Guide

12 Gauge Ammo 2026: Buckshot and Slug Loads From the Makers

By Cole Harlan, EditorUpdated Nov 4, 2026How we verifyEditorial standards

We checked 66 current 12 gauge buckshot and slug loads on Federal's, Remington's and Hornady's own product pages on November 4, 2026: 33 from Federal, 26 from Remington and 7 from Hornady. 43 are buckshot and 23 are slugs. The shell lengths, payloads, velocities, test barrels and statuses below are copied from the maker pages. We don't use retailer prices, patterning tests or third-party ballistics. The Cartridge column shows the name the maker page uses. This is a comparison of popular loads from 3 makers, not every 12 gauge load sold.

Scope: this guide covers only defense and hunting buckshot and slug loads for which the maker page lists a velocity. It does not cover birdshot, steel or waterfowl loads, turkey loads, target or clay loads, or other gauges. Grouping follows each maker's own usage label ("Self-Defense" and "Big Game"). Hornady prints no usage label or stock status on our capture, so its loads sit in their own table.

Self-defense buckshot

These are the buckshot loads Federal and Remington label Self-Defense on their own pages. Federal's 4 Buck load F127 4B carries both a "Big Game" and a "Self-Defense" label and sits here. Pellet counts are the "Payload Pellets" figure on each page.

Download these 66 loads as a CSV: maker, load, item number, bullet, muzzle velocity, muzzle energy, test barrel, box count, maker status and the maker URL for each row. No prices. Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0; more files on our open data page.

Load	Cartridge	Item #	Shell length	Buck size	Pellets	Muzzle velocity	Test barrel	Box	Maker status (Nov. 4)
Federal Personal Defense Shotshell FORCE X2	12 Gauge	PD12FX2 00	2-3/4in	00 Buck	9	1,250 fps	Not listed on maker page	10	Available
Federal Personal Defense Shotshell Force X2 Shorty	12 Gauge	PD129FX2 00	1-3/4in	00 Buck	6	1,245 fps	Not listed on maker page	10	Available
Federal Personal Defense Shotshell with FLITECONTROL Wad	12 Gauge	PD132 00	2-3/4in	00 Buck	9	1,145 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal Personal Defense Shotshell with FLITECONTROL Wad	12 Gauge	PD132NRA 00	2-3/4in	00 Buck	9	1,145 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Discontinued
Federal Power-Shok Buckshot	12 Gauge	F127 4B	2-3/4in	4 Buck	27	1,325 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Remington Ultimate Defense Shotshell	12 Gauge	20711	2-3/4in	00 Buck	8	1,200 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Remington Ultimate Defense Shotshell	12 Gauge	20713	2-3/4in	00 Buck	9	1,325 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Currently Unavailable
Remington Ultimate Defense Shotshell	12 Gauge	20637	2-3/4in	4 Buck	21	1,200 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Remington Ultimate Defense Shotshell	12 Gauge	R20633	3in	00 Buck	15	1,225 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Currently Unavailable
Remington Ultimate Defense Shotshell	12 Gauge	20639	3in	4 Buck	41	1,225 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Currently Unavailable

Hunting buckshot

These are the buckshot loads Federal and Remington label Big Game. Pellet counts are the "Payload Pellets" figure on each page, and the table leaves a cell as "Not listed on maker page" where a page prints none.

