Best Shotgun Ammo: Home Defense & Range

*Ka-CHUNK*

The sound alone of racking your shotgun's slide should send intruders running, but what if it doesn't...

What if you actually had to shoot it? You'd want something that stops the bad guys.

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on selecting the best shotgun ammunition for your needs, whether you're defending your home or enjoying a day at the range.

We've simplified the complex world of 12ga and 20ga shotgun shells, so you're equipped with the knowledge to make an informed choice.

*February 2024 Update* Supplies went up in price due to the Israeli war in October 2023 and calmed down but we're seeing increased demand and shortages from California now allowing online ammo sales.

How We Chose the Best Shotgun Ammo

The Pew Pew Team has shot their fair share of shotguns.

From 3-gun competitions to sporting clays and even carrying one on duty...

We break down shotgun ammo into the three main categories of buckshot, birdshot, and slugs...with a little background info on each.

Complete with ballistics gel tests and our own overpenetration test results.

Within each category, we choose the individual loads based on availability, reliability, specs, & personal experiences.

Understanding shotgun ammunition can be daunting for new owners. So let's break it down. For a more detailed look, head to the bottom of this article for an in-depth explanation.

• 12ga Shotgun Shells: Ideal for home defense due to their stopping power.
• Birdshot: Best for target shooting, with smaller pellets perfect for clays.
• Buckshot: A home defense favorite; larger pellets mean more impact.
• Slugs: Single-projectile ammo for big-game hunting and long-range accuracy.

Best Shotgun Buckshot Ammo

"Oh, just get a 12ga shotgun with 00 buck."

These time-tested nine .38 caliber balls of lead really do their job.

But let's take a look at the ballistics gel data I got from TTAG (who got it from a now-defunct page.)

This shows what is an average of 20-inch penetration. Given the lack of clothing in front of the gel, we can guesstimate that it likely will fall towards the upper end of the 12 to 18-inch penetration sweet spot.

Editor's 12ga 00 Buck Pick - Fiocchi

Editor's 12ga 00 Buck Pick

Fiocchi 12ga 00 Buck

$15

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$15 at Palmetto State Armory

Ammunition Depot (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 12ga
• Shot Size: 00 Buckshot
• Velocity: 1,250 FPS

Fiocchi is a well-known brand, and I've shot plenty of their 9mm, .223, birdshot, and buckshot.

Their velocity is rated at 1250 fps, so it doesn't kick as badly as other 00-buck options with faster speeds. My shoulder thanks them for this.

Another big plus is that they usually stay in stock even during tough times.

What's your take on Fiocchi 00 Buck? Rate it below!

Most In-Stock 12ga 00 Buck - Black Aces Tactical

Most In-Stock 12ga 00 Buck

Black Aces 12ga 00 Buckshot

$150

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$150 at Palmetto State Armory

Specs

• Caliber: 12ga
• Shot Size: 00 Buckshot
• Velocity: 1,450 FPS

These faster velocity rounds definitely hit harder when you're shooting.

This is also great for a "break-in" round for cheaper semi-auto shotguns that have been hitting the market.

And I've been finding them the most in-stock option nowadays.

Best Range 12ga 00 Buck - Winchester Super-X

Best Range 12ga 00 Buck

Winchester 12ga Super-X 00 Buck

$14

at Ammunition Depot

Prices accurate at time of writing

$14 at Ammunition Depot

Optics Planet (see price)

PSA (see price)

Lucky Gunner (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 12ga
• Shot Size: 00 Buckshot
• Velocity: 1,325 fps

For range shooting or protection on a budget, I like the Winchester Super-X line.

Its 1,325 ft/s velocity gives it enough to cycle any modern semi-auto shotgun.

And all the Super-X rounds I've shot have gone boom when needed.

Hardest Hitting 12ga 00 Buck - Hornady Critical Defense

Hardest Hitting 12ga 00 Buck

Hornady 12ga Critical Defense 00 Buck

$16

at PSA

Prices accurate at time of writing

$16 at PSA

Optics Planet (see price)

Lucky Gunner (see price)

Another tried-and-true brand is Hornady's Critical Defense, which ups the muzzle velocity to 1,600 ft/s for extra oomph and cycling in semi-autos.

