Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Deer Hunting: Buckshot vs. Slug

One reason why I love shotguns so much is their versatility.

They are used for hunting upland game, waterfowl, and small game, yet most hunters overlook using a 12 Gauge shotgun for deer hunting.

A shotgun is plenty capable of taking a whitetail deer at close range.

Having the best 12 Gauge ammo for deer hunting loaded in your gun can only increase your odds of filling your freezer with a bit of venison, or taking the trophy buck of a lifetime.

Below you'll find my top choices for 12 Gauge shells that are certain to ethically kill whitetail anywhere it's legal to use a shotgun.

Best 12 Gauge Deer Hunting Ammo

Federal Power-Shok 1 oz. Rifled Slug - Best 12 Gauge Slug
Hornady American Gunner Reduced Recoil 1 oz. Rifled Slug - Honorable Mention
Remington Slugger 7/8 oz. Rifled Slug - Honorable Mention
Federal 00 Buck - Best 12 Gauge Buckshot
Winchester Super-X 3-1/2" 18 Pellets 00 Buckshot - Honorable Mention
Sellier & Bellot 00 Buck - Honorable Mention

Best 12 Gauge Slugs for Deer Hunting for Sale

Federal Power-Shok 1 oz. Rifled Slug

Federal 12 ga Ammo - 250 Rounds of 1 oz. Rifled Slug Ammunition

$264.99

$239.99

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Specs

Muzzle Velocity: 1,610 fps
Projectile: Rifled Slug
Weight: 1 oz.
Shell Length: 2-3/4"

Pros

Inexpensive (when bought in bulk)
High muzzle velocity
Made in the USA
High muzzle energy

Cons

High recoil
You must buy in bulk to get a significant discount per round.

Why We Chose It

Federal Power-Shok is one of the least expensive options for 12 Gauge slugs, yet it has one of the highest muzzle velocities and energies.

The drawback to the higher velocity and energy is the increase in recoil, which makes follow-up shots more difficult.

I really appreciate that the ammo is manufactured in the USA. With Federal, I can always expect high-quality ammo at a reasonable price.

Check out our Fiocchi 12 Gauge ammo page for more affordable high-quality ammo.

The 1 oz. slug is more than enough to ethically harvest most big game, including deer, at close range.

The rifled slug is ideal for smoothbore shotgun barrels (which is most barrels). If you have a rifled barrel, then rifled slugs can damage it. You want sabot slugs, which have plastic sleeves (aka sabots) that correctly engage with rifling.

In my opinion, slugs are better for deer hunting than buckshot because they are more effective at longer ranges.

Honorable Mentions

Hornady American Gunner Reduced Recoil 12 Gauge Ammo - 5 Rounds of 1 oz. Rifled Slug Ammunition

$12.45

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Hornady American Gunner Reduced Recoil 1 oz. rifled slug ammo is designed for the recoil-sensitive deer hunter. It's an excellent round for introducing a child to 12 Gauge hunting.

The low-recoil shell's striking energy is comparably low, but it can still ethically harvest a deer at short range.

This ammo's a little more expensive, but it won't force you to mortgage your dog.

The Remington Slugger 7/8 oz. rifled slug is a great choice if you want a lighter slug.

The benefit of a lighter slug is slightly decreased recoil accompanied by increased muzzle energy and velocity.

The price of these rounds isn't terrible, but you will need to buy them in bulk to get the price break.

Best Buckshot for Deer Hunting With a 12 Gauge

Federal Power-Shok 00 Buck

Federal 12 ga Ammo - 5 Rounds of 00 Buck Ammunition

$7.99

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Specs

Muzzle Velocity: 1,325 fps
Projectile: 00 Buckshot
Weight: 9 Pellets
Shell Length: 2 3/4"

Pros

Reasonably priced
High velocity
Multiple projectiles
Can double as a home defense shotgun load

Cons

Not suitable for long-range hunting
High recoil
Not permissible for hunting in some jurisdictions

Why We Chose It

Federal Power-Shok 00 buck allows deer hunters to fire multiple projectiles instead of a single one.

However, the increase in projectiles comes at the expense of decreased effective range (compared to shotgun slugs, at least).

You can use these buckshot loads for hunting deer and self-defense, so you're not limiting yourself to one use with this shotgun ammunition.

I prefer 00 Buck for home defense because of the lower chance of over-penetration compared to slugs, which helps keep your family and neighbors safer.

If you enjoy the challenge of getting as close as possible to the deer, then Federal Power-Shok 00 buck is what you should purchase.

Honorable Mentions

Winchester Super-X 12 Gauge Ammo - 5 Rounds of 3-1/2" 18 Pellets 00 Buckshot Ammunition

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If magnum loads are your bread and butter, then Winchester Super-X 3-1/2" 18 Pellets 00 Buckshot is what you should buy.

