Editing Shotgun (section)

==Ammunition==
{{Main|Shotgun shell}}
[[File:USMC-050303-M-0884D-004.jpg|right|thumb|Loading [[12-gauge]] shells into an [[M1014]] semi-automatic shotgun]]
The extremely large caliber of shotgun shells has led to a wide variety of different ammunition.

'''[[Shotgun shell|Shotshells]]''' are the most commonly used round, filled with lead or lead substitute pellets.

Of this general class, the most common subset is '''birdshot''', which uses a large number (from dozens to hundreds) of small pellets, meant to create a wide "kill spread" to hunt birds in flight. Shot shells are described by the size and number of the pellets within, and numbered in reverse order (the smaller the number, the bigger the pellet size, similar to bore gauge). Size nine (#9) shot is the smallest size normally used for hunting and is used on small [[upland game bird]]s such as [[dove]] and [[quail]]. Larger sizes are used for hunting larger upland game birds and [[waterfowl]].

'''[[Buckshot]]''' is similar to but larger than birdshot, and was originally designed for hunting larger game, such as deer (hence the name). While the advent of new, more accurate slug technologies is making buckshot less attractive for hunting, it is still the most common choice for police, military, and [[Self-defense|home defense]] uses. Like birdshot, buckshot is described by pellet size, with larger numbers indicating smaller shot. From the smallest to the largest, buckshot sizes are: #4, (called "number four"), #1, 0 ("one-aught"), 00 ("[[double-ought buck|double-aught]]"), 000 ("triple-aught") and 0000 ("four-aught"). A typical round for defensive use would be a 12-gauge {{convert|2+3/4|in|cm|adj=on}} length 00 buck shell, which contains 9 pellets roughly {{convert|8.4|mm|in}} in diameter, each comparable to a [[.38 Special]] bullet in damage potential. New "tactical" buckshot rounds, designed specifically for defensive use, use slightly fewer shot at lower velocity to reduce recoil and increase controllability of the shotgun. There are some shotgun rounds designed specifically for police use that shoot effectively from {{convert|50|yd}} with a {{convert|20|in||adj=mid|-diameter}} grouping of the balls.

'''[[shotgun slug|Slug]]''' rounds are rounds that fire a single solid slug. They are used for hunting large game, and in certain military and law enforcement applications. Modern slugs are moderately accurate, especially when fired from special rifled slug barrels. They are often used in "shotgun-only" hunting zones near inhabited areas, where rifles are prohibited due to their greater range.

'''Sabots''' are a common type of slug round. While some slugs are exactly that—a 12-gauge metal projectile in a cartridge—a sabot is a smaller but more aerodynamic projectile surrounded by a "shoe" of some other material. This "sabot" jacket seals the barrel, increasing pressure and acceleration, while also inducing spin on the projectile in a rifled barrel. Once the projectile clears the barrel, the sabot material falls away, leaving an unmarked, aerodynamic bullet to continue toward the target. The advantages over a traditional slug are increased shot power{{what?|date=February 2022}}, increased bullet velocity due to the lighter-mass bullet, and increased accuracy due to the velocity and the reduction in deformation of the slug itself. Disadvantages versus a traditional slug include lower muzzle momentum due to reduced mass, reduced damage due to smaller bullet diameter, and significantly higher per-unit cost.

===Specialty ammunition===
The unique properties of the shotgun, such as large case capacity, large bore, and the lack of rifling, has led to the development of a large variety of specialty shells, ranging from novelties to high tech military rounds.

====Hunting, defensive, and military====
'''Brenneke''' and Foster type slugs have the same basic configuration as normal slugs, but have increased accuracy. The hollowed rear of the Foster slug improves accuracy by placing more mass in the front of the projectile, therefore inhibiting the "tumble" that normal slugs may generate. The Brenneke slug takes this concept a bit further, with the addition of a wad that stays connected to the projectile after discharge, increasing accuracy. Both slugs are commonly found with fins or ribs, which are meant to allow the projectile to safely squeeze down during passage through chokes, but they do not increase stability in flight.

