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More than half of all shotguns are chambered for 12 gauge ammo. The popularity of this shotshell is a result of its versatility. 12 gauge shotgun shells are appropriately sized for a variety of activities like bird hunting, deer hunting, home defense, and competitive shotgun shooting, such as trap or skeet. While it generally delivers light to moderate felt recoil, 12 gauge ammo is also available in hard-hitting magnum loads. Whether you're looking for 12 gauge buckshot, birdshot, slugs, or other 12 gauge shotgun shells, you can find them all right here. We also have a wide variety of 12 gauge 3 inch shells, as well as plenty of other lengths, so you can get the perfect ammo for any situation or activity.![]()
What Are the Different Types of 12 Gauge Shells?
The main types of shotgun shells are birdshot, slugs, and buckshot. Some manufacturers load 12 gauge shells with either lead or a lead-free material like steel or tungsten. What is loaded in 12 gauge ammo affects it's muzzle velocity and energy. For example, on paper, a 12ga target shell by Winchester Ammunition weighing 1 ounce and measuring in at 2.75-inches in length will deliver a muzzle velocity of 1,180 feet per second. While this is standard for this shell, a 12 gauge shell from Federal Premium Field & Range with a 1-ounce slug has a muzzle velocity of 1,375 ft/s.
What Is the Difference Between Buckshot vs. Slug?
Buckshot was originally designed for deer hunting. 12 gauge buckshot ammo holds a varying number of large, round pellets. For example, one of the most common types of buckshot is 00 Buck (pronounced double-aught buck), and it holds 9 pellets. On the other hand, a 12 gauge slug is a single projectile, usually shaped like a traditional bullet but being much larger and weighing about 1 ounce. Buckshot works because the pellets spread, but it loses accuracy at range. Slugs are beneficial because they tend to remain accurate at longer distances and pack a larger punch, but sacrifice the spread.
What Is the Difference Between 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge Ammo?
The smaller the gauge of a rifle, the larger the shell it accepts. This also usually means that the shell is more powerful, has larger projectiles, and contains more propellant. Therefore, a 12 gauge shotgun is made for much larger game than a 20 gauge shotgun, which is usually only used for target shooting and small bird and game hunting. Additionally, the shells are often longer in length with smaller gauges, which is why 3 inch shells are a popular form of 12 gauge ammo.
Buy 12 Gauge Ammo Online at OpticsPlanet
Find a variety of 12 gauge shotgun shells in stock, including Remington 12 gauge ammo, 12 gauge turkey loads, and other high-quality 12 guage shotgun ammo. Get the best deals possible whether you shop on our desktop website or top-rated mobile app. Buy a box of shotgun ammo or buy bulk ammo today!
884 Products in 12 Gauge Ammo
Best Rated Product
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- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 10
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1600 ft/s
- Application: Personal Defense
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Best Rated Product
Our customers have spoken – this is one of the best rated products in the Ammunition category! See more best rated Ammunition products
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 10
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1600 ft/s
- Application: Personal Defense
Best Rated Product
Our customers have spoken – this is one of the best rated products in the Ammunition category! See more best rated Ammunition products
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 7.5, 8, 9
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1180 ft/s
Best Rated Product
Our customers have spoken – this is one of the best rated products in the Ammunition category! See more best rated Ammunition products
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25, 100
- Shot Size: 7.5, 8, 9
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1145 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 5
- Shot Size: 2
- Shell Length: 3 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1200 ft/s
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- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 15
- Shot Size: 9
- Shell Length: 3 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1200 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 100
- Shot Size: 8
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1145 ft/s
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Best Rated Product
Our customers have spoken – this is one of the best rated products in the Ammunition category! See more best rated Ammunition products
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25, 250
- Shot Size: 4, 5, 6 and 2 more
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1330 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: BBB
- Shell Length: 3 1/2 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1500 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 5
- Shell Length: 3 1/2 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1150 ft/s
- Included Accessories: Standard
Best Rated Product
Our customers have spoken – this is one of the best rated products in the Ammunition category! See more best rated Ammunition products
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 2, 3, 4 and 1 more
- Shell Length: 3 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1550 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 5
- Shell Length: 3 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1100 ft/s
- Application: Medium Game
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 7.5, 8, 8.5 and 1 more
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1180 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 5
- Shell Length: 3 1/2 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1200 ft/s
- Included Accessories: Standard
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 7.5
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1350 ft/s
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- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 5
- Shot Size: 9
- Shell Length: 3 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1200 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 10
- Shot Size: BB
- Shell Length: 3 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1300 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 5
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in, 3 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1300 ft/s, 1600 ft/s, 1700 ft/s
- Application: Medium Game
Stock up and Save 15% on Select Ammunition from Hornady!
