Shotgun Ammunition

Engineered for home defense, hunting, and competition

Shotgun ammunition is engineered for versatility, power, and reliability. Whether you're defending your home, hunting game birds, or competing in clay sports, selecting the right gauge, load, and shot type is essential for success.

Buckshot Types & Sizes

Buckshot uses large pellets designed for hunting large game and home defense. Buck sizes range from 000 (largest) down to #4 (smaller but still substantial). Each offers different ballistics, recoil, and effective range.

000 Buck (Triple-Aught)

Largest buckshot pellet. Limited availability; niche use only.

00 Buck (Double-Aught)

Most common for home defense and large game hunting. 8–9 pellets per 2¾" shell.

#1 Buck

Slightly smaller pellets with higher pellet count. Effective for both defense and hunting.

#4 Buck

Smaller pellets with more per shell. Reduced recoil option for sensitive shooters.

California Legal & Compliance

Buckshot ammunition has NO state-level restrictions in California for home defense, hunting, or sport use. You can legally purchase and use 00 buck, #1 buck, and other buckshot loads in CA.

Home Defense

Buckshot is legal and widely used for residential defense. No permitting or registration required for defensive ammo.

Hunting Large Game

Buckshot is legal for deer and other large game. Check your hunting season tags and bag limits; local hunting seasons vary.

Range Use

Some ranges restrict buckshot due to backstop wear. Always check range rules before bringing buckshot ammunition.

Hangtown Pro Tip

If you're planning to use buckshot for home defense, we recommend testing your defensive load at your intended engagement distance (typically 7–15 yards indoors). Bring your shotgun to Hangtown Range and we'll recommend appropriate buckshot that patterns well in your gun and choke setup. Consistency matters more than brand prestige - find what works in YOUR shotgun.

Understanding Shot Size

Shot sizes are numbered, with smaller numbers being larger pellets. Larger pellets carry energy farther and hit harder (good for hunting and defense); smaller pellets create denser patterns (good for clays and distant birds).

00 Buck, #1 Buck, #4 Buck

Largest pellets for home defense and hunting large game. Fewer pellets per shell, but each hits hard.

#5, #6, #7.5 Shot

Medium sizes for upland birds (pheasant, quail) and some duck hunting. Balanced pellet count and energy.

#8, #9 Shot

Smallest sizes for clay sports and small birds. Dense patterns but less per-pellet energy at distance.

Understanding Choke

Choke controls how tight the barrel constricts the pellet pattern as it leaves. Tighter chokes keep pellets grouped longer; more open chokes spread them out quickly.

Cylinder (Most Open)

Minimal constriction. Pattern spreads fast. Good for home defense and close-range hunting (under 20 yards).

Improved Cylinder, Modified

Medium constriction. Balanced pattern. Good for general hunting and some clay sports (15–35 yards).

Full, Extra Full, Turkey (Tightest)

Maximum constriction. Dense, tight pattern at distance. Good for long-range waterfowl, turkey, and trap shooting (30+ yards).

Hangtown Pro Tip

Bring your shotgun to Hangtown Range and tell us your intended use, distance, and choke. We'll recommend the right shot size for that choke and help you pick ammo you can pattern-test. Many shooters find certain brands pattern better in their gun than others - we can help you narrow down options.

12 Gauge (12ga)

Muzzle Velocity

~1,100–1,600 fps

Shell Lengths

2¾", 3", 3½"

Primary Uses

Home defense, clay sports, upland & waterfowl hunting, slugs for deer

Top Manufacturers

Federal, Winchester, Remington, Fiocchi, Rio, NobelSport, Estate, Hornady, Brenneke, Kent

The most versatile shotgun gauge. Ideal for clay shooting, hunting, and home defense with loads for every application.