Load	Cartridge	Item #	Shell length	Buck size	Pellets	Muzzle velocity	Test barrel	Box	Maker status (Nov. 4)
Federal Buckshot	12 Gauge	P156 00	2-3/4in	00 Buck	12	1,290 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal Buckshot	12 Gauge	P154 00	2-3/4in	00 Buck	9	1,325 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal Buckshot	12 Gauge	P154 1B	2-3/4in	1 Buck	16	1,325 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal Buckshot	12 Gauge	P135F 00	3-1/2in	00 Buck	18	1,100 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal Buckshot	12 Gauge	P158 00	3in	00 Buck	15	1,100 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal Buckshot	12 Gauge	P158 000	3in	000 Buck	10	1,225 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal Buckshot	12 Gauge	P158 4B	3in	4 Buck	41	1,100 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal Buckshot with FLITECONTROL Wad	12 Gauge	PFC154 00	2-3/4in	00 Buck	9	1,325 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal Buckshot with FLITECONTROL Wad	12 Gauge	PFC157 00	3in	00 Buck	12	1,325 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal Power-Shok Buckshot	12 Gauge	F130 00	2-3/4in	00 Buck	12	1,290 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal Power-Shok Buckshot	12 Gauge	F127 00	2-3/4in	00 Buck	9	1,325 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal Power-Shok Buckshot	12 Gauge	F127 0015	2-3/4in	00 Buck	9	1,325 fps	Not listed on maker page	15	Available
Federal Power-Shok Buckshot	12 Gauge	F127 000	2-3/4in	000 Buck	8	1,325 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal Power-Shok Buckshot	12 Gauge	F127 1B	2-3/4in	1 Buck	16	1,325 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal Power-Shok Buckshot	12 Gauge	F131 00	3in	00 Buck	15	1,210 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal Power-Shok Buckshot	12 Gauge	F131 4B	3in	4 Buck	41	1,210 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal Power-Shok Buckshot - Low Recoil	12 Gauge	H132 00	2-3/4in	00 Buck	9	1,140 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Remington Express Buckshot	12 Gauge	20622	2-3/4in	0 Buck	12	1,275 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Remington Express Buckshot	12 Gauge	20411	2-3/4in	00 Buck	9	1,325 fps	Not listed on maker page	25	Available
Remington Express Buckshot	12 Gauge	20413	2-3/4in	00 Buck	9	1,325 fps	Not listed on maker page	100	Available
Remington Express Buckshot	12 Gauge	20620	2-3/4in	00 Buck	9	1,325 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Remington Express Buckshot	12 Gauge	26876	2-3/4in	00 Buck	9	1,325 fps	Not listed on maker page	15	Available
Remington Express Buckshot	12 Gauge	20406	2-3/4in	000 Buck	8	1,325 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Remington Express Buckshot	12 Gauge	20624	2-3/4in	1 Buck	16	1,250 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Remington Express Buckshot	12 Gauge	20626	2-3/4in	4 Buck	27	1,325 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Remington Express Magnum Buckshot	12 Gauge	20632	2-3/4in	00 Buck	12	1,290 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Currently Unavailable
Remington Express Magnum Buckshot	12 Gauge	20280	3-1/2in	00 Buck	18	1,125 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Remington Express Magnum Buckshot	12 Gauge	20636	3in	00 Buck	15	1,225 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Currently Unavailable
Remington Express Magnum Buckshot	12 Gauge	20408	3in	000 Buck	10	1,225 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Currently Unavailable
Remington Express Magnum Buckshot	12 Gauge	20640	3in	4 Buck	41	1,225 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Currently Unavailable
Remington Managed Recoil - Buckshot	12 Gauge	20282	2-3/4in	00 Buck	Not listed on maker page	1,200 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Currently Unavailable

Slug loads

These are the slug loads Federal and Remington label Big Game: rifled slugs, sabot slugs and copper sabot slugs. Slug weight is the "Grain Weight" on each page, with the "Shot Weight" in ounces where the page gives one. Whether a slug is made for a rifled or a smoothbore barrel is on the maker's page, so check it against your barrel before you buy.

Load	Cartridge	Item #	Shell length	Slug weight	Muzzle velocity	Test barrel	Box	Maker status (Nov. 4)
Federal Freight Train Copper Sabot Slug	12 Gauge	P152 FT	2-3/4in	300 gr, 11/16 oz	1,900 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal Freight Train Copper Sabot Slug	12 Gauge	P151 FT	3in	300 gr, 11/16 oz	2,000 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal Power-Shok Rifled Slug	12 Gauge	F127 RS	2-3/4in	438 gr, 1 oz	1,610 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal Power-Shok Rifled Slug	12 Gauge	F130 RS	2-3/4in	547 gr, 1 1/4 oz	1,520 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal Power-Shok Rifled Slug	12 Gauge	F131 RS	3in	547 gr, 1 1/4 oz	1,600 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal Power-Shok Sabot Slug	12 Gauge	F127 SS2	2-3/4in	438 gr, 1 oz	1,500 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal Trophy Copper Sabot Slug	12 Gauge	P152 TC	2-3/4in	300 gr, 2/3 oz	1,900 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Discontinued
Federal TruBall Deep Penetrator Rifled Slug	12 Gauge	PB127 DPRS	2-3/4in	438 gr, 1 oz	1,350 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal TruBall Rifled Slug	12 Gauge	PB127 LRS	2-3/4in	438 gr, 1 oz	1,300 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal TruBall Rifled Slug	12 Gauge	PB127 RS	2-3/4in	438 gr, 1 oz	1,600 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Federal TruBall Rifled Slug	12 Gauge	PB131 RS	3in	438 gr, 1 oz	1,700 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Remington Managed Recoil Slugger	12 Gauge	20290	2-3/4in	438 gr, 1 oz	1,200 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Remington Premier AccuTip Sabot Slug	12 Gauge	20727	2-3/4in	385 gr, 7/8 oz	1,850 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Currently Unavailable
Remington Premier AccuTip Sabot Slug	12 Gauge	20731	3in	385 gr, 5/8 oz	1,900 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Currently Unavailable
Remington Slugger High Velocity Rifled Slug	12 Gauge	28600	2-3/4in	383 gr, 7/8 oz	1,800 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Remington Slugger High Velocity Rifled Slug	12 Gauge	28604	3in	383 gr, 7/8 oz	1,875 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Available
Remington Slugger Rifled Slug	12 Gauge	20300	2-3/4in	438 gr, 1 oz	1,560 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Currently Unavailable
Remington Slugger Rifled Slug	12 Gauge	26880	2-3/4in	438 gr, 1 oz	1,560 fps	Not listed on maker page	15	Currently Unavailable

