12 Gauge Buckshot

12 Gauge Buckshot is a 12-gauge shotshell loaded with larger pellets for close-range patterning from shotguns. Federal, Winchester, and Remington all market buckshot loads, while Army range-safety guidance and Marine Corps hunting rules explicitly treat buckshot as 12-gauge shotgun ammunition.

12 Gauge Buckshot, 12-gauge shotgun shell loaded with buckshot pellets, Munitions

Image source: 00 and 000 buckshot image

Profile

Origin: United States and other countries
Built by: Federal Ammunition, Winchester Ammunition, Remington Ammunition, and other manufacturers
Type: 12-gauge shotgun shell loaded with buckshot pellets

munitions 12-gaugebuckshotshotgunhuntingdefense

Specifications

Gauge: 12-gauge
Shot type: Buckshot pellets
Common loadings: 00, 000, 0, 1, 4, and other buck sizes
Typical shell lengths: 2 3/4, 3, and 3 1/2 inches depending on load
Example muzzle velocity: Approximately 1,100 to 1,600 fps depending on load

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Common commercial buckshot loads are used for hunting, defense, and range use from compatible 12-gauge shotguns.

Firing Weapons

Army and Marine Corps guidance treat 12-gauge buckshot as ammunition fired from compatible 12-gauge shotguns.

Firing weapon

Weapon type

Firing evidence

12-gauge shotgun

12-gauge shotgun

Army range-safety guidance says all 12-gauge buckshot uses shotgun surface-danger-zone data, and Marine Corps deer-hunt guidance allows 00 or 000 buck shot in 12-gauge shotguns.

Sources: Range Safety, Deer Hunt Bulletin

12 Gauge Buckshot Images

12 Gauge Buckshot, 12-gauge shotgun shell loaded with buckshot pellets, Munitions - view 1 — Source: 00 and 000 buckshot image

12 Gauge Buckshot, 12-gauge shotgun shell loaded with buckshot pellets, Munitions - view 2 — Source: 12-gauge shotgun shell image

12 Gauge Buckshot, 12-gauge shotgun shell loaded with buckshot pellets, Munitions - view 3 — Source: 12-gauge shell illustration

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Sources

Federal 12-Gauge 00 BuckshotPublisher: Federal Ammunition | Note: Supports the existence of commercial 12-gauge buckshot loads and the manufacturer's buckshot product line. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Winchester Shotshell AmmoPublisher: Winchester Ammunition | Note: Supports Winchester's commercial shotshell lineup including buckshot loads in 12 gauge. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Remington Express BuckshotPublisher: Remington Ammunition | Note: Supports Remington's commercial 12-gauge buckshot line and buckshot product background. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Range SafetyPublisher: U.S. Army | Note: Supports 12-gauge buckshot as shotgun ammunition by identifying buckshot in 12-gauge shotgun range-safety guidance. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Deer Hunt BulletinPublisher: U.S. Marine Corps | Note: Supports 12-gauge buckshot as shotgun ammunition by authorizing 00 or 000 buck shot for 12-gauge shotguns. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 00 and 000 buckshot imagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for a public-domain illustration of 00 and 000 buckshot cartridges. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 12-gauge shotgun shell imagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for a public-domain 12-gauge shotgun shell photograph used as representative ammunition imagery. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 12-gauge shell illustrationPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for a CC BY-SA 4.0 12-gauge shotshell illustration used as representative ammunition imagery. | Accessed: 2026-06-23