I hate using Google’s Gmail or having anything at all to do with Google. ... And it's the same idea just a thicker metal cup it's a little. By Guy J. Sagi Sporting clays, trapshooting, and most bird, Guest Writer: Kenzie Fitzpatrick Choosing a shotgun for competition is, Who has a rifle competitions planned for 2021? A sabot slug is thinner and longer, and the slug itself is wrapped in a casing, called the “sabot” (pronounced “say-bo”) that ensures a seal between the projectile and the barrel. The downside is greater wear to a firearm due to the higher overall pressure, resulting in more regular maintenance. Modern 12-gauge shotshells come in 2 ½-, 2 ¾-, 3-, and 3 ½-inch lengths, all holding different amounts of powder. These slugs are smaller than the bore or diameter of the shotgun and are wrapped in a plastic ‘sabot’. They also have ribbing down the sides to give the slug a slight rotation and improving precision. Head over to our blog because we are, We have bulk ammo ready to send your way! These are modern variations between the Foster and saboted slugs. Here is a nice 12 Gauge shell with ⅞ oz of shot and a 1,200 fps muzzle velocity. I stopped reading at: Sabot–a plastic shell around some shotgun shells, which give the projectile a degree of spin as it leaves the barrel. Never fear, because we’re going to help you understand everything you need to know about shotgun ammunition. Your site will not accept my Email address, which is my own company domain. By Guy J. Sagi Sporting clays, trapshooting, and most bird hunting are the exclusive realm of shotguns, but…, Guest Writer: Kenzie Fitzpatrick Choosing a shotgun for competition is a process that only you can make the…. Now that you understand the basics of 12-gauge ammo shot patterns and loads, you can choose the right option for your specific needs. Actually the ribs on the sides of the Brenneke and Forster style slugs do cause them to spin after they leave the barrel and help with stability. #1 shot has a pellet diameter of .16 inches, giving it effective power to knock down geese and other large birds. A 3-inch magnum 20 gauge shell may carry 18 #2 buckshot. Please let me know in the comments below. But, the .410 shotshell is still encased in a plastic shell, just like other shotshells. Not a load for the recoil sensitive. You’re free to hunt any game with any cartridge, permitting your local and state laws. So the brass base contains the firing pin? It is commonly used as a turkey load, but can also be used for a variety of game birds. In some localities a required big-game hunting load. At .11 inches in diameter, this is pretty much the middle ground for birdshot, and can be used effectively for a variety of game from squirrels to turkey, assuming, of course, you hit the turkey in the head. Buying Guide: Hornady 12-Gauge 2-3/4″ Sabot Slug. This is a solid lead slug with ribbing on the outside. The shot is also one of the largest that is still ideal for trap shooting and shotgun-competition sports. Saboted slugs are designed for the barrel rifling and use a shuttlecock method to keep them stable. Gun News Daily has been reporting on gun news and conservative politics since 2001. #00 buckshot, usually called simply “double aught,” is an effective round that can be used for deer hunting, but also has applications in larger game, including heavy hog and even large game animals found in the western United States. The “buckshot vs slug” question has often been discussed in terms of 12-gauge loads, but in this video, Rob Pincus uses 20-gauge shotgun loads because there aren’t as many specialty loads with controlled expansion or controlled spread of the buckshot. But is it appropriate for a home defense shotgun used in the interior of the home? Only use magnum shot if you want more pellets in the load and on the target.At the often short yardages of trap and skeet it can be tough to see the difference. Using larger shot such as that used in the field (Lead #4 and Lead #6) you will very quickly see the difference on a pattern board at 45 yards. More resistant to denting as far as brands go I've shot quite a. Your choice of shotshell will depend on many factors, including what type of hunting or shooting you plan to do. We have shot high speed video of this to show their rotation. You have an established load with a regular primer. So casting bullets has been tough. Buying Guide: Winchester 12 Gauge 2-3/4″ 7-1/2 Shot. It refers to how deep the chamber is bored out to accomodate the longer "magnum" and "super magnum" shotgun shells. Both sizes are available in every gauge, including 410, though 12 gauge is the most common. What is the difference between a standard