Lindcott Armory Shotgun · SAAMI
12 Gauge
Most popular shotgun gauge worldwide.
- Caliber
- 0.729″ · 18.517 mm
- Introduced
- 1870
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Hunting, Self Defense, Target
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1870
- Type
- Shotgun
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Inventor
- Various
- Manufacturer
- Various
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Abundant
- Twist (typical)
- N/A (smoothbore)
- Primer
- 209 Shotshell
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 11,500 psi
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Recoil
- 22–35 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Hornady SST Sabot 300 gr, 2,000 fps, BC 0.275 G1 · 100 yd zero.
| Range | Velocity | Energy | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 yd | 1999 | 2663 | -1.5″ | — |
| 100 yd | 1843 | 2262 | 0.0″ | 0.0 |
| 200 yd | 1691 | 1904 | -8.8″ | -4.2 |
| 300 yd | 1543 | 1585 | -29.7″ | -9.4 |
| 400 yd | 1396 | 1298 | -65.3″ | -15.6 |
| 500 yd | 1251 | 1042 | -118.9″ | -22.7 |
| 600 yd | 1116 | 829 | -194.7″ | -31.0 |
Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →
Performance
Buy links open 12 Gauge ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 18.52 | 0.729 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 20.24 | 0.797 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 20.55 | 0.809 | ~ |
| Rim ⌀ | 22.50 | 0.886 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.46 | 0.057 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 69.85 | 2.750 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 69.85 | 2.750 | ~ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 12 Gauge is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 1,464 active loads across 57 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 1,479 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady | SST Sabot | 300 | SST Sabot | 2,000 | 2,664 | 0.275 G1 |
| Remington | Core-Lokt Sabot Slug HP | — | Sabot Slug HP | 1,900 | — | 0.220 G1 |
| Remington | AccuTip Sabot Slug | — | AccuTip 385gr Sabot Slug | 1,850 | — | 0.200 G1 |
| Remington | Express Slug HP | — | 1 oz Rifled Slug HP | 1,600 | — | 0.112 G1 |
| Hornady | SST Sabot Slug | 300 | SST Sabot | 2,050 | 2,799 | — |
| Federal | Trophy Copper 3" | 437 | Slug 3in | 2,050 | 4,077 | — |
| Hornady | Hornady SST Slug | 1 | SST Sabot Slug | 2,000 | 9 | — |
| Winchester | XP3 Sabot Slug | 300 | XP3 Sabot | 2,000 | 2,664 | — |
| Winchester | Partition Gold Sabot Slug | — | Nosler Partition Sabot HP | 2,000 | — | — |
| Winchester | Partition Gold | 385 | Sabot Slug | 2,000 | 3,419 | — |
| Federal | Trophy Copper Sabot Slug | 438 | Copper Sabot | 1,900 | 3,510 | — |
| Federal | Trophy Bonded Sabot Slug HP | — | Trophy Bonded Sabot HP | 1,900 | — | — |
| Remington | Copper Solid Sabot Slug | — | 1 oz Copper Sabot Slug | 1,900 | — | — |
| Federal | Fusion Sabot | 438 | Bonded Sabot | 1,900 | 3,510 | — |
| Federal | Trophy Copper | 437 | Slug | 1,900 | 3,502 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Suitable powders
44 reloading powders listed for 12 Gauge, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in 12 Gauge
12 models in the database chamber 12 Gauge. Browse all →
Connected reference
History
Standardized in 1870s. Named because 12 lead balls of bore diameter equal 1 pound. Became dominant shotgun gauge. Used in both World Wars and every conflict since.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 12 Gauge use?
- 12 Gauge typically uses a N/A (smoothbore) twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 12 Gauge?
- 12 Gauge uses a 0.729″ (18.517 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 12 Gauge still in production?
- 12 Gauge is active; typical availability is abundant.
- What is 12 Gauge used for?
- 12 Gauge is primarily used for hunting, self defense, target, military.
- What are the best powders for 12 Gauge?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for 12 Gauge include No. 1, BA10, CSB1, Vectan BA10, among 44 suitable options.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 1,464 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →