Buckshot is the shotgun load most people picture when they think “home defense.” It’s also a deer and hog load in states that allow it. 12 gauge buckshot comes in more sizes, shell lengths and pellet counts than any other shotgun load, so the boxes can get confusing fast. This guide sorts it out.
You’ll learn what the numbers like 00 and #4 mean, how many pellets each shell holds, and how the loads at Bulk Ammo Vault compare on listed velocity. Every pellet count and speed below comes from the maker’s data for a load we carry.
What is 00 buckshot?
“Double-aught” buck is a pellet size, not a brand. Buckshot sizes run backward: the bigger the number, the smaller the pellet. Approximate pellet diameters:
- 000 buck: about .36 inch
- 00 buck: about .33 inch
- 0 buck: about .32 inch
- #1 buck: about .30 inch
- #4 buck: about .24 inch
So a 00 pellet is close to a .33 caliber ball. That’s why people sometimes compare one shell of 00 to several pistol rounds fired at once.
How many pellets are in 12 gauge buckshot?
It depends on shell length and pellet size. Here’s what the 00 loads we carry list:
- 1-3/4 inch minishell: 6 pellets, as in the Federal Force X2 Shorty.
- 2-3/4 inch standard: 8 or 9 pellets in most loads; some pack 12, like the Federal Vital-Shok 12 pellet.
- 3 inch magnum: 12 to 15 pellets.
- 3-1/2 inch magnum: 18 pellets, as in the Federal Vital-Shok 3.5 inch.
Smaller shot packs more pellets. A 3-1/2 inch Winchester Super X #4 Buck lists 54 pellets. More pellets isn’t automatically better. Each smaller pellet carries less weight and energy.
Defense-focused 00 buckshot
Defense loads tend to use 8 or 9 pellets, low-recoil powders and wads that keep the pattern tight. Here are ours.
Reduced-recoil loads like the Federal Personal Defense Reduced Recoil at 1,145 fps are easier to control for fast follow-up shots. Full-power loads like the Remington Ultimate Defense list 1,325 fps. Hornady’s Critical Defense 00 Buck lists 1,600 fps with 8 pellets. For a closer look at how testers evaluate these loads, see our 12 gauge gel test guide.
Laws on home defense and on keeping a loaded shotgun vary. Check your state and local rules.
Hunting and magnum 00 buckshot
Hunting loads often add a buffer, a filler that cushions pellets so they stay round. Magnum hulls hold more pellets.
Check your chamber before buying 3 or 3-1/2 inch shells. A gun stamped 2-3/4 inch can’t safely fire longer shells. Recoil also climbs fast with the magnums.
Other sizes: #1, #0, #4 and more
Not every job needs 00. #1 buck is a middle ground. #4 buck carries many smaller pellets and is a common pick for coyotes.
| Load | Shell | Shot size | Pellets | Velocity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Power-Shok #1 Buck 12 Gauge 2-3/4″ 16 Pellets | 2-3/4 in. | #1 Buck | 16 | 1,325 fps |
| Sellier and Bellot #1 Buck 12 Gauge 2-3/4″ 12 Pellets | 2-3/4 in. | #1 Buck | 12 | 1,213 fps |
| Fiocchi Defense Dynamics 12 Gauge #1 Buckshot 2-3/4″ 9 Pellets | 2-3/4 in. | #1 Buck | 9 | 1,250 fps |
| Fiocchi Low Recoil Buckshot Defense Dynamics 12 Gauge #1 Buck | 2-3/4 in. | #1 Buck | 9 | 1,150 fps |
| Remington Express Buckshot 12 Gauge #0 Buck 2-3/4″ 12 Pellets | 2-3/4 in. | #0 Buck | 12 | 1,275 fps |
| Hornady Varmint Express 12 Gauge #4 Buckshot 24 Pellets | 2-3/4 in. | #4 Buck | 24 | 1,350 fps |
| Sellier and Bellot #4 Buck 12 Gauge 2-3/4″ 27 Pellets | 2-3/4 in. | #4 Buck | 27 | 1,181 fps |
| Fiocchi Exacta #4 Buck 12 Gauge 2-3/4″ 27 Pellets | 2-3/4 in. | #4 Buck | 27 | 1,325 fps |
| Federal Vital-Shok #4 Buck 12 Gauge 3″ 41 Pellets | 3 in. | #4 Buck | 41 | 1,100 fps |
| Winchester Super X #4 Buck 12 Gauge 3-1/2″ 54 Pellets | 3-1/2 in. | #4 Buck | 54 | 1,050 fps |
| Federal Shorty #4 Buck 12 Gauge 1-3/4″ 15 Pellets | 1-3/4 in. | #4 Buck | 15 | 1,200 fps |
The Hornady Varmint Express #4 Buck lists 24 pellets at 1,350 fps and is labeled for varmints. Some states only allow certain buckshot sizes for deer, and some don’t allow buckshot for deer at all. Check your state’s hunting rules.
How far does 12 gauge buckshot travel?
Buckshot spreads as it flies, and its useful range is short. Many hunters keep shots at deer and coyotes well inside 50 yards. But pellets can travel far past that and still be dangerous. Know your backstop. In the home, pellets can pass through interior walls. Plan your setup with that in mind.
The only way to know your gun’s pattern is to shoot it. Put a large paper target at the distances you expect, fire the exact load, and count hits.
Shop 12 gauge buckshot
Browse every size and shell length in our 12 gauge buckshot category. Running a smaller gun? Our 20 gauge buckshot guide covers #2 and #3 buck. Buy a few boxes of two or three loads, pattern them, and stock up on the one your gun likes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pellets are in 00 buckshot?
It depends on the shell. The 12 gauge buckshot we carry lists 6 pellets in 1-3/4 inch minishells, 8 or 9 in most 2-3/4 inch loads, 12 in some 2-3/4 inch high-count loads, 12 to 15 in 3 inch loads and 18 in 3-1/2 inch magnums.
What is 00 buckshot used for?
00 buckshot is used for home defense, law enforcement and hunting deer and hogs where buckshot is legal. Its pellets are about .33 inch across. Some hunters also use it for coyotes, though many prefer smaller #4 buck for predators. Check your state rules on buckshot for deer.
How far does 12 gauge buckshot travel?
Buckshot’s useful range is short, and many hunters keep shots well inside 50 yards. But pellets can carry well beyond that and still cause harm. Always know what is behind your target. Pattern your load on paper to learn how wide it spreads from your gun.
What caliber is 00 buckshot?
Each 00 buckshot pellet is about .33 inch in diameter, so it is often compared to a .33 caliber ball. 000 buck is about .36 inch, #1 buck about .30 inch and #4 buck about .24 inch. Bigger numbers mean smaller pellets.
How big is 00 buckshot compared to #4 buck?
A 00 pellet is about .33 inch across and a #4 buck pellet is about .24 inch. Because #4 pellets are smaller, more fit in a shell. A 2-3/4 inch #4 load may hold 24 to 27 pellets, while 00 loads of the same length usually hold 8 or 9.