'''[[Flechette]]''' rounds contain aerodynamic darts, typically from 8 to 20 in number. The flechettes provide greatly extended range due to their aerodynamic shape and improved penetration of light armor. American troops during the [[Vietnam War]] packed their own flechette shotgun rounds, called ''beehive rounds'' after the similar [[artillery]] rounds. However, terminal performance was poor due to the very light weight of the flechettes, and their use was quickly dropped.

'''Grenade''' rounds use exploding projectiles to increase long range lethality. These are currently experimental, but the British [[FRAG-12]], which comes in [[High Explosive]] (HE), High Explosive [[Armor-piercing]] (HEAP) and High Explosive Fragmenting Antipersonnel (HEFA) forms, is under consideration by military forces.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mcwl.usmc.mil/factsheets/FRAG12%205%20Aug%2005.pdf |title= FRAG-12 fact sheet |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080413202508/http://www.mcwl.usmc.mil/factsheets/FRAG12%205%20Aug%2005.pdf |archive-date=13 April 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.army-technology.com/features/feature106869/|title=High Explosive: Innovations in Ammunition – Army Technology|date=12 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defensereview.com/auto-assault-12-shotgunfrag-12-high-explosive-round-comboweapon-system/|title=Auto Assault-12 (AA-12) Full-Auto Machine Shotgun/FRAG-12 High-Explosive Round Combo/Weapon System!}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV379084djs| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211029/WV379084djs| archive-date=2021-10-29|title=The AA-12 shotgun |last=Haloskulls117|date=29 June 2010 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

====Less-lethal rounds, for riot and animal control====
[[File:Fiocchi rubber buckshot.jpg|thumb|right|Two rounds of Fiocchi 12-gauge rubber buckshot]]
'''[[Flexible baton round]]s''', commonly called ''bean bags'', fire a fabric bag filled with birdshot or a similar loose, dense substance. The "punch" effect of the bag is useful for knocking down targets; the rounds are used by police to subdue violent suspects. The bean bag round is by far the most common [[less-lethal]] round used. Due to the large surface area of these rounds, they lose velocity rapidly, and must be used at fairly short ranges to be effective, though use at extremely short ranges, under {{convert|3|m|ft|abbr=on}}, can result in broken bones or other serious or lethal injuries. The rounds can also fly in a frisbee-like fashion and cut the person or animal being fired at. For this reason, these types of rounds are referred to as less-lethal, as opposed to less-than-lethal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/206089.pdf |title=NIJ : Research for Practice : Impact Munitions Use: Types, Targets, Effects |publisher=Ncjrs.gov |access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>

'''Gas''' shells spray a cone of gas for several meters. These are primarily used by riot police. They normally contain [[pepper gas]] or [[tear gas]]. Other variations launch a gas-grenade-like projectile.

'''Rock salt''' shells are hand loaded with coarse [[Halite|rock salt]] crystals, replacing the standard lead or steel shot. Rock salt shells could be seen as the forerunners of modern less-lethal rounds. In the United States, rock salt shells were and are sometimes still used by rural civilians to defend their property. The brittle salt was unlikely to cause serious injury at long ranges, but would cause painful stinging injuries and served as a warning. British gamekeepers have used rock salt shells to deter poachers. Rather than get into a physical confrontation, they stalk the poachers, making themselves known by a loud shout of "Run!" just before firing, to avoid hitting the now-fleeing subject in the eyes.

'''Rubber slugs''' or '''rubber buckshot''' are similar in principle to the bean bag rounds. Composed of flexible rubber or plastic and fired at low velocities, these rounds are probably the most common choice for riot control.

