What is a 12 gauge shotgun good for?

Produced in just about every type of shotgun from semi-automatics to pump actions and everything in between, the 12 gauge is the shotgun of choice for big game, turkey, waterfowl, upland, and small game hunters. It’s also the #1 choice for home defense as well as for military and law enforcement use.

Why is it called a 12 gauge?

Thus there are twelve 12-gauge balls per pound, etc. The term is related to the measurement of cannon, which were also measured by the weight of their iron round shot; an 8-pounder would fire an 8 lb (3.6 kg) ball.

What caliber is considered an elephant gun?

400 to . 620 inch caliber and velocities around 2,000 ft/s (610 m/s) they possessed vastly improved trajectory and penetration over their black powder forebears.

What are the different types of 12 gauge shotguns?

12-Gauge Shotgun Load Types. 1 Birdshot. Possibly the most common type of 12-gauge shotgun load, birdshot comes in a variety of sizes. A variety of 12-gauge ammo shot patterns allow 2 Birdshot #8 & Under. 3 Birdshot #6 For Medium-Large Bird Hunting. 4 Birdshot #5 & Under. 5 Birdshot #3 & Under.

What are the different sizes of shotguns?

Sizes in use. The 20 gauge shotgun is favored by shooters uncomfortable with the weight and recoil of a 12 gauge gun, and is popular for upland game hunting. The next most popular sizes are 28 gauge and .410 bore. The 10 gauge and 16 gauge, while a little less common, are still readily available in the United States.

Which is the smallest load in a 12 gauge shotgun?

Sometimes called the “dove shot,” this is about the smallest legitimate hunting load. With pellets that are .1 inches in diameter, this load can be used for doves, pheasant, and ducks, assuming they are within close range. This is also a versatile load that can be used for smaller game and trap if necessary.