The 10 gauge is the biggest shotgun most hunters will ever shoulder. It’s a goose gun first, with a long history in turkey woods and deer stands too. Guns are heavy, and shells are long and stout. If you own one, you already know the ammo shelf is short. This data guide lists the 10 gauge ammo we carry, with the payload, shot size and velocity each maker publishes.
No drop tables here. Makers don’t publish them for these shells, and we only print numbers we can trace to a maker.
What is a 10 gauge shotgun?
Gauge counts how many bore-size lead balls make a pound. Ten balls the size of a 10 gauge bore weigh one pound. That works out to a bore of roughly .775 inch, noticeably wider than a 12 gauge’s .729 inch. Modern 10 gauge guns use 3-1/2 inch shells. Every hunting load in this guide is 3-1/2 inch.
The wider bore lets a 10 gauge carry a big payload at a moderate pressure. The trade-off is weight and recoil. Most 10 gauge guns are heavy, which helps soak up the kick.
How to read the numbers
- Payload is the shot weight in ounces. More payload means more pellets.
- Shot size runs backward for birdshot. T and BBB are large; #4 is smaller.
- Velocity is muzzle speed from the maker’s test barrel. Your barrel length, choke and temperature change it. At high altitude the thinner air slows pellets a little less.
- Energy isn’t listed for these loads. For shot, it’s spread across many pellets. For the slug, the maker lists weight in ounces, not grains.
10 gauge waterfowl loads
This is where the 10 gauge earns its keep. All of these are non-toxic, as federal rules require for waterfowl.
| Load | Payload | Shot size | Velocity | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remington HyperSonic Steel 10 Gauge 3-1/2 Inch 1-1/2 oz #2 | 1-1/2 oz | #2 | 1,700 fps | 25-round box |
| Remington Nitro-Steel 10 Gauge 3-1/2 Inch 1-1/2 oz #2 | 1-1/2 oz | #2 | 1,450 fps | 25-round box |
| Federal Speed-Shok 10 Gauge 3-1/2 Inch 1-1/2 oz #2 Steel | 1-1/2 oz | #2 | 1,450 fps | 25-round box |
| Winchester Drylok 10 Gauge Super Steel 3-1/2 Inch 1-5/8 oz T | 1-5/8 oz | T | 1,350 fps | 25-round box |
| Federal Black Cloud 10 Gauge 3-1/2 Inch 1-5/8 oz BB Steel | 1-5/8 oz | BB | 1,375 fps | 250-round case (10 x 25) |
| Federal Ultra Steel 10 Gauge 3-1/2 Inch 1-5/8 oz BBB and #1 | 1-5/8 oz | BBB & #1 | 1,400 fps | 25-round box |
| Hevi-Bismuth 10 Gauge 3-1/2 Inch 1-3/4 oz #4 | 1-3/4 oz | #4 | 1,350 fps | 250-round case (10 x 25) |
The Remington HyperSonic Steel #2 lists 1,700 fps with 1-1/2 oz. The Winchester Drylok Super Steel T carries 1-5/8 oz of large T shot for geese. The Federal Ultra Steel BBB and #1 pairs two sizes in one shell. For ducks in an older gun, consider bismuth like the Hevi-Bismuth #4, which the maker lists as safe for all chokes. Read our steel shot shells guide for more on steel sizes.
10 gauge turkey loads
| Load | Payload | Shot size | Pellets | Velocity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Gauge TSS – Apex Turkey 3-1/2 Inch 2-1/2 oz #9, 905 Pellets | 2-1/2 oz | #9 | 905 | 1,100 fps |
| Hevi Shot Turkey Blend 10 Gauge 3-1/2 Inch 2-3/8 oz #5, #6, #7 | 2-3/8 oz | #5, #6, #7 blend | — | 1,250 fps |
| Winchester Double X Turkey 10 Gauge 3-1/2 Inch 2 oz #5 | 2 oz | #5 | — | 1,300 fps |
| Federal Grand Slam Turkey 10 Gauge 3-1/2 Inch 2 oz #4 | 2 oz | #4 | — | 1,200 fps |
| Remington Premier Magnum Turkey 10 Gauge 3-1/2 Inch 2-1/4 oz #4 | 2-1/4 oz | #4 | — | 1,210 fps |
The Apex TSS #9 lists 905 pellets of tungsten super shot in 2-1/2 oz. That’s a lot of pellets for a turkey’s head and neck. Lead loads like the Winchester Double X #5 use bigger pellets and list 1,300 fps. Pattern any turkey load through your choke before season.
10 gauge buckshot and slugs
| Load | Payload | Shot size | Pellets | Velocity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10ga Buckshot – Federal Vital-Shok 00 Buck, 18 Pellets | — | 00 Buck | 18 | 1,100 fps |
| 10 Gauge Slug – Federal Power-Shok 1-3/4 oz Rifled Slug | 1-3/4 oz | — | — | 1,280 fps |
The Federal Vital-Shok 00 Buck lists 18 pellets. The Federal Power-Shok 1-3/4 oz rifled slug lists 1,280 fps. That slug weighs about 766 grains. Deer rules on buckshot and slugs vary by state. Check before you hunt.
Blanks
The Winchester Super-X black powder blank is a 2-7/8 inch shell for training and reenactments. It has no projectile, but blanks can still injure at close range. Treat every gun as loaded.
Which 10 gauge load for which job?
- Geese: T, BBB or BB steel.
- Big ducks: #2 steel or #4 bismuth.
- Turkey: #9 TSS, or #4 to #6 lead and tungsten loads.
- Deer, where legal: 00 buck or the 1-3/4 oz slug.
Shop 10 gauge ammo
Every load above is in our 10 gauge ammo category. 10 gauge selection is limited, so buy what you need for the season when you see it. For a lighter gun, compare with our 16 gauge ballistic data guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there still a 10 gauge shotgun?
Yes. 10 gauge shotguns are still in use, and a few makers have built them in modern times. They’re far less common than 12 or 20 gauge guns. Ammo is still loaded by Federal, Remington, Winchester, Hevi-Shot and Apex, mostly in 3-1/2 inch waterfowl and turkey shells.
What is a 10 gauge shotgun used for?
Most hunters use a 10 gauge for geese and big ducks, where its large payload of steel or bismuth shot helps at longer range. It’s also used for turkeys with TSS and lead loads, and for deer with buckshot or slugs where state rules allow it.
Do they still make 10 gauge ammo?
Yes. We carry 10 gauge ammo from Federal, Remington, Winchester, Hevi-Shot and Apex, including steel and bismuth waterfowl loads, TSS and lead turkey loads, 00 buckshot, a rifled slug and black powder blanks. Selection is smaller than for 12 gauge, so many hunters buy by the case.
Where can I buy 10 gauge shotgun shells?
Bulk Ammo Vault carries 10 gauge shotgun shells for waterfowl, turkey, deer and training in our 10 gauge category. Ammo shipping rules vary by state and city, and the buyer must meet federal age rules. Check your local laws before you order.