Hornady loads

Hornady's pages show no usage label and no stock status on our capture, so these loads are listed by product line. The slug velocities are the muzzle figures from each page's ballistics table. For the two buckshot loads, Hornady prints pellet count, shell length and velocity in the page's feature text and no ballistics table, so the test barrel is not listed.

Load	Cartridge	Item #	Type	Shell length	Payload	Muzzle velocity	Test barrel	Box	Maker status (Nov. 4)
Hornady Critical Defense	12 GA	86240	Buckshot	2-3/4in	8 pellets, 00 Buck	1,600 fps	Not listed on maker page	10	Not listed on maker page
Hornady Varmint Express	12 GA	86243	Buckshot	2-3/4in	24 pellets, 4 Buck	1,350 fps	Not listed on maker page	10	Not listed on maker page
Hornady American Gunner	12 GA	86231	Slug	Not listed on maker page	1 oz slug	1,300 fps	Not listed on maker page	5	Not listed on maker page
Hornady American Whitetail	12 GA	86271	Slug	Not listed on maker page	325 gr slug	1,825 fps	24 in	5	Not listed on maker page
Hornady Custom Lite	12 GA	86230	Slug	Not listed on maker page	300 gr slug	1,575 fps	24 in	5	Not listed on maker page
Hornady SST	12 GA	8623	Slug	Not listed on maker page	300 gr slug	2,000 fps	24 in	5	Not listed on maker page
Hornady Superformance	12 GA	86236	Slug	Not listed on maker page	300 gr slug	1,950 fps	24 in	5	Not listed on maker page

Muzzle velocity is the figure each maker page prints. "Buck size" is the shot size on the page, such as 00 Buck. "Box" is the round count the maker lists per box. Status is the maker's own wording on its product page, and it can change daily. All pages checked November 4, 2026.

Barrel length, choke and the test barrel

A shotshell's velocity depends on the barrel and, for shot, the choke it was measured with. Of the 66 loads, 62 list no test barrel on the maker page and 4 list a 24 in barrel (Hornady's slugs). SAAMI's standard 12 gauge test barrels for 2-3/4 in and 3 in shells, both smooth bore and rifled, are 30 in long, with velocity measured 3 ft from the muzzle. SAAMI says its velocity and pressure test barrels for lead shot should have a choke constriction of .031 in (plus or minus .005 in). Its table for rifled slug loads, which it describes as made for smooth-bore firearms, says they are fired in test barrels with that same choke, and its table for saboted slug loads says they are fired in rifled standard test barrels. So a maker figure from a different barrel, or a shorter barrel than the one the maker used, can differ from the box. We don't convert or adjust any figure.

