No doubt, for some of the millions of new gun owners that have joined the ranks over the past five years, gun parlance and terminology can be a bit confusing, to say the least. Even more so if you don’t have a mentor to get you into the shooting sports.
Even a mere box of 12 gauge shells can be confused, but understanding what all the stamps and markings mean is critical to ensuring you get appropriate ammo based on application, whether it’s defensive or sporting.
Here’s what to know about the markings on a box of 12 gauge ammo.
- Gauge: To keep things as simple as possible, gauge refers to the diameter of the shotshell. The number of the gauge is also inversely proportional to the diameter of the shell; that is, a 12 gauge shell is wider and larger than a 20 gauge shell, which is larger than a 28 gauge shell, and so on and so forth. The only “gauge” that doesn’t follow this convention is .410 bore, which is actually a caliber and not a gauge. You don’t need to get too into the weeds with this, but what you do need to know is that it is of critical importance that you know your shotgun’s gauge and only ever attempt to load shells of that gauge into it
- Shell length: A shotgun’s chamber is designed to accept shells of a certain length; this information will be in your gun’s owner’s manual and also likely stamped on the receiver or barrel. For instance, most 12 gauge shotguns can chamber and fire 2 ¾” and 3” shells; a special chamber is required to fire 3 ½” shells, which are commonly used for turkey and waterfowl hunting. Just make sure you only try to shoot shells of appropriate length for your gun.
- Shot size: Shotgun shells can be loaded with a single projectile or with shot. Typically, when loaded with a single projectile, they are loaded with a slug, a sabot, or a ball. Shot is subdivided into buck and bird shot (or fine shot). Buck shot is larger and bird shot is much smaller. Also, the number of the shot size is also inversely related to the size of the shot. For instance, #8 bird shot is finer than #4 bird shot. It is very important to understand this as shot size utilized is a matter of safety and legality. For instance, certain shot sizes are allowed (and forbidden) during certain seasons. Make sure you are aware of what the shells are loaded with before you buy.
- Payload weight: Payload weight is measured in ounces; the higher the payload weight, the more energy will be delivered to the target, all else being equal.
- Muzzle velocity: Muzzle velocity is measured in FPS, or feet per second. Also like payload weight, the higher the muzzle velocity, the more energy the projectile (or cumulative shot spread) will deliver.
A Note on Types of Shot
While shotgun shells loaded with shot are typically loaded with lead shot, some are also loaded with non-toxic shot, which is typically steel, bismuth, or tungsten. It is important to be aware of what a shell is loaded with if purchasing for hunting applications as some seasons and locations require you to use non-toxic shot.
Where to Get 12 Gauge Ammo Online
If you landed here looking for a place where you can buy 12 gauge ammo online, check out Able Ammo first. They carry a wide range of brands in shotshells at competitive prices. Put the information in here to use before you buy shells online so you know what you’re getting – and if you have questions, ask before you buy.
