20 Gauge Ammo
The 20 gauge shotgun shell is a mid-size shell, ideal for shooters desiring a lighter recoil than the larger 12 gauge shells. This shell size is also excellent for smaller game hunting, trap and skeet shooting, and for those looking for a bit of a challenge with the smaller shot charge.
Showing all 6 results
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Browning BPT 28 Ga, 2.75″ Length, 3/4oz, 7.5 Shot, 25rd
$14.99 -
Less Lethal Home Defense Double Ball 20 Ga, 2.75″, 5rd/Box
$12.49 -
Federal Third Degree Turkey 20 Ga, 3″, 1-7/16oz, 5rd/Box
$27.89 -
Federal Upland Steel 28 Ga, 2.75″, 5/8oz, 6 Shot, 25rd Box
$24.89 -
Federal Standard Power-Shok Rifled Slug 20 ga 2.75″ 3/4oz 5rd Box
$8.99 -
Hornady SST Shotgun Slugs 20 Ga, 250gr, 2-3/4″, 5rd/Box
$16.99
Buyer’s Guide to 20 Gauge Home-Defense Ammo
The 20 gauge, when used appropriately, is a perfectly acceptable weapon for home defense. There is simply no doubt that a 20-gauge shotgun, loaded with buckshot ammo, will do significant damage to virtually any target, including a home intruder. Look at the image above, the Winchester buckshot offers 20 pellets you can throw at a threat. In this case, we fired it into ballistic gelatin and through a 4-layer fabric barrier. The results are impressive!
The main advantage of a 20 gauge shotgun over 12 gauge for home defense is less recoil. By using a smaller shotgun load, shooters can reduce recoil into their shoulders while lowering barrel rise. All of this results in better control of the weapon, which in turn means a higher chance of effective, accurate follow-up shots.

Quite frankly, it’s not the size and design of the 20-gauge shell that makes it less popular for home defense. Rather, the largest barrier is the firearms industry. A 20-gauge shell has the foundation to be an outstanding home-defense load, but the ammunition and weapons manufacturers simply don’t support it. Almost all home-defense shotguns and shotgun loads are based on military and police applications. Can you guess what the U.S. Army and your local police force prefer? That’s right: the 12 gauge!
The vast majority of research, development, and manufacturing for defense-based shotgun ammunition goes to the 12 gauge, which means the average consumer looking for a defense round has almost no options in 20 gauge.
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