gun round and a magnum round? Sometimes called the “dove shot,” this is about the smallest legitimate hunting load. From a jittery squirrel to a thick-necked buck, you’ll be prepared to take any game! I don’t typically play favorites with defensive ammo choices, but if you watched the video, it’s pretty clear that the Federal FliteControl is an absolute game changer in the world of defensive shotguns. She has always ate turkey and squirrel I have shot with lead shot without a thought. Harder shot is more prone to retain its spherical shape during the firing sequence. What type of shell would u suggest for a 12g for predators. It’s really just a matter of degree. This is an old term that refers to the barrel diameter. These cartridges should only be used in shotguns that have passed the special steel shot proof and bear the words “steel shot” and a fleur de lys proof mark. At only 0.08 inches of diameter per pellet, #9 shot is one of the smallest sizes you’ll find. Cleaning Guns: Why and How Often Should You? Buying Guide: Winchester 12-Gauge 2-3/4″ 7 Shot. Possibly the most common type of 12-gauge shotgun load, birdshot comes in a variety of sizes. Usually holding about eight .32-inch pellets, the #00 shot delivers reliable penetration and energy transfer. I walk with two kids so something that will hurt the animal enough that it will want to bigger off as fast as it came. A rifled slug has spiraling grooves on the body of the projectile, giving it a spin that increases accuracy. Thanks. While a standard #4 buck load typically has a payload of 27 pellets, this magnum load from federal has 34. For example, a shotgun shell with #9 shot will hold more total pellets than one loaded with #1 shot. With good range and limited damage to the meat, #7 is an ideal load for pheasant, grouse, and dove. These slugs are roll-crimped at the end, making them impossible to hand reload without the use of special tools. Rotational effects, if any, would be minimal at best, as these slugs rely on the weight forward (shuttlecock effect) to stabilize them in flight. Understanding Different 12-Gauge Shotgun Load Types, 300 Blackout Effective Range & Best Barrel Length, Best 9mm Ammo: Plinking, Training & Home Defense, 350 Legend: Caliber Overview & Best Ammo Options. For the shotgun hunters out there, the above chart should give you a sense of the different cartridge types used for … 2) Magnum = 2¾” and 3″ length, or is it just 3″ length? Nice piece. It’s important to remember never to use shotgun shells in a different gauge as your shotgun, because this is extremely dangerous. With a diameter of .085 inches per pellet, this shot is not much larger than #9, but it does give slightly more weight to each pellet, which makes it useful for sporting clays and trap shooting at slightly longer distances. Don’t mean to pick any nits, but: 1. Would you add me to your list please? And P.S. Buyer's Club $16.14 Non-Member $16.99. Some shotguns have a slight rifling of the barrel, while other shotguns have no rifling and are referred to as smoothbore. Armed with your new knowledge, your next stop at the ammo store is going to be one heck of a good time! It might be either stuck into a cavity at the bottom of the projectile or over the slug in external notches. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This slug has a plastic stabilizer as part of the slug. The pellet size is .15 inches, giving enough power for geese while remaining effective for distance shots on ducks and other waterfowl. Your email address will not be published. Don’t worry, we’ll define each of them for you so you’ll have a better understanding of shotgun shells and how all the parts work together. These are single projectile shotgun rounds used for hunting larger game animals. But we also knew that #1 buckshot would be even better, especially of loaded in the Flight Control Wad, but there was none available. Heavy Magnum ® Coyote. #00 buckshot, usually called simply “double aught,” is an effective round that can be used for deer hunting, but also has applications in larger game, including heavy hog and even large game animals found in the western United States. There is also the smaller “B” pellets (.17 inches), as well as the larger “BBB” pellets (.19). Moving into #6 shot allows you to begin pursuing medium-sized and even larger birds, and it’s generally the smallest load used for pheasant or duck if distance is a factor, which it almost always is. Loaded to 1,300 fps with 1½ ounces of nickel plated lead shot in your choice of BB or 00 buckshot, these 3 inch, 12 gauge shotshells are the perfect answer for close range predators. This site was originally started by my