12 Gauge
Also called: 12 ga, twelve gauge, 12-bore
The most popular shotgun gauge: it handles ducks, geese, turkeys, upland birds, and deer with slugs, and has the widest choice of shells.
- Type
- Shotgun
- Bore
- .729 in (nominal)
- Shell length
- 2¾ in (also 3 in, 3½ in)
- Typical loads
- Shot loads of about 1 to 1¾ ounces; slugs of 1 ounce or more
- Typical muzzle velocity
- About 1,150 to 1,500 fps for shot; about 1,500 to 1,900 fps for slugs
- Recoil
- Moderate recoil
- Quarry
- Birds & turkey, Deer, hogs & pronghorn
- Typical range
- Birds to about 40 yards; turkeys to about 40 yards; slugs to about 100 yards
- Availability
- Very common
Safety: Never mix gauges. A 20-gauge shell can slide into a 12-gauge chamber and lodge in the barrel; if a 12-gauge shell is then loaded behind it, firing can burst the barrel and seriously injure you. Check the gauge marked on the barrel and on each shell, and keep different gauges in separate places.
What it is good for
- Waterfowl, turkeys, and upland birds with the right shot size and choke.
- Deer and hogs with slugs, especially where rifles are not allowed.
- Hunters who want one shotgun that does almost everything.
Where it falls short
- Recoil can be heavy, especially with 3-inch and 3½-inch magnum loads.
- Magnum shells are expensive, and heavier guns are tiring to carry.
- Non-toxic shot is required for waterfowl, which affects shell choice.
Easily confused with
- 20 Gauge: a smaller, lighter gauge; its shell can slip into a 12-gauge chamber, which is dangerous.
Field notes
The 12 gauge has a bore of about 0.729 inch. Shell lengths are 2¾, 3, and 3½ inches, and your gun's chamber must match or be longer than the shell. Use shot sizes and chokes that suit the game you hunt.
Related guides
Numbers are typical factory-load figures, not guarantees. Use only ammunition that matches the cartridge stamped on your firearm and is made by a reputable manufacturer, and follow the manual. Legal game cartridges, minimum calibers, and non-toxic shot rules differ by state and area. Check your state's current regulations; our state resources directory links to each state's official rules. Not sure which rifle to buy? Try our hunting rifle wizard.