If you stand in the ammo aisle and check out the shotgun section, you will see a box of shells for just about everything. Whether you want to do duck hunting, deer hunting, shoot at the range, or use a shotgun for self defense, there is a shell made for it. However, all of those shotshells use projectiles that fall into one of three categories: birdshot, buckshot, or slugs. We generally use each type for a specific scenario, but it is not always so straightforward. Here, we will focus on choosing the best type of shell for your use case and give you a few specific examples.
Before we get too specific, let’s briefly review the breakdown of a shell, define birdshot, buckshot and slugs so you know what you’re getting into.
Shotgun Shell Anatomy Review
When you look up shotgun ammo, you might come across the terms “cartridge”, “shell”, or “shotshell”. These names can be used interchangeably, but it’s important to understand that a shotgun cartridge is constructed differently from a pistol or rifle cartridge. I would say that it is so different that I generally do not use the word “cartridge” to describe a shotgun shell; although it is not incorrect to do so.
The most noticeable difference in a shell is that it has a two-piece case. The brass base holds the primer and powder, and it is attached to a plastic case that holds the wad and projectile. The plastic is crimped at the end to hold everything together. Regular pistol or rifle ammo only has a brass case that contains everything except the tip of the projectile.
The powder charge in a shell is generally less than that of other types of ammunition and is designed for use at closer ranges (generally within 50 yards). You can find “high” or “low” brass shells on some ammo shelves, with high being the standard and low brass shells generally being loaded with a bit less powder for a reduction in recoil.
Here, you can see a dissection of a shotgun shell filled with buckshot.
All of these parts of a shotgun shell are important, but today, they are second to the projectile. Since we are focused on birdshot buckshot and slugs, the rest is not critical; but it is still important. Slugs are generally more powerful than birdshot, so their shells may be longer, have more powder, etc. Plus, once you decide on the type of projectile you want, you have to stew over all of those shell attributes too.
Shot vs. Slug Construction
“Shot” is a collective term for multiple projectiles fired from a shotgun shell. Instead of one projectile like a regular rifle round, you have multiple smaller projectiles within the same shell. Individual projectiles spread out from each other when shot, making shot best for closer-range shots. The spread of small pellets creates a higher chance of hitting the target, but is less accurate overall than slugs. In general, shot makes it easier to hit a target at close range, especially those that are small and moving quickly.
Slugs are solid projectiles that fly farther and hit more accurately than shot. Although you only have one projectile, at close range it is more challenging to hit a target compared to the spread out shot. Slugs penetrate a target better than shot, and are highly effective if you connect. Slugs are often used when hunting larger game like boar, moose, or elk, but this isn’t a hard and fast rule.
This is a shotgun slug with the polymer tip removed, showing the internal hollow-point design.
Each projectile category has its own range of projectile sizes and ballistics. Shot can come in over a dozen sizes, changing how large the individual projectiles are, and how many are in a given shell. Slugs can also have a variety of designs. They can be a plain hunk of lead, a complex ballistic tip projectile with a copper jacket (similar to a rifle projectile), or many other designs.
Shot Materials & Use Cases
Shot can be classified by size of an individual BB or projectile, but it can also be classified by material. Shot can be made out of lead, copper-plated lead, tungsten, steel, or a mix of alloys. These materials differ in penetration and overall performance. Like handgun or rifle cartridges, you will find plenty of debates online about which material is the best. Although here is a quick summary for the general use cases:
| Material | Typical Uses |
|---|---|
| Lead | Small game, Upland game, turkey, target shooting (clay sports) |
| Steel | Waterfowl hunting (federally mandated in U.S.) |
| Bismuth | Waterfowl and upland game in lead-restricted areas |
| Tungsten | Waterfowl, turkey, predator hunting (especially at long range) |
| Tungsten-Iron | Waterfowl hunting in non-toxic zones |
| Tungsten-Polymer | Turkey, waterfowl, and specialty long-range loads |
| Nickel-Plated Lead | Turkey, upland game, and self-defense |
| Copper-Plated Lead | Turkey, upland game, and self-defense |
| Zinc | Rare; sometimes used in budget or experimental non-toxic shells |
| Iron | Waterfowl (occasionally, as basic non-toxic alternative) |
Birdshot Use Cases
Birdshot is usually used for, you guessed it, hunting birds or waterfowl. It’s also great for clay target shooting. The shot is typically made of lead or steel, has a high pellet count per shell, increases accuracy, and minimizes damage while remaining ethically lethal (no one likes to eat a shredded duck). When you dive into upland bird and waterfowl hunting, each type of game may have slightly different shot size recommendations; For example, you may want to use a different shot size for teal than you do Canada goose.