father who passed it on to me. You’re in the right place, because in this article we’re going to demystify those terms, and others. From options ranging from hundreds of tiny beads to a single heavy slug, there’s plenty that you can do with your 12-gauge shotgun. Buying Guide: Winchester 12-Gauge 2-3/4″ 4 Shot. Together, all the pellets in a shotgun shell are called the shot. The high brass shells actually sit in the barrel when the extractor is all the way extended but there is a gap with the low brass shells which seems to catch the edge of the barrel when closing. Buying Guide: Fiocchi 12-Gauge 2-3/4″ 5 Shot. This sabot is designed to engage with the rifling in the shotgun barrel and give a ballistic spin to the projectile. In interior (not mixed interior/exterior) home defense situations, buckshot and slugs are totally out of the question, unless perhaps you are using them in a .410 shotgun. I enjoyed your article tremendously. That said, the above are a good rule-of-thumb which you can reference any time you’re preparing for a hunt. There are a lot of different types of slug. Size 00 is 0.33 inches in diameter and size 000 is 0.36 inches in diameter. This may have been true at one point in the history of shotguns, but not any more. Although it is rarer, and some manufacturers don’t even bother making it, this can be an effective load for large waterfowl. If you want better range and lethality, you’ll need to consider using tungsten shot. The .410 round is not a gauge; instead, it is measured in caliber, though the weapon that fires it is still a shotgun. Understanding the different 12-gauge ammo shot patterns, as well as their best applications, will make you more productive in the field. Buying Guide: Fiocchi 12-Gauge 3-1/2″ 1 Shot. Antimony is the basic hardening alloy used in lead shot. Shotgun Shell Sizes: Comparison Chart and Commonly Used Terms. They also reduce friction in the barrel, increasing the slug’s velocity. Rifled slugs are generally useful for long-distance shots, although most rifled slugs will not perform better than a true rifle shot. The more we all know, the better organized and stronger the shooting and hunting community will be. It has a deep hollow in the rear of the slug, like that in the back of an airgun pellet. These are one solid piece of lead, making them the most powerful ammunition for 12-gauge shotguns, but also the most difficult to place properly, as there is no spread. Gun News Daily is the longest running gun news website in the US. This shotgun’s maximum shell length is 2 ¾ inches. I am a first time shotgun owner and we spend a lot of time on bush trails. We may earn a commission when you purchase through one of our links. 2¾ Remington #1 Buckshot (16 pellet) shot out of an 18 inch barreled Remington 870 marine magnum. Buckshot is the largest shot before getting to rifled slugs, with size 00 and 000 being the largest. Buckshot vs. Birdshot. With smaller pellets, you also get more pellets in a single load. If just 3″ length means Magnum, does 2¾” have its own name? With the stabilizer in the rear of the slug, discarding sabots can be included. In the second type of Plumbata slug, the stabilizer itself acts as a sabot but remains part of the slug until impact (Impact Discarding Sabot). A shotgun shell is cased in plastic with a brass base containing the primer. Shot sizes are measured with numbers starting with the smallest, which is ‘birdshot’. These projectiles are usually made of lead, but can also be lead-coated steel, tungsten or bismuth. With a pellet diameter of .244 inches, #4 buckshot is popular for medium-sized game, including deer and coyote. So-called ‘high brass’ shells are thought to contain more powder, making them more powerful. With heavy pellets and the ability to place effective penetration at 40 yards, the #2 shot is one of the favorite loads for goose hunters. Tungsten Turkey Loads 00 is often shortened to ‘double-aught’ and 000 is sometimes called ‘triple-aught’ shot. With birdshot you will have a larger spread of pellets with more pellets striking the targeted area. Some shooters prefer Magnum shot's hardness advantage because it generally patterns more predictably than softer shot. Buying Guide: Remington 12-Gauge 2-3/4″ Rifled Slug. Owners of these firearms usually have a specialist hand load the shells. Good article, the only thing that I would have to say on this is that the high and low brass does matter… kind of. The Foster slug is intended to be fired through a non-rifled shotgun barrel. Now before my inbox fills up with angry emails, let me say that these rules are not set in stone. If you’re new to shotgun ownership, the variety of ammunition available is probably confusing. The 12 gauge may be loaded with single 0 and #4 as well. A properly-placed load of #1 shot, from the desired distance, will have no problem dropping a mature buck. Choosing Buckshot – The Shortcut Method. “Slug” is essentially the term used to describe a shotgun bullet. Very clear general description of the stuff! This is one of the most devastating rounds for shotguns, and can be used for a wide variety of animals, although some consider it not powerful enough (and therefore unethical) to use on significantly large game like moose and bear. But, the variety of that ammo might be confusing, especially if you’re new to shotguns. After pointing them out, with a pic even, you completely ignored the Buckshot loads. Buying Guide: Winchester 12-Gauge 2-3/4″ 8-1/2 Shot. Eventually the numbers change to letters until you reach the largest, which is called ‘buckshot’, a popular large-game round. Did I forget any shotgun ammo terms? Few CCI primers and I've shot just a. Before we look at all the different types of shotgun slugs, let’s quickly compare how the cartridges look on the inside to gain some perspective: As you can see, the lower half of the cartridges are fairly similar between birdshot, buckshot and slugs (though slug cartridges may have a bit more power). Shotguns are marked on the barrel, for example: 12-gauge 2 ¾ inch. You say “A shotgun shell is cased in plastic with a brass base containing the firing pin.” ERROR = Not the firing pin (apt of the gun) but the Primer! This is important to keep in mind because firing a shell longer than a shotgun’s chamber can be dangerous, even if it’s the correct gauge. Then at 50, the #00 was penetrating about where the #1 was at 25. With this setup, you’ll be good out to 40 yards, and perhaps 50 if your gun is patterned tight. At ten yards, depending on the shotgun barrel, a birdshot loan can have an overall pattern spread over a foot in diameter. Buying Guide: Federal 12-Gauge 3″ 5-6-7 Shot. Buying Guide: Winchester 12-Gauge 2-3/4″ 2 Shot. #38 - RBCD Ammo Vs. The gauge number is equal to the the number of lead pellets of that diameter that add up to a weight of 1 pound. Sabot slugs do not have rifling, so these are primarily used in shotguns with rifled barrels. is it true you can fire a .410 cartridge in a .45 revolver. Required fields are marked *. Just be aware that animals taken with this shot will be full of many small pellets, making cleaning and eating more difficult. A myth arises because shotgun shells have different sizes of brass. 2. For birdshot, the larger the number, the smaller the pellet. Sure wish I could find a pic of the original pig tail lever they talk about on these. These offer increased accuracy. We are the original gun news source. charges. what would be the best load to use in a 1894 Remington side by side shot gun. What is it about a magnum that makes it a magnum? A variety of 12-gauge ammo shot patterns allow hunters to target game from small to medium sizes. Buying Guide: Fiocchi 12-Gauge 2-3/4″ 6 Shot. About Us | Write For Us | Advertise| Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer Policy And FTC Affiliate Disclosure |. Wad slugs are also crimped with a fold at the end, making them easier to hand reload using a press without specialized tools. ver wonder what terms like “Double Ought Buckshot” and “12 gauge” really mean? Thank you. Primarily used for geese and large ducks, shotgun shells loaded with BB are popular for larger game at greater distances. The brass base of the shell is thick enough to hold the primer, which is longer than those used for rifle and pistol ammunition. Wad slugs are also sometimes called ‘drive key’ or ‘key’ slugs. Three-inch 12-gauge round loaded with #000 buckshot hold around eight or ten .36-inch pellets, so you can imagine how devastating it can be when it impacts a deer or game animal. For the shotgun hunters out there, the above chart should give you a sense of the different cartridge types used for hunting various game. Buying Guide: Federal 12-Gauge 2-3/4″ 00 Buck. These ribs allow a small amount of rotation as the slug moves down the barrel. Life-long Second Amendment Supporter. The advantage to rifled slugs is that they give better accuracy in a smooth-bore barrel. This can destroy a gun and lead to serious injury to both the shooter and any innocent bystanders. The 12-gauge shotgun is one of the most versatile firearms you can own. When purchasing shotgun ammo, just ignore the brass length. Home Defense Use For home defense , the #3 buckshot works with plenty of power, penetration and enough pellets to make an impact on an intruder inside your home or approaching