Mil-Spec 00 Buck - Winchester BuckshotSpecs

Specs

• Caliber: 12ga
• Shot Size: 00 Buckshot
• Velocity: 1,600 FPS

Mil-Spec 00 Buck

Winchester 12ga 00 Buck Military

$8

at PSA

Prices accurate at time of writing

$8 at PSA

Optics Planet (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 12ga
• Shot Size: 00 Buckshot
• Velocity: 1,325 FPS

These mil-spec rounds look great with their OD green hulls and high-base black anodized head.

I've shot a lot of these with 100% reliability, and I swear it's higher velocity than the stated 1325 ft/s.

Another great option for 00 rounds.

12ga #4 Buckshot Pick - Federal Hydra-Shok

12ga #4 Buckshot Pick

Federal 12ga #4 Buckshot Hydra-Shok

$10

at Optics Planet

Prices accurate at time of writing

$10 at Optics Planet

Lucky Gunner (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 12ga
• Shot Size: #4 Buckshot
• Velocity: 1,325 FPS

If you read around, you'll likely see some people suggest 12 gauge #4 buckshot if you're afraid of thin walls and adjacent family/neighbors.

Think 27 pellets of a smaller diameter...

It looks pretty good with what looks like 14.5-inches penetration...what we would deem the minimum acceptable load. 

However, it's nowhere near the ammo selection of 00 buck.

20ga Defensive Pick - Winchester 20ga #3 Buckshot Defense

20ga Defensive Pick

Winchester 20ga #3 Buckshot Defender

$18

at PSA

Prices accurate at time of writing

$18 at PSA

Lucky Gunner (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 20ga
• Shot Size: #3 Buckshot
• Velocity: 1,145 FPS

We're going down in terms of shotgun barrel diameter with 20 gauge (yup, it's the opposite and weird).

Probably the smallest you'll want to go.

And with that smaller gauge, the ammo selection drops as well. Much less oomph and very manageable even for smaller-stature people.

Best Shotgun Birdshot Ammo

Great for hunting and shooting at clays but not the best for home defense.

You can see the #8 birdshot does not penetrate the recommended 12 to 18-inches...even without clothes in front.

#4 birdshot (which is much bigger) fares only slightly better.

So, let's focus on range shooting rounds...

Editor's Birdshot Pick - Federal Top Gun

Editor's Birdshot Pick

Federal 12 Gauge Top Gun Birdshot

$9

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$9 at Palmetto State Armory

OpticsPlanet (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 12ga
• Shot Size: #7.5 or #8 Birdshot
• Velocity: 1,145 FPS

One of my go-to picks for bulk birdshot shooting...

1200 ft/sec muzzle velocity which works with most higher-quality semis or broken in more budget options.

I usually go for #8 or #7.5 birdshot size.

Most Affordable 12ga Birdshot - Rio Star Team Evo

Most Affordable 12ga Birdshot

Rio Star Team EVO 12ga Birdshot

$11

at Ammunition Depot

Prices accurate at time of writing

$11 at Ammunition Depot

Specs

• Caliber: 12ga
• Shot Size: #7.5 Birdshot

A newer pick for me, but they seem to keep in stock and are the most affordable right now.

Plus, their 1340 fps runs my semi-autos decently.

Also Great Birdshot - Nobel Sport 12ga

Also Great Birdshot

Nobel Sport 12ga Birdshot

$14

at Ammunition Depot

Prices accurate at time of writing

$14 at Ammunition Depot

Optics Planet (see price)

PSA (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 12ga
• Shot Size: #7.5 or #8 Birdshot
• Velocity: 1,200 FPS

Usually, the most affordable and available on the market.

1200 ft/s, so it might not work in all semi-autos.

I've shot other Nobel branded shotgun rounds, and they've all been fine.

Best Shotgun Slugs

A slug is a 1 oz piece of solid lead...usually rifled for better spin and accuracy.

