When purchasing a shotgun, one of the most important factors to consider is the ammunition capacity, or the number of shells it can hold. Understanding the shell capacity of your shotgun is vital for compliance with legal regulations and effective use in various scenarios. There is no simple answer to this question of shotgun capacity because it is determined by a variety of factors, including gun type and legal constraints.
This article will go into greater detail to clarify this, but first, let’s understand the different shotgun ammunition.
Types of Shotgun Shells
Not all shotgun shells are the same; some are more powerful and with more recoil, while others are smaller and produce less recoil.
Birdshot
As the name suggests, this particular type of shell, available in various gauges, is suitable for hunting birds and other similar small animals. The shell is comprised of tiny pellets that spread out widely when fired, increasing the likelihood of striking the target. When employed on larger targets, the birdshot becomes less potent and has limited penetration.
Buckshot
A buck is a large male deer that can weigh between 130 and 160 pounds as an adult. This shell, named after one of its targets, is more powerful than birdshot and contains fewer and larger pellets that spread out less widely, resulting in a more concentrated impact. This shell is ideal for larger targets such as deer, coyotes, and hogs.
Slugs
These are the most powerful types of shells, with high stopping power and designed for large targets for one-shot kill. They are composed of a single massive and heavy bullet, which produces a tremendous impact and necessitates greater precision while shooting. The slug can be built of copper or lead, and due to their force, they can fire at a longer distance.
Shotgun gauge
A shotgun’s gauge is similar to the caliber of a rifle or pistol. It measures the diameter of the shotgun’s bore and the number of lead balls of the bore diameter that add up to one pound. The 12 gauge is by far the most common, thanks to its versatility and widespread availability of ammunition. There are several other different gauges, such as 10, 16, 20, and 28.
Shotgun Gauges:
| Gauge | Bore Diameter (In) |
| 10 | 0.774 “ |
| 12 | 0.726 “ |
| 16 | 0.665″ |
| 20 | 0.615″ |
| 28 | 0.546″ |
| 36 | 0.410″ |
Different types of shotguns and their shell capacities
1) Pump-Action Shotguns
The name of this type of shotgun is derived from how one chambers the next round. This action is done on the magazine, which is a tube located beneath the barrel. The shooter manually carries out a pump action to eject spent shells and chamber a new round from the magazine tube into the barrel through the receiver.
The capacity of this shotgun varies depending on the model and the gauge but it typically ranges from 4 to 5 rounds in the magazine and 1 in the chamber.
2) Semi-Automatic Shotguns
Semi-autos don’t require the pump action mechanism to chamber the next round, and their main advantage is that they cycle through the shells faster which can be helpful in high-stress situations.
The capacity of these shotguns varies according to the length of the barrel, although it typically ranges from 5 to 9.
Some semi-automatic shotguns are designed on the AR platform and include an AR-style receiver for a detachable magazine. Although they are rarely used due to their tendency to jam, they have a much bigger capacity of 12 to 18 shells.
3) Break-Action Shotguns
Break-action shotguns can only contain one or two shells at a time, depending on whether they’re single or double-barreled. The rounds are loaded through a hinge-type aperture where the stock merges with the barrel. Although break-action shotguns are exceedingly reliable, they are not advised for high-stress situations.
Legal regulations on shotgun shell capacity
Of course, like with any form of weapon, there are rules and regulations in place to prevent misuse. The regulations governing the use of shotguns vary depending on the state and the nature of the target. The regulations range from import prohibitions to shell capacity limits.
An example of legal restrictions covering most states is contained in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which states that no one shall hunt migratory birds with a shotgun larger than ten (10) gauge or a shotgun capable of holding more than two (2) shells in the magazine.
So, How Many Shells Can a Shotgun Hold?
Well, it depends on a variety of things as we have highlighted in this article. These are; the type of shotgun, how and where it’s being used knowing that there are legal restrictions that govern this. The capacity however ranges from one shell, for the break action shotgun, to more than 18 for the AR-type shotguns. It is worth noting, however, that you are more likely to stumble across a shotgun with five shells, four in the magazine and one in the chamber.
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