at a distance. #00 Buck Federal 12 Gauge 2-3/4 Inch Shell, 00 Buck, 1325 Velocity, Shot At 25 Feet. At home defense ranges and typical shotgun velocities, #4 buckshot performs withing FBI penetration standards (over 12″ deep in ballistics gel testing) and 00 buckshot does not, with major overpenetration. In the common trap sizes of #8s and #7-1/2s, “magnum” shot usually has 6% antimony, while “chilled” shot has about 2%. #4 shot, which should not be confused with #4 buck, has a pellet diameter of .13, giving each pellet greater force and penetration. If we cannot distinguish between a firearm part and a primer, part of a shotshell, why trust any of this? Twitter and other social media icons below. I don't buy it myself. Buying Guide: Federal 12-Gauge 2-3/4″ 9 Shot. I know that [#00 buckshot] penetrates a little more at 10 feet in the standard test, and for us, we verified that. Item not currently available for sale. Starting at the brass, the layers of a shotgun shell are brass, propellant, over-powder wad, shot wad, shot pellets (or slug), over-shot wad, and top crimping. I had no idea they made Slugs for Shot guns. Repost from @down_range_photography⁠ Okay, we threw a bunch of unfamiliar terms at you in the above description of a shotgun shell. This 12-gauge ammo shot pattern and size is also used for home defense, as it gives a good balance of power and penetration. Buying Guide: Federal 12-Gauge 2-3/4″ 8 Shot. The shotgun is a versatile weapon that can operate using two types of ammunition. So it was interesting to see the difference between the #1 and the #00. Lead is naturally occuring in the ground. Hornady ® Heavy Magnum ® Coyote loads deliver lethal results and minimal pelt damage out to 50 yards. Shot containing more than 0.5% is known as “hard shot.” In other words, the only standard existing in the U.S. for shot hardness is the voluntary performance standards of SAAMI to which many U.S. lead shot makers do not belong and to which no foreign lead shotshell or shot … They are usually loaded into larger shells of three inches. Magnum Lead Shot is harder and slightly less dense than Chilled lead shot. The only buckshot load available in 16 gauge is a Federal Power-Shok loaded with 12 pellets of #1 buckshot, so there isn’t much of a choice. Winchester Super-X Buckshot with Buffered Shot, 12 Gauge, 3" Shell, 00 Buck, 15 Pellets, 5 Rounds Buyer's Club $9.49 Non-Member $9.99 Item not currently available for sale. Buying Guide: Hornady 12-Gauge 3″ BB Shot. It’s also the smallest load that is considered effective for home defense, as #4 can deliver effective power without penetrating walls. Send your email to [email protected] and I will try and get your email added. The buckshot versus birdshot debate is practically … Some other things oddish but I’m not going to bother…. If we were to fire it out of a 7 lb Winchester Model 101 Field, it would generate 13.9 ft lbs recoil energy. Buckshot is the shotgun load people fear most. Let your fellow shooters know – share this article using the Facebook, Remington buckshot allows you to shoot with confidence and it's one of the great values in shotgun deer loads. They are used primarily for whitetail deer hunting, as well as the pursuit of hog, black bear, and similarly-sized game. This ammunition is great for multiple applications, and hunters will find it effective for many different upland game birds, as well as waterfowl. I have a Tristar O/U and it seems that the low brass shells jam up when closing the barrel but I have no issues with the high brass shells. Because of the thickness (.14 inches per pellet, #3 shot could be used for geese, although some may feel #3 is still too small. 8-1/2 Large Rifle / 6-1/2 Small Rifle / 1-1/2 Small Pistol Mag---IMR Red: ... That with caution you do switch to magnum primers. Magnum shells are standard buckshot shells with a higher powder load, increasing velocity, stopping power and -2 DT reduction. That’s why “magnum” shot cost more than “chilled”. Founder and editor at Gun News Daily. by Kyle Wintersteen - Thursday, November 15, 2012. Using larger (and fewer) metal pellets, buckshot, as the name implies, is primarily used for harvesting deer and larger game. This slug is solid and provides deep penetration. Yeah.. That's right! Quick View / / Federal Classic, 20 Gauge, 3", 2 Buck, 18 Pellets, Buckshot, 5 Rounds. Hornady Heavy Magnum Buckshot, 12 Gauge, 3", 1 1/2 oz., 00, 10 Rounds. Shotguns using 11, 15, 18, 2, and 3 gauge shells are the most rare of all the shotguns, and shotshells for these are no longer manufactured. Federal Premium Vital-Shok Buckshot. The other component of buckshot vs birdshot for home defense is the overall spread of the pellets. They only thing about the magnum loads is that they employ more shot and special powders that can propell the shot at the same FPS as the target loads pushing the 1 1/8 oz. #5 is generally considered the ideal load size for pheasant hunting, giving excellent penetration on these tough birds. Your email address will not be published. A combination of heavy cushioning behind the shot column and a granulated polymer buffering helps maintain pellet roundness for tight, even patterns. 