12 Gauge

About this caliber

12 gauge is the most common and versatile shotgun chambering, used for everything from hunting to home defense to clay target sports.

Commonly used for

HuntingHome defenseRange / targetCompetition

The 12 gauge is a shotgun bore size rather than a single load — it fires a wide variety of shells, from birdshot and buckshot to slugs, which makes it extremely versatile. Recoil is generally stout compared with smaller gauges and varies considerably with the specific load and the weight of the gun. Ammunition is widely available and inexpensive for common target and field loads. Its power and shell variety make it a mainstay for waterfowl and upland hunting, home defense, and shotgun sports such as trap, skeet, and sporting clays. It suits shooters who can manage more recoil and want one platform that handles many tasks.

General information about this caliber — not a recommendation for this specific firearm.

Load	Type	Purpose	Grain	Velocity	Energy
Aguila Buckshot	—	Defense	—	1275 fps	—
Aguila Minishell	—	Defense	—	1200 fps	—
Barnes Bullets Defense	—	Defense	—	1200 fps	—
Barnes Bullets Defense	—	Defense	—	1325 fps	—
Barnes Bullets Defense	—	Defense	—	1200 fps	—
Brenneke ATS	—	Defense	—	1680 fps	—
Brenneke Self Defense	—	Defense	—	315 fps	—
Brenneke SFSM	—	Defense	—	1418 fps	—
Federal Premium	—	Defense	—	1145 fps	—
Federal Premium	—	Defense	—	1245 fps	—
Federal Premium	—	Defense	—	1245 fps	—
Fiocchi Aero	—	Defense	—	1560 fps	—
Fiocchi Aero	—	Defense	—	1560 fps	—
Fiocchi Defense Dynamics	—	Defense	—	1325 fps	—
Fiocchi Defense Dynamics	—	Defense	—	1250 fps	—
Fiocchi Rubber Baton	—	Defense	—	740 fps	—
Hornady American Gunner	—	Defense	—	1600 fps	—
Hornady Black	—	Defense	—	1600 fps	—
Hornady Critical Defense	—	Defense	—	1600 fps	—
Remington Ammunition Slugger	—	Defense	—	1200 fps	—
Remington Ammunition Ultimate Defense	—	Defense	—	1200 fps	—
Remington Ammunition Ultimate Defense	—	Defense	—	1225 fps	—
Remington Ammunition Ultimate Defense	—	Defense	—	1200 fps	—
Remington Ammunition Ultimate Defense	—	Defense	—	1225 fps	—
Sellier & Bellot Breaching	—	Defense	—	1673 fps	—
Sellier & Bellot Shotgun	—	Defense	—	919 fps	—
Sellier & Bellot Shotgun	—	Defense	—	886 fps	—
Sellier & Bellot Shotgun	—	Defense	—	1476 fps	—
Winchester Ammo Defender	—	Defense	—	1145 fps	—
Winchester Ammo Defender	—	Defense	—	1145 fps	—
Winchester Ammo PDX1 Defender	—	Defense	—	1150 fps	—
Winchester Ammo PDX1 Defender	—	Defense	—	1600 fps	—
Aguila Buckshot	—	Hunting	—	1275 fps	—
Aguila Game Load	—	Hunting	—	1330 fps	—
Aguila Game Load	—	Hunting	—	1330 fps	—
Aguila Game Load	—	Hunting	—	1330 fps	—
Aguila Game Load	—	Hunting	—	1330 fps	—
Aguila Game Load	—	Hunting	—	1330 fps	—
Aguila Game Load	—	Hunting	—	1200 fps	—
Aguila Game Load	—	Hunting	—	1200 fps	—
Aguila Game Load	—	Hunting	—	1200 fps	—
Aguila Pichon Plus	—	Hunting	—	1400 fps	—
Aguila Pichon Plus	—	Hunting	—	1400 fps	—
Aguila Pichon Plus	—	Hunting	—	1400 fps	—
B&P AMMUNITION Competition Flyer	—	Hunting	—	1255 fps	—
B&P AMMUNITION Competition Flyer	—	Hunting	—	1255 fps	—
B&P AMMUNITION Competition Flyer	—	Hunting	—	1350 fps	—
B&P AMMUNITION Competition Flyer	—	Hunting	—	1305 fps	—
B&P AMMUNITION Competition Flyer	—	Hunting	—	1305 fps	—
B&P AMMUNITION Heavy Dove & Quail	—	Hunting	—	1255 fps	—

12 Gauge

Firearms chambered in 12 Gauge · 175

Ammunition in 12 Gauge · 1040

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