For most pump shotguns, 9-pellet 00 buck is the default case to buy. Consider 12-pellet only after you pattern it in your gun. Buy sabot slugs only if your barrel is rifled, since they're built for it.
Shotgun ammo is where bulk buying pays off in a less obvious way. You aren't just saving per shell. You're buying enough of one load to pattern it, practice with it, and keep it on hand. That consistency matters more than any brand.
| Load | What it is | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| 9-pellet 00 buck | Nine .33-caliber pellets, the classic standard | Balanced recoil, pellet count, and pattern |
| 12-pellet 00 buck | More pellets in the same hull | More recoil; pattern varies more gun to gun |
| Sabot slug | Sub-caliber slug in a plastic sabot | Built for rifled barrels; poor in smoothbores |
| Budget buck (canned) | Value 00 buck in bulk packaging | Pattern may be wider; test before relying on it |
9 vs 12 Pellets
More pellets sounds strictly better, but packing twelve into a standard hull changes how the load behaves. Recoil goes up, and patterns vary more from gun to gun. Some shotguns shoot 12-pellet tightly; others throw fliers. The only way to know is to pattern it at the distances you care about, on paper, in your gun. If you don't want to do that testing, 9-pellet is the safer default.
Sabot Slugs: Read Before Buying
Sabot slugs are designed to be spun by a rifled barrel. Fired through a smoothbore, they usually lose most of their accuracy advantage. If your shotgun has a standard smoothbore barrel, as nearly all home-defense pumps do, choose rifled (Foster-type) slugs instead. The name is confusing: "rifled slugs" are for smoothbores; sabots are for rifled barrels.
Federal Power-Shok 12 ga 2-3/4 in 00 Buck, 9 pellet
Default pickThe standard bulk buckshot. The sensible default for stocking a pump gun.
Federal Power-Shok 12 ga 2-3/4 in 00 Buck, 12 pellet
More pellets per shot. Pattern it in your gun before buying a case.
Federal 12 ga 1 oz Sabot Slug
For rifled slug barrels only. Smoothbore owners should pick rifled slugs.
Clever Express 12 ga 00 Buck (50-round can)
A budget buckshot option that comes with its own storage can. Pattern it to confirm spread in your gun.
Key takeaways
- 9-pellet 00 buck is the default bulk buy for pump shotguns.
- 12-pellet adds recoil and pattern variability. Pattern it in your gun first.
- Sabot slugs are for rifled barrels. Smoothbore owners should buy rifled (Foster) slugs.
- Buying a case of one load lets you pattern, practice, and stock the same shell.
FAQ
What does 00 buck mean?
Double-aught buckshot uses pellets roughly .33 caliber. It's the most common defensive and law-enforcement buckshot size.
Can I use sabot slugs in a smoothbore shotgun?
They'll fire, but accuracy is usually poor because sabots are designed for rifled barrels. Rifled (Foster) slugs are the right choice for smoothbores.
How do I pattern a shotgun?
Shoot the load at a large paper target at the distances you care about and look at the spread. Repeat a few times, because patterns vary shot to shot.
How should I store shotgun shells?
Cool, dry, and away from big temperature swings. A sealed can with a desiccant pack works well.