Shotgun shells specially formulated to neutralize threats of the two-legged variety — matched with today’s special-duty tactical shotguns — give homeowners and law enforcement personnel the warm, fuzzy feeling that comes from knowing they can effectively deliver lethal force if necessary. These remarkable loads are designed to operate efficiently in most tactical and hunting pump-action and auto-loading shotguns. Most military and many police agencies favor buckshot when dealing with man-sized threats, and most of the defensive loads developed for professional and civilian use are stuffed with these or other hefty payloads. Defensive loads are available in all popular shotgun gauges, so be sure to stock your store shelves with a variety of sizes that will ensure each and every customer leaves with a smile on his or her face. And be sure to advise your patrons to experiment to find the load that patterns best in their personal scattergun. The construction of each different type of shotgun round, its components and how it interacts with any given shotgun means that ammunition that produces very tight, accurate patterns out of one shotgun might not perform the same in another. Making certain your store patrons are armed to the teeth means keeping a good selection of defensive shotgun ammunition on hand. Here are a few top-shelf examples that will get your customer started down the path to a secure future.
Aguila 0B Buckshot
Designed and engineered to deliver a lethal knockout punch when the chips are down, Aguila 1-ounce 0B Buckshot loads are a great choice for hunting, tactical and defense applications. The company’s strict quality assurance program and ballistics evaluations ensure dependability and smooth cycling of these high-velocity 2 3/4-inch 12-gauge lead shotshells — exiting the barrel at 1,275 fps. Whether it’s hunting, on the job exercises or defending home and liberty, Aguila’s 0B Buckshot will perform to high expectations.
MSRP: $19.24/Box of 25.
Federal Premium Force X2 Shorty
Federal has combined the power of two of its newest technologies to create a shotshell that changes the nature of self-defense. Force X2 Shorty shells measure just 1 3/4 inches in length but hold a payload of six FX2 copper-plated 00 segmenting buckshot pellets engineered to split into two equal pieces on impact. When used with firearms designed to cycle sub-length shotshells, such as the Mossberg 590S, the loads offer much higher magazine capacities with up to twice the wound channels over standard buckshot loads. These loads have manageable recoil and produce less collateral damage risk from over-penetration. MSRP: $28.99/Box of 10.
Fiocchi Defense Buckshot
Fiocchi Defense Buckshot is an effective means of stopping a threat — the perfect answer for personal/home-defense applications. This 2 3/4-inch 12-gauge powerhouse shotshell — compatible with most tactical and hunting pump-action and autoloading shotguns — delivers nine lead pellets at 1,250 fps with every round fired, and at a value price. And it provides accuracy and consistency at a powerful velocity, with devastating knockdown power to neutralize any threat. When it comes to effective shotgun ammunition for personal/home defense, Fiocchi Defense Buckshot delivers. MSRP: $22/Box of 25.
Hornaday Critical Defense
Hornady 12-gauge 00 Buckshot Critical Defense ammunition is engineered to deliver the pinnacle of threat-stopping power — even when environmental conditions are a factor. Specially loaded to ensure proper functioning in semi-auto and pump shotguns, these 2 3/4-inch loads contain eight pellets and produce a muzzle velocity of 1,600 fps. And Hornady’s Versatite wad technology delivers tight patterns every single time without gun modification. Hornady’s Critical Defense ammunition line includes handgun, rifle and shotgun options. MSRP: $22/Box of 10.
Lightfield .410 Rubber Buckshot
Lightfield .410 Rubber Buckshot is intended for close-range defensive use — a painful warning shot that can also be lethal under some circumstances. Those who might be reluctant to shoot at another person even in their own defense can now control their personal space with greater confidence and provide a greater margin of safety for innocent persons nearby. The shotshell’s four rubber balls have relatively high velocity but very low mass, and kinetic energy is shed quickly over distance. Penetration of the body is possible at close range and some level of injury should be expected — ranging from serious injury or death to painful welts or bruising. Results can vary based on the weapon used, distance to target, body weight, etc. MSRP: $11.60/Box of five.
Remington Ultimate Defense Buckshot
When the stakes are the highest, Remington’s Ultimate Defense buckshot delivers massive knockdown power and devastating patterns. At short common defensive ranges, patterns in smoothbore barrels are tight and effective for one-shot confidence. Ultimate Defense buckshot is offered in 12- and 20-gauge full-power and reduced-recoil load options, manufactured to exacting tolerances for smooth feeding in both pump-action and autoloading shotguns. Users can also maximize the effectiveness of their .45/.410 revolvers with the Ultimate Defense .410-bore buckshot load. Offerings are available from No. 4 to No. 000 buckshot. MSRP: $7.99-$8.99/20- and 12-gauge box of five/$22.99-$25.99/.410-bore box of 15.
Rio Royal Buck
Rio Royal Buck 12-gauge 2 3/4-inch nine-pellet 00 buckshot shotgun shells are ideal for home defense and law enforcement applications worldwide — their sheer kinetic energy and knockdown power providing quality performance in the critical situations when it’s needed the most. Rio Royal Buck produces a muzzle velocity of 1,345 fps and is a great choice for hunting medium to large game such as whitetail deer, coyotes and wild hogs as well as competition shooting and home defense. Retail: $5.99/Box of five.
Winchester Defender Close Range
Winchester Defender Close Range ammunition was designed with home defense in mind, where likely shooting distances are within 10 to 20 feet. The 2 3/4-inch 12-gauge version offers an incredibly high pellet count with approximately 100 copper-plated lead No. 2 pellets that deliver a tremendous amount of energy on target while still reducing the risk of overpenetration. The load is further improved by a cushioned wad that reduces felt recoil and an engineered wad for consistent dense patterns at close range. The diverse lineup within the Winchester Defender family provides many innovative options to keep families safe in any situation. Made in the USA. Retail: $35-$45/Box of 25.
