The 12 gauge is by far the most versatile and handles a huge range of loads. This is the standard and the most versatile gauge of all. The 12 gauge shoots everything from nearly recoilless 3/4-ounce practice loads to 2 1/4-ounce turkey stompers. Ammunition is available everywhere, and the volume of 12 gauge sales keeps prices low. If you own only one gun, it should be a 12 gauge.

Example load types

• Bird Shot : Birdshot is the smallest type of shotgun pellets. It is typically used by hunters who want to shoot birds or other flying wildlife. Inside a birdshot shell are small steel or lead spheres that scatter outward once it is fired from the shotgun. The more metal spheres, or pellets, that get packed into a shell the more the pellets will scatter around the target area. The reason why this type of ammunition works best for shooting birds is because it is easier to hit them with it.



• Buckshot : Buckshot is shotgun ammunition that uses large metal pellets in the shotgun shells. When the buckshot is fired from the shotgun the pellets scatter outward just like the birdshot. The only difference is the buckshot does more damage than the birdshot because it uses larger pellets. The bigger the pellets, the more impact it will have on the target.



• Slug : A slug is actually a word that describes a shotgun bullet. Most people use the term shot when describing the ammunition of a shotgun, but slugs are also another type of shotgun ammunition. The difference between birdshot and slugs is the slugs have a one solid lead or steel projectile that gets shot out. This makes them the most powerful and damaging ammunition you can use with your shotgun. There are actually many slug variations on the market