Eligible models will have a savings offer and the coupon code to use below. Add the item to your cart and enter the coupon for savings on that select model! Limited time only. Cannot be combined with other promotions or offers. See promotion details.
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- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 10
- Shot Size: BB
- Shell Length: 3 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1300 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 10
- Shot Size: 00 Buck
- Shell Length: 1 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1250 ft/s
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- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 4, BB, BBB and 1 more
- Shell Length: 3 1/2 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1550 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 10
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1045 ft/s
- Application: General
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 5
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1575 ft/s
- Application: Medium Game
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 1 Buck
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1450 ft/s
This item is currently on sale and has a new, lower price! See more items on sale
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 3
- Shell Length: 3 1/2 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1550 ft/s
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- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 10
- Shot Size: 12
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1575 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 8
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1250 ft/s
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- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 2
- Shell Length: 3 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1300 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 7.5, 8
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1250 ft/s
We’ve just added this new product to OpticsPlanet. Be the first to get it! See more new items
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 5
- Shot Size: 9
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1200 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 1, 2, 6
- Shell Length: 3 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1450 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 2, 3, 4 and 1 more
- Shell Length: 3 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1450 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 5
- Shell Length: 3 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1350 ft/s
- Gauge: 12, 16
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 7.5, 8
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1165 ft/s, 1250 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 5
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1325 ft/s
- Application: Medium Game
Best Rated Product
Our customers have spoken – this is one of the best rated products in the Ammunition category! See more best rated Ammunition products
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 10
- Shell Length: 3 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1300 ft/s
- Included Accessories: Standard
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 10
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1560 ft/s
- Application: Big Game
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 4, 5, 6
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1485 ft/s
This item is currently on sale and has a new, lower price! See more items on sale
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 7.5, 8
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1300 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 10
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 790 ft/s
- Application: Self-Defense
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 5
- Shot Size: 00 Buck
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1145 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 2
- Shell Length: 3 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1550 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 7, 8
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1165 ft/s, 1200 ft/s, 1250 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 2
- Shell Length: 3 1/2 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1475 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 5, 6
- Shell Length: 3 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1350 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 80
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1150 ft/s
- Application: Medium Game
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 5
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1290 ft/s
- Application: Medium Game
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 10
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Bullet Type: Rifled Slug (RS)
- Cartridge Case Material: Brass
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 10
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1145 ft/s
- Included Accessories: Standard
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 5
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1485 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 2
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1145 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 5
- Shell Length: 3 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1550 ft/s
- Application: Big Game
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 15
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1325 ft/s
- Application: Big Game, Turkey
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 4, BB
- Shell Length: 3 1/2 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1500 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 5
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1350 ft/s
- Application: Big Game
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 5
- Shell Length: 3 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1040 ft/s
- Included Accessories: Standard
This item is currently on sale and has a new, lower price! See more items on sale
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 4
- Shell Length: 3 1/2 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1550 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 10
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1150 ft/s
- Application: Medium Game
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 7.5
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1330 ft/s
- Gauge: 12
- Number of Rounds: 25
- Shot Size: 6
- Shell Length: 2 3/4 in
- Muzzle Velocity: 1485 ft/s