Birdshot size ranges from around #2 to #12. Larger shot (denoted by smaller numbers) maintains its pattern and energy over longer distances and hits harder. Smaller shot spreads faster and slows down quicker, creating a smaller effective range but making those targets easier to hit.
Birdshot is widely used for hunting anything with wings, and sport. It is generally not allowed for hunting larger game like deer, and it is not ideal for self defense. Although if you want to have fun on the range or shoot clays, birdshot is a great choice.
Buckshot Use Cases
Buckshot ranges in size from No. 000 to No. 4. This shot is designed to create a spread with much more stopping and penetrating power than birdshot, and is often used when hunting deer (as the name suggests). Unlike birdshot, buckshot provides a small number of large BBs as opposed to dozens of smaller ones. The most common size, 00 Buck, is generally effective range out to 35 or 50 yards depending on your setup.
Here you can see an example of copper-plated buckshot made for self-defense.
Buckshot is also a go-to choice for home or self defense. It still provides a spread of projectiles, increasing your chance of hitting a target under pressure, while having enough power to efficiently take down a human-sized target. Some loads, like the one pictured above, are specifically designed for this task. The copper platting will cause this load to penetrate further than a regular lead load would. Just one more example of how many attributes there are to think about before loading your shotgun.
Shotgun Slug Use Cases
Slugs are a different shotgun shell altogether. It’s a solid projectile that’s made of lead, copper, lead alloy, steel, or other metals like tungsten. Unlike shot, slugs offer a greater effective range and a more precise shot. Slugs are typically used in hunting larger game, but you’ll see them used in tactical and military applications pretty frequently. Let’s look at a few different types of slugs.
The American-invented Foster slug is rounded with a full-bore diameter and also features a rifling pattern on its lead base. Historically called “rifled slugs”, these slugs are shot from smoothbore barrels, and the rifling doesn’t actually cause them to spin. What the rifling does allow is for the projectile to conform to various choke and barrel dimensions, which gives it relatively better accuracy across a wider range of firearms. The rifling also reduces friction in the barrel. Slug rifling can induce some stabilizing spin while flying through the air, just not nearly as much as you would see from a pistol or rifle cartridge. Still, these slugs are “all-purpose” and are common for hunting.
The Brenneke slug, Invented by Wilhelm Brenneke in 1898, features a wasp-waisted design with a finned tailpiece. The wad stays with the projectile in shot and acts as a stabilizing tailpiece during flight. These projectiles also don’t spin when fired from smoothbore barrels, but they are known for accuracy and give you deep penetration when you reach the target. Thanks to their range and power, these slugs are very popular for big game hunting.
The sabot slug, first originating among the ranks of the French military, has undergone a long development span. The sabot design differs from other slugs in that it features a thin, deformable seal (called a driving band) around the projectile. The driving band traps propellant gases behind the projectile while keeping it centered in the barrel. This driving band then deforms as the projectile fires, allowing it to spin as it leaves the barrel.
Sabot slugs are only accurate when fired from rifled shotgun barrels, despite the rifled barrel being designed after the sabot slug itself. You’ll find that if you shoot it out of a smooth bore, you’ll have a hard time making repeatable shots. While most people use sabot slugs to hunt deer and large game at long distances where rifles are prohibited, they’re also commonly used in military applications today. Because of their high penetration depth, some people do not recommend them as a home defense round.
Which Projectile is Best for You?
Birdshot contains dozens of smaller pellets that spread out quickly, making it ideal for quick moving close range targets. Buckshot uses less than a dozen large BBs that stay together longer. This kind of shot is powerful enough to be used for big game hunting or self defense. Finally, slugs produce a single projectile that can have a large variety of designs. Since slugs fly farther than bird or buckshot, they are a popular choice for hunters in areas that prohibit rifle hunting. However, some people use them for a home defense round, and they are commonplace in police and military settings.
Shotgun shells can be a bit complex since there are so many options. However, choosing between the three main projectile categories (birdshot, buckshot, and slugs) can be fairly straightforward based on your use case. No matter what you choose, make sure your shotgun is rated for it, and that you practice with it before using it on a live target.
