Who Makes 12 Gauge Ammo?

Who Makes 12 Gauge Ammo?

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to go over who makes 12 gauge today. The 12 gauge is one of the most popular cartridges in civilian use, often being the first round adopted by new shooters. This cartridge is utilized in a variety of platforms by various end users for many use cases. Today we are going to delve into a brief overview of the cartridge while covering different 12 gauge ammunition manufacturers and other considerations. Without further ado, let’s talk about who makes 12 gauge ammo.

What is 12 Gauge?

In the world of firearms, the term “gauge” is used to describe the bore diameter of a firearm, specifically a shotgun. The use of the term in this context can be traced back to a time when people bought lead by the pound to produce their own ammunition. This led to the term “gauge” referring to the amount of lead balls one could produce from a single pound of lead that matched the diameter of a firearm’s barrel. With this historic context, a 12 gauge shotgun would require 12 lead balls of the same size as the firearm’s bore to equate to a pound. In the modern context, when you think of 12 gauge ammo, you will likely envision some form of conventional shotgun cartridge. Since the mid-1800s, shotgun shells have been come in a variety of forms and utilized different types of materials. Common shotgun shell materials have included brass, paper, and plastic. These cartridges feature distinct rims and are of a cylindrical, straight-walled nature. These shells usually feature some form of crimping or sealing to contain the payload they carry. Some loadings such as birdshot and buckshot feature substantial crimping shells while some feature caps or minimal, rolled crimping to contain something like a slug. 12 gauge shotgun loadings generally feature a stout and authoritative recoil impulse and report. The specific loading employed by a shooter will also have an impact on the report and felt recoil they experience. For example, a general-purpose target loading will feature a lower report and recoil impulse than something like a 3” buckshot loading. Recoil is generally felt more on manual action firearms than it is when firing autoloading firearms. This is particularly true with shotguns as companies such as Beretta and Benelli have semi-automatic offerings designed to tame 12 gauge recoil and feed smoothly. Purchase 12 Gauge Ammo

What Firearms Use 12 Gauge?

The firearms which utilize 12 gauge ammunition are going to be shotguns. These types of firearms are available in a variety of forms, styles, and configurations. Like other types of firearms, 12 gauge shotguns are often found in forms optimized for various use cases and purposes. This is to say that one can encounter shotguns optimized for use cases such as hunting, self-defense, duty, and sporting use. Shotguns can be found in various forms such as double barrel (in both over-under and side-by-side form), single shot, pump action, lever action, bolt action, and semi-automatic form. An overwhelming majority of these types of firearms utilize tubular magazines while others incorporate detachable box magazines. Shotguns with detachable magazines are commonly found in pump action or semi-automatic form.

What is 12 Gauge Used For?

Today, shooters employ 12 gauge ammo in a variety of use cases. These use cases range from practical, purpose-driven purposes to broader use cases and recreational shooting. Specific use cases are supported by specialty 12 gauge loadings which feature specific projectiles and traits conducive to a given purpose. Currently, many shooters utilize 12 gauge for training and recreational purposes, often opting to use target loadings and general purpose ammunition. More specialized use cases include things such as hunting both land-based game and winged game and for shooting sporting clays. Of course, as with many calibers, many employ 12 gauge ammunition in defensive capacities. This is to say that the cartridge has been used for everything from duty and patrol to home defense. In short, 12 gauge ammunition truly affords a high degree of versatility to the shooter.

Who Makes Target/General Purpose 12 Gauge Ammo?

There are many companies that produce target/general purpose 12 gauge ammo. Loadings of this type are going to be found in the form of birdshot offerings. General purpose and target 12 gauge loadings will generally feature lead projectiles and are often economically priced. Loadings of this type can be found in various shot sizes and velocities, allowing users to zero in on a 12 gauge loading suitable for their purposes. Due to the general purpose nature of these loadings, one can expect to engage in activities such as hunting, clay shooting, recreational shooting, training, and pest control to name a few. Nearly every company that makes shotgun ammunition produces a loading of this type. Manufacturers such as Remington, Nobel Sport, Winchester, Fiocchi, and RIO are among the producers of ammunition of this type.

