet per second. These high-performance steel shotshells are available at great value!
Winchester Super-X 12 gauge 2.75″ 1 oz #7.5 Shot
This ammunition is #7.5 shot that is primarily used for target shooting, clays and medium-sized birds like grouse, partridge and quail. Long-time hunters will usually refer to #7 and #7.5 as “dove shot,” because it excels at hitting birds and small animals that are roughly the size of a large dove. The lead shot is the perfect size for all of these animals and the tight pattern ensures that you’ll hit your target.
12-Gauge Ammo (Self Defense)
12-gauge ammo is a popular choice for a self defense shotgun due to its effectiveness in stopping threats. The size of the pellets and the high velocity at which they are fired make it a reliable option for close range encounters. Additionally, the availability and versatility of the 12-gauge shotgun makes it a practical choice for home defense situations.
Winchester Military Grade 12GA 00 BUCKSHOT 2.75″
This Winchester 12 gauge buckshot ammo is perfect for self-defense. The pellets are large and powerful enough to stop an intruder in their tracks. Winchester designed this ammo to meet the rigorous demands of military and law enforcement. So you can rest assured that this 12 gauge ammo will serve your home defense purposes perfectly.
Remington Ultimate Defense 12 Gauge 2.75″ 9 PELLETS 00 Buckshot
Remington Ultimate Defense shotgun ammo is designed to provide reliable and effective self-defense performance with a shotgun. Delivering maximum stopping power and expansion upon impact, This Remington ammo is specifically made for self-defense. Stock up on this Remington ammo and have the peace of mind of having the ultimate defense round for your 12-gauge shotgun.
FIOCCHI Defense Dynamics 12 GA 00 BUCK 2.75″
Fiocchi Defense Dynamics Buckshot is a reliable and effective defensive 12 gauge shotgun option for both civilian and law enforcement professionals. The 8 pellet chilled lead 00 buckshot are large enough to stop an intruder, with the tight pattern ensuring that you won’t miss your target. Moving at just over 1,300 fps, it provides excellent performance and knockdown power for your personal defense.
20-Gauge Ammo (Hunting and Sporting)
The 20 gauge shotgun is a popular choice for hunting birds, rabbits, squirrels and other game. The 20-gauge pellets are small enough to ensure that you don’t over-penetrate, but they’re also powerful enough to take down your target. And there are options to use for crushing sporting clays in competition use as well. A few of our 20 gauge ammo recommendations include:
Winchester Super-X 20 GA #3 Buckshot 2.75″
Winchester’s Super X buckshot 20 gauge ammo is perfect for hunting game like deer and predators. This #3 Buckshot load has a 2.75-inch plastic shell and hits targets with a muzzle velocity of 1,200 feet per second. The buckshot is the perfect size for these animals and delivers reliable performance and accuracy with each shot.
Winchester Double X Magnum Turkey Load 20 GA 3″ 1 1/4 oz #5 Shot
This Winchester ammo provides excellent stopping power and accuracy in a reliable turkey load. Winchester Supreme DX is perfect for hunting turkey and similar sized game. Each box contains 10 rounds of 3″ 20 gauge ammo loaded with 1-1/4 oz of #5 shot. The shot is powerful enough to take down Turkeys but won’t damage the meat.
Federal Top Gun Sporting 20 GA #8 SHOT 2.75″
For ammo that’s primarily intended for competition, we have this Federal ammunition. It’s designed for use in sporting clays, trap, and other shotgun sports. This 20 gauge ammo is built to deliver consistent performance and accuracy, making it a popular choice among competitors who need to rely on their ammunition to perform flawlessly in competition.
20-Gauge Ammo (Self Defense)
The 20-gauge shotgun is an excellent option for self defense due to its manageable recoil and ease of use. It is a reliable choice for those who may be smaller in stature or not as experienced with firearms. The 20-gauge shotgun has less recoil than the 12-gauge, making it easier to control and allowing for faster follow-up shots. 20-gauge shotgun ammunition is also available in a variety of sizes, including buckshot and slugs, making it a versatile option for self-defense situations. Overall, the 20-gauge as a self-defense shotgun is a practical and effective choice for those seeking a reliable firearm to keep themselves safe.
Winchester Defender Copper 20GA #3 BUCK 2.75″
This Winchester ammunition, engineered to maximize terminal ballistics, is perfect for home defense. The Winchester Defender Copper is one of the most popular choices for this purpose because it fires copper pellets at 1,145 feet per second (fps) with an effective range of up to 50 yards–enough distance to hit an intruder without putting yourself in harm’s way. This 20-gauge ammo provides accuracy and reliability while delivering maximum stopping power.
Slug Rounds (12 and 20 Gauge)
Shotgun slug rounds are used for hunting large game like deer or for self defense when you need to stop a large animal or human attacker. The slug is a single lead projectile that is designed to penetrate through the target and cause significant damage.
Winchester Super-X 12 Gauge 1oz Rifled Slug 2.75″
This Winchester ammunition is perfect for hunting large game like deer. The full bore hollow point rifled slug improves accuracy and sectional density, while providing superior stopping power and hard hitting performance. It’s no wonder that hunters and shooters rely on its time-proven dependability, backed by legendary excellence.
Hornady SST FTX SABOT SLUG 12 GAUGE 300 GRAIN 2.75″
Hornady’s 12 gauge slug Sabot is perfect for hunting large game like deer. This high-performance 12-gauge slug offers incredible accuracy in a reliable and flat shooting hunting load. Hornady SST Shotgun Slugs feature patented Flex Tip technology and a muzzle velocity of 2000 feet per second. Experience the proven performance of Hornady’s super-accurate patented bullet and transform your favorite rifled barrel slug gun into a firearm that outperforms some centerfire rifles.
Hornady SST FTX 20 GAUGE SLUG 250-GRAIN 2.75″
Hornady SST Slug ammo is perfect for hunting large game like deer. The sabot slug, featuring patented Flex Tip technology, ensures accuracy and the weight of the slug ensures that it will penetrate through the animal’s skin and kill it quickly. Hornady SST Slugs deliver sub-2″ groups at 100 yards and feature the flattest trajectory on the market.
Winchester Super-X 20 GA 2.75-INCH ¾ OZ RIFLED SLUG
This Winchester ammo is designed for hunting medium to large game. The full-bore rifled slug has a velocity of up to 1,600 feet per second and offers improved accuracy and sectional density, while the hollow point provides superior stopping power and hard-hitting performance. With Winchester Super-X 20-gauge slugs you will enjoy a successful hunt and maximum performance from your 20 gauge shotgun.
In conclusion, you should choose the right shotgun ammunition depending on the purpose of the shot. For hunting small game, bird hunting, or self-defense, there are different types of shotgun ammunition that are designed to perform the best for each specific purpose. 12-gauge and 20-gauge are the most popular sizes of shotgun ammunition, with each having its own advantages and disadvantages.
With so many options available, it’s important to do your research and choose the right shotgun ammunition for your needs. Here at GrabAGun, we have a great selection of shotgun ammo that will meet all of your shooting needs! We hope this article helped you learn more about your options. And we suggest you read our home defense shotguns blog post and our guide to shotguns and ammo for dove hunting.
-Tim Hewitt