Deadliest Shotgun Ammo: Ethically Defend Your Home With These Shotshells

Disclaimer: All shotgun ammo is potentially deadly and must be treated with care by following all gun safety rules at all times.

It’s challenging to decide what the deadliest shotgun ammo is. To reiterate the preceding disclaimer, all shotgun ammo is potentially lethal and must be treated with care. That said, some shells have undeniably greater destructive potential than others. The 10 Gauge shotshell has greater destructive potential than any 12 gauge shotshell; however, the 12 gauge is the most prolific shotgun in the world, which is why it’s the focus of this article.

Let’s take a look at three 12 gauge shells that stand out.

Note that some shotshells are illegal in various states. At the time of this writing, however, the ones listed below are legal in all 50 states.

Top 3 Deadliest Shotgun Ammo Picks

The top picks are 2-¾” shells because they’re a guaranteed fit for all 12 Gauge firearms. A 2-¾” chamber is also compatible with mini shells.  3-½” shells will technically be more deadly, but not all shotguns are not capable of safely firing 3-½” magnum loads.

The Deadliest Shotgun Ammo Picks in 2024

Hornady Critical Defense 2-¾" 00 Buck - Deadliest Buckshot Shotgun Ammo

Hornady Critical Defense 12 ga Ammo - 10 Rounds of 2-3/4" 00 Buck Ammunition

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Specs

• Projectile Type: Double-Aught Buckshot (00 Buck)
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,600 fps
• Shell Length: 2-¾”

Pros

• Trusted brand
• Designed for self-defense
• High velocity

Cons

• Expensive

Why I Chose It

Hornady Critical Defense 2-3/4" 00 Buck is my top pick for deadliest shotgun ammo because Hornady is a trusted brand in the defense community, designed for defense situations, and offers shooters a high muzzle velocity with multiple projectiles.

Hornady is known for producing high-quality and reliable ammunition. These shotgun shells are no exception. You can find comfort in knowing that when you pull the trigger, the 00 buck pellets will do precisely what they were designed to do: stop a threat as quickly as possible.

I’ve found that having more pellets increases your chances of hitting the target in a high-pressure situation, and the larger 00 buckshot projectiles penetrate deeper and cause more damage.

I really like that these shotgun shells also have a higher muzzle velocity than many other 00 buck offerings. The higher velocity will increase penetration, which is needed if the bad guy wears thick clothing. A higher velocity equals higher striking energy and more of a chance of reaching vital organs.

The biggest downside is the price per round. You won’t want to take these shells to the range for a long day of shooting unless you have money burning a hole in your wallet. I stick with training and defense situations when using these shells.

Hornady Critical Defense 2-3/4" 00 Buckshot is the ammo you need to defend your castle against bad guys, because it can quickly end threats quickly within 50 yards. Don’t hesitate to grab a couple of boxes today!

Hornady 300 Grain Sabot Slug - Deadliest Slug Shotgun Ammo

Hornady 12 ga Ammo - 5 Rounds of 300 Grain Sabot Slug Ammunition

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Specs

• Projectile Type: Sabot Slug
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,000 fps
• Shell Length: 2-¾”

Pros

• Trusted ammo brand
• High velocity
• High muzzle energy

Cons

• Must have a rifled shotgun barrel
• Expensive

Why I Chose It

Hornady 300 Grain Sabot Slug is the deadliest shotgun slug on the market because of its high velocity and energy. It quickly stops any deer or intruder in their tracks.

I have yet to encounter a problem while firing Hornady rounds, which is why they’re often my go-to choice when shooting ammo. I’ve Hornady ammo to be ultra-reliable, accurate, and fun to shoot.

The biggest downside of this shotgun ammunition is the need for a rifled barrel. All the shotguns I’ve ever bought have a smooth bore, and these rounds will be incredibly inaccurate when fired out of a smoothbore barrel.

I also noticed that this ammo is expensive. Shotgun slugs are generally costlier than other shotgun projectiles, and the Hornady SST Slug ups the price even more.

For shotgunners with a rifled barrel, a few boxes of Hornady 300 Grain Sabot Slugs are an excellent investment to defend your home or head to the deer woods. For those of us with a smoothbore, check out the Gualbo Steel Slug 2-¾”. It has an “expanding 504 grain slug with petals that peel back upon impact.”