#2

20 Gauge (20ga)

Muzzle Velocity

~1,150–1,550 fps

Shell Lengths

2¾", 3"

Primary Uses

Youth & new shooters, upland hunting, home defense, clays

Top Manufacturers

Federal, Winchester, Remington, Fiocchi, Rio, Kent

Lighter recoil than 12 gauge. Perfect for youth, new shooters, and smaller-framed adults. Still delivers effective hunting and defense loads.

#3

.410 Bore

Muzzle Velocity

~1,150–1,800 fps

Shell Lengths

2½", 3"

Primary Uses

Youth shooting, small game, compact defensive shotguns (Taurus Judge)

Top Manufacturers

Federal, Winchester, Remington, Fiocchi, Hornady, Aguila

The smallest shotgun gauge. Popular for youth shooting, small game, and ultra-compact defensive shotguns. Light payload limits range.

#4

28 Gauge (28ga)

Muzzle Velocity

~1,200–1,350 fps

Shell Lengths

2¾"

Primary Uses

Sporting clays, upland bird hunting (quail, grouse)

Top Manufacturers

Winchester, Remington, Federal, Fiocchi, Kent, NobelSport

Specialized gauge for clays and upland hunting. Requires more skill but rewards with clean shooting and low recoil.

#5

16 Gauge (16ga)

Muzzle Velocity

~1,200–1,350 fps

Shell Lengths

2¾"

Primary Uses

Upland hunting, heritage/vintage shotguns

Top Manufacturers

Federal, Winchester, Remington, Fiocchi

Classic heritage gauge. Falling out of favor but still available. Sits between 20 and 12 gauge performance.

#6

10 Gauge (10ga)

Muzzle Velocity

~1,150–1,350 fps

Shell Lengths

3½"

Primary Uses

Long-range waterfowl, geese, heavy game

Top Manufacturers

Federal, Winchester, Remington, Kent

The largest standard shotgun gauge. Used for long-range waterfowl and heavy game. Significant recoil.

#7

12 Gauge Mini Shells

Muzzle Velocity

Varies widely by load

Shell Lengths

1¾" (mini format)

Primary Uses

Higher capacity drills, reduced recoil practice, compatible pump shotguns

Top Manufacturers

Aguila (well-known), specialty brands

Reduced recoil and higher magazine capacity in compatible shotguns. Niche but growing popularity.

#8

12 Gauge Low Recoil/Tactical

Muzzle Velocity

~1,100–1,300 fps

Shell Lengths

2¾"

Primary Uses

Home defense, law enforcement, tactical training

Top Manufacturers

Federal (FliteControl), Hornady, Winchester, Remington

Popular for defensive use. Lower recoil allows faster follow-ups while maintaining terminal performance.

#9

20 Gauge Turkey/Heavy Field

Muzzle Velocity

~1,150–1,300 fps

Shell Lengths

3"

Primary Uses

Turkey hunting, dense-pattern upland loads

Top Manufacturers

Federal, Winchester, Remington, Hevi-Shot, Hornady

Purpose-built turkey and heavy upland loads. Dense patterns for longer-range hunting.

#10

12 Gauge Steel Shot Waterfowl

Muzzle Velocity

~1,350–1,550 fps

Shell Lengths

3", 3½"

Primary Uses

Waterfowl hunting (federally required non-toxic shot)

Top Manufacturers

Federal, Winchester, Remington, Kent, Hevi-Shot

Required for waterfowl hunting in the US. Steel is harder than lead, requiring larger shot sizes for equivalent performance.

California Non-Lead Ammunition Requirement

California law requires the use of non-lead (lead-free) shot and slugs for all hunting statewide. This includes upland birds, waterfowl, deer, turkey, and all other game on all California lands. Lead shot and lead slugs are prohibited for hunting purposes. Hangtown carries California-compliant steel, bismuth, tungsten, and other non-toxic shotgun loads to meet this requirement. For home defense, range use, and clay sports, standard lead loads remain legal. Ask our staff to confirm your ammo is appropriate for your intended use.