12 gauge: what SAAMI lists

SAAMI's shotshell standard is ANSI/SAAMI Z299.2, titled "Voluntary Industry Performance Standards for Pressure and Velocity of Shotshell Ammunition for the Use of Commercial Manufacturers." The PDF on saami.org is the 2015 edition reaffirmed in 2019 (file name dated 2025-09-23). SAAMI measures shotshell pressure with a piezoelectric transducer system and gives pressure as maximum average pressure (MAP) in psi. For 12 gauge it lists a MAP of 11,500 psi (the table shows 115 in psi/100) for lead buckshot loads in 2-3/4 in and 3 in shells, and 14,000 psi (140) for 3-1/2 in buckshot. For 12 gauge rifled slug loads and saboted slug loads it lists a MAP of 11,500 psi for 2-3/4 in and 3 in shells. The 12 gauge 2-3/4 in cartridge drawing was issued 05/29/1979 and revised 12/24/2018, and SAAMI gives a minimum chamber length of 2.750 in. SAAMI's velocity table for lead buckshot lists pellet counts by buck size, such as 9 pellets of 00 buck in a 2-3/4 in shell. Read the standard at the SAAMI Z299.2 PDF.

Not yet verified

These makers and loads are not in the tables.

Winchester: not checked for this gauge this round. The Winchester product pages we opened for other calibers on Nov. 4 said "There is no ballistics data available at this time," so we have no Winchester figures to copy yet.
SIG Sauer: the maker's site returned an access error (403) to our automated check, and we did not verify its product pages this round.
Other makers: we did not check Fiocchi, Sellier & Bellot, Brenneke, Rio, Aguila, Challenger or other slug and buckshot makers this round, so none are in the tables.
Hornady: items 86224 (Heavy Magnum Coyote 00 Buck), 86249 (Hornady BLACK 00 Buckshot), 86274 (American Gunner Reduced Recoil 00 Buckshot) and 86223 (Critical Defense Heavy Magnum #1) print no velocity on their pages, so they are left out.
Out of scope: Federal's Shorty Shells 4 Buck and rifled slug (items SH129 4B and SH129 RS) carry a "Target Shooting" label, not a defense or hunting label, so they are not in the tables. Federal's Personal Defense .410 loads and all other gauges are also outside this guide.
Test barrels, pellet counts and stock status: Federal's and Remington's shotshell pages list no test barrel, Remington's Managed Recoil Buckshot (item 20282) lists no pellet count, and Hornady's pages list no stock status.

2 loads in the tables carry a "Discontinued" badge on the maker page as of Nov. 4, 2026: Federal Personal Defense Shotshell with FLITECONTROL Wad PD132NRA 00, Federal Trophy Copper Sabot Slug P152 TC. We list them because the maker page still shows them.

Shotguns for slugs and buckshot

Check your shotgun maker's manual for the shell length and ammunition it is rated for, and for whether it can shoot slugs through its barrel and choke. See new shotgun releases.

Where to buy

We link only to maker pages, listed in the sources below. Federal and Remington show availability on their own product pages (for example "Available" or "Currently Unavailable"). Hornady's pages show none on our capture. We don't track retailer stock or prices. Before you order, check your state's ammunition rules, because some states require a background check or restrict shipping.

For more ammo, see new ammo for 2026, 20 gauge ammo, .410 bore ammo, 9mm ammo, .30-06 Springfield ammo and all ammo releases.

Compare: 12 gauge vs 20 gauge.

Frequently asked questions

What is the SAAMI maximum pressure for 12 gauge buckshot and slugs?

SAAMI lists a maximum average pressure of 11,500 psi (115 in psi/100) for 12 gauge lead buckshot, rifled slug and saboted slug loads in 2-3/4 in and 3 in shells, and 14,000 psi for 3-1/2 in buckshot, measured by transducer, in ANSI/SAAMI Z299.2.

How fast is 12 gauge buckshot and slug ammo?

In our tables, listed muzzle velocities run from 1,100 fps to 2,000 fps across buckshot and slugs. Test barrels are mostly not listed. See the barrel section of this guide.

How many pellets are in 12 gauge 00 buckshot?

It depends on the load. In our tables the maker pages list 6, 8, 9, 12, 15 or 18 pellets of 00 buck, depending on shell length and payload. Check the pellet count on the box or the maker page.

What test barrel do shotshell velocities use?

SAAMI's standard 12 gauge test barrels for 2-3/4 in and 3 in shells are 30 in long, with velocity measured 3 ft from the muzzle. Federal's and Remington's pages list no test barrel, and Hornady lists 24 in for its slugs.

Do you list prices or stock for 12 gauge ammo?

No. We link only to maker pages. Where a maker page shows a status, such as "Available" or "Currently Unavailable," we copy it as of Nov. 4, 2026. Hornady's pages show none.

Sources

Keep exploring

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