Shotgun Shells & Shotshells

Get the shotshells you need for your favorite shooting activity. Whether you need 12 gauge ammo, 20 gauge shotgun shells, or shotgun slugs, Pyramyd AIR has quality shotgun shells.

Types of Shot

• Birdshot - consists of multiple small pellets (shot) and is commonly used for hunting birds and small game. Birdshot is effective at short and medium distances.
• Buckshot - contains larger pellets and is used for self-defense and hunting large game. It provides greater stopping power but has a shorter effective range.
• Slug - a single, solid projectile used for hunting large game or in self-defense situations where greater penetration is needed. Slugs are accurate at longer ranges but have limited speed.

Shotshell FAQs

What are shotgun shells used for?

• Hunting - shotshells are widely used for hunting various game due to their versatility and effectiveness at different ranges.
• Sport Shooting - shotguns are commonly used in clay target shooting sports such as skeet, trap, and sporting clays, where different shotshell loads are used based on the target presentation.
• Self-defense - shotgun shells, particularly loaded with buckshot or slugs, are chosen for home defense due to their stopping power and effectiveness in close-quarters situations.

How do I choose the right shotshell for my shotgun?

When choosing shotshells for your shotgun, keep these things in mind:

1. What gauge is your shotgun? Shotshells are available in various sizes, such as 12 gauge, 20 gauge, and others. The gauge your shotgun is designed to use should be engraved on the receiver, and you can also find the information in your owner's manual.
2. What is your intended use: hunting, sport, or self-defense?
1. Birdshot is used for hunting small game.
2. Buckshot is used for short-range large-game hunting and self-defense.
3. Slugs are used for longer range large game hunting and self-defense.
3. How far do you need it to go? Some shells are more effective at longer distances than others. Multi-shot rounds like birdshot and buckshot have shorter effective ranges, while slugs are more effective at longer ranges.

Once these questions are answered, you'll know which shotshells will suit your shotgun.

Can I use the same shotshells for different purposes?

While some shotshells are versatile, it is important to use the appropriate load for your intended purpose. Using the wrong shotshells can affect your shooting performance and the effectiveness of the ammunition.

What is the effective range of different shotshell types?

• Birdshot is effective up to 50 yards
• Buckshot is effective up to 25 yards
• Slugs are effective up to 100 yards

What does the shotshell gauge mean?

The shotshell gauge indicated the diameter of the shotgun bore. The most common gauges are 12-gauge and 20-gauge.

How does shot size affect performance?

1. Shot size inside a shotshell plays a significant role in performance. Smaller shot sizes, such as #8 or #9, contain more pellets and will disperse in a denser pattern, which increases the likelihood of hitting small, fast-moving targets. This is why it's used for hunting birds and small game and is commonly called "birdshot."
2. Larger pellet sizes, such as #4 or #00 (double-aught), have fewer pellets inside the shell and produce a wider, less dense shot pattern. They are used for large game hunting and self-defense and are called "buckshot."
3. Slug shells have a single projectile rather than several pellets and perform more like standard bullets.