Who Makes Defensive 12 Gauge Ammo?

There are many companies who produce defensive 12 gauge ammo. Ammunition of this type will generally be found in the form of buckshot or slug loadings. In some cases, loadings of this type will combine features of slug and buckshot loadings to provide maximum potency and effectiveness. This is to say that shooters will encounter both standard 00 buckshot and slug offerings in addition to purpose-driven defensive loadings. Slug and buckshot projectiles are utilized for defense due to their high velocities, larger mass, and proven effectiveness on target. Some defensive slug offerings are designed to promote expansion and achieve higher velocities conducive to desirable levels of penetration, further optimizing them for self-defense. Companies such as Federal, Winchester, Hornady, Remington, and Fiocchi produce defensive 12 gauge ammunition.

Who Makes Specialty 12 Gauge Loadings?

Specialty 12 gauge loadings are produced by a wide range of manufacturers. These types of loadings can be found in traditional styles such as birdshot, buckshot, and slugs. Typically, these types of loadings feature traits which set them apart from traditional and more conventional loadings. This can often be observed when it comes to the use of certain materials. Lead-free loadings which feature alternative materials such as steel, copper, or tungsten are considered specialty items. This is because these loadings are often available in forms optimized for hunting game such as waterfowl or even defensive use. Speaking of hunting, some specialty loadings will be tailored towards specific game such as predators, upland game, and waterfowl to name a few. Some offerings will even depart from established shotshell norms such as bolo and Dragon’s Breath 12 gauge loadings. The unique nature and use cases for these types of loadings set themselves apart from conventional and common offerings. Obviously, Dragon’s Breath loadings deviate from the norm and set themselves apart from typical buckshot, birdshot, or slug offerings. Companies such as Nobel Sport, Federal, Hornady, and Phoenix Rising Exotic Ammunition are among the producers of specialty 12 gauge ammo. Purchase 12 Gauge Ammo

Is 12 Gauge Ammo Expensive?

As with all calibers, gauges, and ammo offerings of any type, pricing is contingent upon the specifics of a given loading. The cost of materials and labor ultimately come into play when it comes to ammunition as well. This is why general-purpose loadings tend to be cheap and affordable while more specialized offerings tend to demand higher prices. In light of this, it is fair to say that general purpose/target 12 gauge loadings which feature lead projectiles are going to be cheaper than purpose-built loadings for hunting with steel or tungsten shot. Of course, one can save on ammo when purchasing bulk quantities as there is usually a price break at the case level. Like most gauges, one can expect to be able to find flats, or bulk 12 gauge ammo offerings, available for many loadings.

Is 12 Gauge Ammo Easy to Find?

At this point in time, shooters will encounter a wide range of 12 gauge ammunition on the market. The companies discussed above in the earlier sections represent just some of those who manufacture ammunition of this type. Due to its prolific nature, 12 gauge is present at most places where ammo is sold. Generally speaking, most ammunition sellers tend to have some selection of target/general purpose or specialty 12 gauge ammo available. Additionally, one can opt to shop for ammo online and effectively expand their potential 12 gauge ammo offerings. If one elects to buy 12 gauge ammo online, one can easily track down and purchase their favorite loadings as they are not limited by local stocks.

Conclusion

All in all, the 12 gauge is well-supported by the industry with loadings being offered by many manufacturers. With loadings tailored for a variety of use cases such as recreation, training, small game hunting, and other specialized roles, shooters can truly find a loading best for their intended use. We here at True Shot Ammo carry a wide range of 12 gauge for sale in addition to the rest of our ammunition inventory. Beyond 12 gauge ammunition, we also offer loadings for popular calibers such as 9mm, 5.56, and .22 LR to name a few. Put plainly, we carry a wide range of pistol, rifle, rimfire, and shotgun ammunition optimal for shooters of all types. Whether you want to buy 12 gauge ammo or purchase bulk ammo of a different type, we have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.