Definitely overkill unless you have perfect aim and no neighbors for some distance.

Yup, you read that right...it's around 27 inches of penetration. Great for hunting/protection against bigger critters...but not of the two-footed humankind.

Editor's Pick 12ga Slug - Federal Vital-Shok

Editor's Pick 12ga Slug

Federal 12ga Rifled Slug Vital-Shok

$7

at PSA

Prices accurate at time of writing

$7 at PSA

Lucky Gunner (see price)

Brownells (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 12ga
• Shot Size: 1oz Slug
• Velocity: 1,600 FPS

A classic of the ages and ready to stop any threat you put it up against.

Quite some oomph with 1,600 fps. Make sure you have some sort of more precise iron (such as a ghost ring) or an optic to get on target.

More Affordable 12ga Slug - Winchester HP Rifled Slug

More Affordable 12ga Slug

Winchester 12ga HP Rifled Slug

$7

at PSA

Prices accurate at time of writing

$7 at PSA

Lucky Gunner (see price)

Brownells (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 12ga
• Shot Size: 1oz Slug, Hollow Point
• Velocity: 1,600 FPS

Normally a cheaper option, but still reliable and accurate.

Will run most semi-autos well with its high velocity.

What Makes a Good Defensive Round?

In our other defensive round reviews (9mm, .45 ACP, .40 S&W, 5.56/.223), we show examples of how the FBI conducts ballistics gel tests to test loads.

• 10 feet away to simulate average defensive gun use distance
• Addition of clothing (you can see on the left side there are four layers for a "worst case")
• 12-18 inches of penetration (ideal to actually hit vital organs and some leeway for bigger people or in case the intruder has limbs in front of their torso)

However, there's not as much good data for shotgun loads so we will have to make do with what we've got.

Review of Shotgun Loads

Before we do...let's quickly review the three main types of shotgun loads. For a more in-depth guide, check out our Shotgun Terms article.

Birdshot

What's birdshot, you ask?

Think of it as lots of little BBs spreading out so you can hit birds/clays. 

The larger the number in front of the shot (eg. #9 shot), the smaller but more plentiful the BBs.

Also, understand that the shotgun is not a magical death machine where you simply aim into a room and get everyone. Below is the pattern of 7.5 birdshot at 10-yards.

Buckshot

Much larger BBs than birdshot, the most plentiful buckshot round is 00 buck ("double-aught buck"). It has eight to nine pellets, each roughly 8.4mm in diameter. 

You don't want to get hit by any of those...let alone nine.

Again, larger numbers of buckshot (such as #1 or #4) have increasingly smaller pellets. While more 0's get bigger.

This type is made for hunting and self-defense.

Buckshot requires pretty good aim. Check out standard 00 buck at 10 yards.

Slugs

This type of shotgun ammo consists of one big piece of metal, usually around 1 ounce. 

It's great for well-aimed shots and has decent distance as well.

I've had to ring steel at 120 yards for some competitions, and although it's hard...it's doable with slugs.

Shotgun Ammo for Other Gauges

Up til now, we've focused on the 12-gauge, which is by far the most popular. I'm not super familiar with the other gauges, so I'm following the recommendations of Internet Armory.

.410-Gauge

Weak caliber...even with slugs. Avoid for self-defense.

20-Gauge

Great for smaller-stature people. The smaller 20 gauge delivers 70% of the lead with a 40-50% reduction in recoil when compared to 12 ga.

10-Gauge

Lols, you can probably go with anything for this "canon."

Final Thoughts

There you have it...our recommendations for the best shotgun ammo for home defense and target shooting.

So try a bunch of them out and see what shoots and patterns best in YOUR shotgun.

There are also a lot more types at our favorite stores that have a good selection of shotgun ammo:

• Palmetto State Armory
• True Shot Gun Club
• Optics Planet

What did you end up liking the best? Let us know in the comments! And check out our other shotgun articles:

• Best Home Defense Tactical Shotguns
• Best Semi-Auto Shotguns
• Mossberg 500 vs Remington 870

Latest Updates

February 2024- Featuring the latest in-stock options and industry update