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Federal Force X2 1-¾” 00 Buckshot - Deadliest Minishell Shotgun Ammo

Federal Force X2 12 Gauge Ammo - 10 Rounds of 1-3/4" 6 Pellet 00 Buckshot Ammunition

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Specs

• Projectile Type: Double-Aught Buckshot (00 Buck)
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,245 fps
• Shell Length: 1-¾”

Pros

• Trusted brand
• Made in the USA
• Designed for self-defense
• Reduced recoil

Cons

• Expensive
• Incompatible with semi-auto shotguns

Why I Chose It

Federal Force X2 1-¾” 00 Buckshot is a force to be reckoned with (sorry, I couldn’t resist!). It’s the best minishell because it’s manufactured by a trusted brand, made in the USA, and designed for self-defense.

Federal Premium ammunition has been a leading ammo maker for decades because it creates reliable ammo that goes boom when you pull the trigger. I appreciate that Federal makes its ammo in Minnesota, and I am proud to support them and my fellow Americans.

These Shorty Shotshells are designed for personal defense, which means they’re more than capable of stopping a threat thanks to the six copperplated bifurcated double-aught buck pellets, traveling at 1,245 fps out of the muzzle. The bifurcated (divided in two) pellets deliver double the separate wound channels and reduce the risk of over-penetration.

The shorter shell means it has less room for propellant, reducing the felt recoil compared to other buckshot loads. I’ve always found it easier to get off follow-up shots with lower recoil rounds, and I tend to be more accurate since I’m less worried about getting thumped in the shoulder (but I doubt I’m as tough as you!).

Despite the smaller size and less material, these rounds are still expensive. However, the main drawback is that you might need a special adapter installed on your pump-action shotgun for these rounds to cycle cleaning, and if you own a semi-auto shotgun, these shotshells won’t cycle because they don’t generate enough force.

For those looking for an effective round with reduced recoil, Federal Force X2 1-¾” 00 Buckshot is the answer, so don’t wait to order some before they’re all gone!

Choosing The Deadliest Ammo For Your Shotgun

As I mentioned above, all shotgun ammo is deadly, but if you’re looking to end a threat with as few trigger pulls as possible, here are a few considerations.

Correct Gauge

I’ve harvested many game animals with a .410, 20 Gauge, and 12 Gauge. Each has its place, but the 12 Gauge is the most popular shotgun in the world and has many more pellet options than the others, which is why I consider it the most deadly.

I also prefer 12 Gauge ammo because it’s more readily available than others, such as the 10 gauge.

However, the 12 Gauge often has more recoil than most others, so it’s probably not the best choice if you're sensitive to recoil.

Accuracy

In order to stop a threat or harvest a game animal, you have to hit what you’re aiming at, which is why accuracy should always be considered when purchasing ammo.

If you’re unable to be accurate with it, then you’re wasting your time.

Price

The cost of ammo affects all of our budgets, so I don’t always recommend the most expensive rounds. However, the cheapest ammo is rarely the best, so a compromise must always be made.

I’m a big proponent of using reasonably priced ammo, which is why I love Ammo.com. I’ve found the best prices AND incredible customer service when buying ammo from Ammo.com.

Pellet Size

The projectile size will determine its effectiveness against various-sized targets. Larger pellets like #1-4 buck, 00 buck, 000 buckshot, and slugs are intended for use for self-defense and on larger game animals such as whitetail deer and bears.

#4 shot (steel) is generally used for waterfowl and other large bird hunting scenarios. #5 shot and smaller is best for small game animals like rabbits, doves, and quail.

Pellet Number

The more pellets you put on the target, the quicker the kill. However, a balance must be struck between the number and size of pellets.

Having more pellets means you have a better chance of hitting the target, but they’ll be smaller and less effective. Conversely, you’ll have fewer larger pellets in each shotshell, making it slightly more difficult to hit your target.

Parting Shots: Deadliest Shotgun Ammo

I’m not a fan of the phrase “deadliest shotgun ammo,” as I believe our focus should be on saving lives and ethical hunting practices.

As a hunter, my focus isn’t on the kill but on the journey and meat provided for my family. As a protector, I focus on saving my family and ending the threat to their lives. I trust Hornady Critical Defense 2-3/4" 00 Buck in those moments to get the job done.

Stay safe out there!

Written by

Wes Littlefield