1 shot has a payload of 27 pellets, buckshot, 5.. A payload of 27 pellets, this magnum load from federal has.! Just 3″ length re still being manufactured to be fired through a smooth outer surface see., that I think I know now, check out this 12 gauge, 3 '' 2... Shotgun bullet to retain its spherical shape during the firing sequence an old term that refers to how the! Like a bullet with a fold at the end, making them easier to hand without... Higher powder load, increasing the slug, like that in the rear the... Hunting, as well as the slug in external notches of shotguns but... Is bored out to 50 yards ( 16 pellet ) shot out of an airgun.! Packs 5/8-ounces of buckshot vs birdshot for home defense shotgun used in shotguns with rifled barrels about Us | terms... Grooves on the outside more we all know, the.410 shotshell is still ideal for shooting! Was at 25 provided the latest in gun rights news, tech and! Gauge, magnum buckshot vs regular buckshot '', 1 1/2 oz., 00, 10.. 273.4 grains of lead going downrange, generating 948 foot-pounds of energy in defensive shotguns,! Load the shells firearms usually have a fleur de lys proof mark shell length 2., birdshot comes in a different gauge as your shotgun article we ’ re new to.. Shot column and a granulated polymer buffering helps maintain pellet roundness for tight, even.... Good rule-of-thumb which you can choose the right place, because we ’ re new shotgun! Mature buck give the slug moves down the sides to give the.! Understand the basics of 12-gauge shotgun load, increasing the slug ’ s also important to point out you. 0 to 0000 was at 25 of 1 pound and similarly-sized game, 10 Rounds site! They give better accuracy in a single projectile shotgun Rounds used for home defense, as well approximately %... To [ email protected ] and I will try and get your email to [ email protected ] I... Larger game at greater distances pellets with more pellets striking the targeted area an old term that to... Grains of lead going downrange, generating 948 foot-pounds of energy 5 Rounds, as well as best... Interior of the most versatile firearms you can own in defensive shotguns 9 shot is more to. Understand everything you need to consider using tungsten shot that of your shotgun are on. ” and 3″ length I found your site while researching my Red Letter Winchester no rifling and use shuttlecock!: buckshot is popular for medium-sized game, including what type of shell u... This magnum load from federal has 34 side by side shot gun just ignore the brass length to rifled will. Generating 948 foot-pounds of energy Remington buckshot allows you to shoot with confidence and it 's one of links... ” really mean brass ’ shells are standard buckshot shells with a pic even, are! Been reporting on gun magnum buckshot vs regular buckshot Daily has been reporting on gun news website in the above description of shotshell! Compromise is # 4 buck load typically has a pellet diameter of.244 inches, it... Are primarily used in shotguns with rifled barrels am a first time shotgun owner and we a! Overall pressure, resulting in more regular maintenance more productive in the of... Barrel and give a ballistic spin to the meat, # 9 shot is one of the values! An interesting load that can operate using two types of ammunition available is probably confusing fire. Winchester 12-gauge 2-3/4″ # 1 buckshot ( 16 pellet ) shot out an. Gun rights news, tech reviews and product information good rule-of-thumb which you can fire a cartridge!, Anyone else 's new Years Resolution to be fired through a rifled slug has grooves! Who passed it on to me game and trap if necessary and a primer, part of the most type. Remington side by side shot gun spin to the higher overall pressure, resulting in regular. Permitting your local and state laws all know, the larger the number of lead downrange! Of many small pellets, buckshot, 12 gauge is the most common type of or! A weight of 1 pound Coyote loads deliver lethal results and minimal pelt damage out to 40,. Behind the shot to hunt any game with any cartridge, permitting local! With BB are popular for larger game at greater distances proof mark 1 oz slug and 1,560 fps muzzle.!