Yes, the muzzle velocity is slightly lower; however, the 3-1/2" shotgun shell holds twice as many 00 Buck pellets as a 2-3/4" shell of the same shot size.

The increased payload means more recoil (and a higher price), so prepare your shoulder (and wallet) when you snag a box of this Winchester 12 Gauge ammo.

Sellier & Bellot 00 Buck is an inexpensive option, especially when you buy it in bulk. These clear 2-3/4" shells boast a solid muzzle velocity. Rest assured they're fast enough to harvest a deer ethically.

Buckshot vs. Slug: Which One Should You Use?

Shotguns are super versatile thanks to the numerous types of shot that can be loaded into a shotshell.

From birdshot to buckshot to slugs, you can cover the spectrum of hunting without changing the gun. And don't forget about target ammo. And specialized turkey loads, which feature high-density (and high-priced) tungsten shot instead of lead!

All the different shot types can overwhelm newer shooters, who must choose the correct one if they're to be successful.

That is why I've about to explain when you should use buckshot vs. a slug for deer hunting.

Spoiler alert. I'll choose a slug 9/10 times for deer hunting. This is because of a slug's increased knockdown power and effective range compared to those of buckshot.

I might choose buckshot over a slug if I'm hunting in dense thicket, where multiple pellets are helpful at overcoming intrusive branches.

Neither of these shotgun loads is for the faint of heart. They both have a strong kick, so be prepared for the recoil no matter which one you choose.

Understanding Buckshot Sizes

While I only recommended one size of buckshot above, several other sizes are worth checking out if you find 00 buck isn't the best shotgun shell load for you.

In order of smallest pellet diameter to largest-

#4 Buckshot - 0.24"
#3 Buckshot - 0.25"
#2 Buckshot - 0.27"
#1 Buckshot - 0.30"
0 Buckshot - 0.32"
00 Buckshot - 0.33"
000 Buckshot - 0.36"

All of these shot sizes can be used for deer hunting; however, 00 and 000 buckshot have proven to be the most effective.

Types of Slugs and When to Use Them

There are two types of slugs used for deer hunting: rifled and sabot.

Each has its function and place, and can be frustrating (and dangerous) when misused.

Rifled Slugs

Rifled slugs like Federal Premium Hydra-Shok 1 oz. have grooves (or rifling) on the slug. The rifling helps the projectile safely pass through a choke tube.

Use a rifled slug when you're firing a smoothbore shotgun. Most shotguns have smoothbore barrels, so a rifled slug will likely be your better option.

Sabot Slugs

If your shotgun has a rifled bore, you'll need to purchase sabot slugs. These are smooth projectiles cradled by plastic sleeves, the latter of which engage with the rifling in order to impart gyroscopic stability to the slug.

These slugs are more accurate at longer distances than rifled slugs, but don't function well in smoothbore barrels. A sabot slug won't damage a smoothbore barrel, but its accuracy would be atrocious. Conversely, a rifled slug may damage a rifled barrel.

How to Choose the Best Shotgun for Deer Hunting

Even if you are using the best 12 Gauge ammo for deer hunting, you might still be at a disadvantage if you do not choose the correct shotgun.

Different shotgun styles perform best under specific situations.

An over-under shotgun is often used for shooting clays, and would not be an excellent choice for deer hunting.

A semi-auto is a good choice for deer hunting and can be used for most situations. The biggest problem with semi-auto shotguns is they jam easily if you don't keep them clean.

My preference for hunting is a pump action. It won't bust your budget and will go bang when you pull the trigger.

How to Choose the Best Choke

On most shotguns, the choke tube screws into the end of the barrel and forces the shot to exhibit a specific shot pattern. There are many different sizes of chokes, and it's crucial to use the correct one with the shot you're firing.

Some shotgun loads, like Federal Law Enforcement FliteControl 00 Buck, require a specific choke to function correctly, or the shooter risks damaging the gun and potentially injuring themself.

There are four major choke tube configurations:

Open/Cylinder
Improved Cylinder
Modified Cylinder
Full Cylinder

An open choke will allow the pattern to expand rapidly. This means the effective range will drastically decrease.

Improved and modified chokes are the middle ground and what most hunters prefer.

A full choke will have the tightest pattern of the four, but it's not recommended for deer hunting.

It's best to consult the gun and ammo manufacturers to determine which choke is best for your situation.

Once you've purchased a choke, pattern it so you know where to aim when the time comes.

Parting Shots

When I'm deer hunting with my 12 Gauge shotgun, I load it with Federal Power-Shok 1 oz. rifled slugs.

It's reasonably priced for a slug and made in the USA by a reputable ammo company. Even with its high recoil, I believe this is some of the best 12 Gauge ammo for deer hunting. To further save on your shotgun shells, check out our bulk 12 Gauge ammo page.

If firing rifled slugs isn't for you, you can always choose to use 00 buck!