A 20 gauge kicks less than a 12, and the guns are lighter and often shorter. That makes 20 gauge buckshot a smart pick for shooters who find a 12 gauge hard to control. It’s also a deer and hog load where buckshot is legal. The shelf is smaller than for 12 gauge, and the sizes are different, so here’s what you need to know.
Pellet counts and velocities below come from each maker’s published data for the loads we carry.
Buckshot sizes in 20 gauge
In 12 gauge, 00 buck is the default. In 20 gauge, the common sizes are #3 and #2 buck. Rough pellet diameters:
- #2 buck: about .27 inch
- #3 buck: about .25 inch
- 00 buck (for comparison): about .33 inch
Smaller pellets let a narrower 20 gauge hull hold a useful number of them. A 2-3/4 inch #3 buck load holds 20 pellets. A #2 load in the same length holds 10 in Federal’s defense load. 20 gauge 00 buck does exist from some makers, but it holds only a handful of pellets.
Our 20 gauge buck loads side by side
| Load | Shell | Shot size | Pellets | Velocity | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Personal Defense #2 Buck FliteControl | 2-3/4 in. | #2 Buck | 10 | 1,325 fps | 5-round box |
| Sellier and Bellot #2 Buck | 2-5/8 in. | #2 Buck | — | 1,181 fps | 25-round box |
| Winchester Defender #3 Buck (100 rounds) | 2-3/4 in. | #3 Buck | 20 | 1,145 fps | 100-round case (10 x 10) |
| Remington Express #3 Buck | 2-3/4 in. | #3 Buck | 20 | 1,200 fps | 5-round box |
| Winchester Super X #3 Buck | 2-3/4 in. | #3 Buck | 20 | 1,200 fps | 5-round box |
| Federal Vital-Shok #3 Buck | 2-3/4 in. | #3 Buck | 20 | 1,175 fps | 5-round box |
| Federal Power-Shok #3 Buck | 2-3/4 in. | #3 Buck | 20 | 1,200 fps | 5-round box |
| Federal Vital-Shok 3 in. #2 Buck | 3 in. | #2 Buck | 18 | 1,100 fps | 5-round box |
| Federal Power-Shok 3 in. #2 Buck | 3 in. | #2 Buck | 18 | 1,100 fps | 5-round box |
The Federal Personal Defense #2 Buck uses a FliteControl wad built to keep the pattern tight, with 10 pellets at 1,325 fps. The Winchester Defender #3 Buck holds 20 copper-plated pellets at 1,145 fps, and it comes in a 100-round case for practice. The 3 inch Federal Vital-Shok #2 Buck holds 18 pellets but needs a 3 inch chamber.
Is 20 gauge buckshot good for home defense?
Many people think so. Here’s why:
- Less recoil means faster, more accurate follow-up shots.
- Lighter guns are easier to handle in tight hallways.
- Plenty of pellets. 20 pellets of #3 buck is a dense pattern at room distances.
The trade-off is that each pellet is smaller and lighter than 00 buck from a 12 gauge. If you want to see how testers measure buckshot in gel, read our 20 gauge gel test guide.
Defense laws vary by state and city. Check your local rules before you set up a home-defense shotgun.
Buckshot for deer and hogs in a 20
Some states allow buckshot for deer; others don’t, or they limit pellet size. Where it’s legal, keep shots close. Buckshot patterns spread with distance, and smaller 20 gauge pellets lose energy sooner than 12 gauge 00. The 3 inch loads from Federal, like the Federal Power-Shok 3 inch #2 Buck with 18 pellets, put more lead on target. Check your state’s hunting rules before you go.
Check your chamber length
Most 20 gauge shotguns have 3 inch chambers, but some older and youth guns are 2-3/4 inch. Look at the stamp on the side of the barrel. A 2-3/4 inch chamber takes 2-3/4 inch shells and the shorter 2-5/8 inch Sellier and Bellot load. A 3 inch chamber takes all of them. Never force a longer shell into a shorter chamber. It can raise pressure and damage the gun or hurt you.
Also keep 20 gauge shells apart from 12 gauge shells. A 20 gauge shell can slide down a 12 gauge barrel and lodge there. Firing a 12 gauge shell behind it can burst the barrel. Store them in separate, labeled boxes.
Pattern your gun
Buckshot patterns depend a lot on your choke and barrel. A load that prints a tight cluster in one gun may spray in another. To check:
- Set a large paper target at 7, 10 and 15 yards for defense, or at your expected hunting range.
- Fire each load from a rest with your usual choke.
- Measure the spread and count pellet hits.
- Pick the load that keeps every pellet on a torso-size target at your longest likely distance.
Improved cylinder or modified chokes are a common start for buckshot. Follow your gun maker’s guidance.
Picking a load
- Home defense, tight pattern: Federal #2 Buck FliteControl.
- Home defense, more pellets: #3 buck such as the Winchester Super X #3 Buck or Remington Express #3 Buck.
- Practice in bulk: Winchester Defender 100-round case.
- Deer where legal: 3 inch #2 buck from Federal.
Shop 20 gauge buckshot
Every load above is in our 20 gauge buck category. Want to compare with the bigger bore? See our 12 gauge buckshot guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 20 gauge buckshot good for home defense?
Many shooters choose it. 20 gauge buckshot kicks less than 12 gauge, so follow-up shots are faster, and the guns are lighter. A #3 buck shell holds 20 pellets. Each pellet is smaller than 12 gauge 00 buck, so pattern your load at room distances and check local laws.
What size buckshot is best for home defense in a 20 gauge?
#3 and #2 buck are the common 20 gauge sizes. #3 buck puts about 20 smaller pellets in a 2-3/4 inch shell. #2 buck uses fewer, larger pellets, such as the 10 in Federal’s FliteControl defense load. Pattern both and keep the one your gun groups best.
How many pellets are in 20 gauge 00 buckshot?
20 gauge 00 buck holds only a handful of pellets because the 20 gauge hull is narrow and 00 pellets are about .33 inch across. That’s why most 20 gauge buckshot uses smaller #2 or #3 buck, which fits 10 to 20 pellets in a 2-3/4 inch shell.
How effective is 20 gauge buckshot?
At close range, 20 gauge buckshot puts many pellets on target with modest recoil. Its pellets are smaller than 12 gauge 00 buck, so they lose energy sooner at distance. For defense, test it at indoor ranges. For deer, keep shots close and follow your state’s rules.