[[Taser International]] announced in 2007 a new 12-gauge '''eXtended Range Electronic Projectile''' or '''XREP''', which contains a small [[electroshock weapon]] unit in a carrier that can be fired from a standard 12-gauge shotgun. The XREP projectile is fin stabilized, and travels at an initial velocity of 100&nbsp;m/s (300&nbsp;ft/s). Barbs on the front attach the electroshock unit to the target, with a tassel deploying from the rear to widen the circuit. A twenty-second burst of electrical energy is delivered to the target. This product was expected to be released to market in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://taser.com/products/law/Pages/XREP.aspx |title=TASER XREP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625092359/http://taser.com/products/law/Pages/XREP.aspx |archive-date=25 June 2009}}</ref> They were used—despite still being subject to testing, in breach of the supplier's license—by Northumbria police in their [[2010 Northumbria Police manhunt|standoff with Raoul Moat in 2010]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-11455884 |work=BBC |title=Raoul Moat Taser Company Director "Kills Himself" |date=1 October 2010 |access-date=12 October 2022}}</ref>

'''[[Breaching round]]s''', often called '''[[Frangible bullet|frangible]]''', '''Disintegrator''', or '''Hatton''' rounds, are designed to destroy door locking mechanisms without risking lives. They are constructed of a very brittle substance that transfers most of the energy to the primary target but then fragment into much smaller pieces or dust so as not to injure unseen targets such as hostages or non-combatants that may be standing behind a breached door.

'''Bird bombs''' are low-powered rounds that fire a [[firecracker]] that is fused to explode a short time after firing.<ref name="nonlehtal">{{cite web| url=http://stinet.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=A351134&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf |title= FRAG-12 fact sheet| url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904025317/http://stinet.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=A351134&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf |archive-date=4 September 2012}}</ref> They are designed to scare animals, such as birds that congregate on airport [[runway]]s.

'''Screechers''' fire a [[pyrotechnic]] whistle that emits a loud whistling sound for the duration of its flight.<ref name="nonlehtal"/> These are also used to scare animals.

'''[[Blank (cartridge)|Blank]]''' shells contain only a small amount of powder and no actual load. When fired, the blanks provide the sound and flash of a real load, but with no projectile.<ref name="nonlehtal"/> These may be used for simulation of gunfire, scaring wildlife, or as power for a launching device such as the [[O.F. Mossberg & Sons|Mossberg]] #50298 marine line launcher.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mossberg.com/manuals/LineLauncher.pdf |title=Safety Equipment : Owner's Manual : Mossberg |publisher=Mossberg.com |access-date=19 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080414105241/http://www.mossberg.com/manuals/LineLauncher.pdf |archive-date=14 April 2008 }}</ref>

'''{{Visible anchor|Stinger}}''' is a type of shotgun shell which contains sixteen 00-buck balls made of [[Zytel]], and is designed as a non-lethal ammunition ideally used in small spaces.

====Novelty and other====
'''Bolo''' rounds are made of two or more [[Slug (projectile)|slugs]] molded onto steel wire. When fired, the slugs separate, pulling the wire taut creating a flying blade, which could theoretically decapitate people and animals or amputate limbs. However, many active shotgun users consider this to be overstated, and view bolo shells as being less effective than conventional ammunition. Bolo shell rounds are banned in many locations (including the US states of Florida<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0790/SEC31.HTM&Title=-%3E2006-%3ECh0790-%3ESection%2031|title=The 2007 Florida Statutes|publisher=Flsenate.gov|access-date=3 October 2014}}</ref> and [[Illinois]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/pubact92/acts/92-0423.html |title=Public Act 92-0423 of the 92nd General Assembly |publisher=Ilga.gov |access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>) due to concerns about their potential lethality. The round is named in reference to [[bolas]], which use two or more weighted balls on a rope to trap cattle or game.

'''[[Dragon's breath (ammunition)|Dragon's breath]]''' usually refers to a zirconium-based pyrotechnic shotgun round. When fired, a gout of flame erupts from the barrel of the gun (up to {{convert|20|ft|m|0|disp=or}}). The visual effect it produces is impressive, similar to that of a short ranged flamethrower. However, it has few tactical uses, mainly distraction/disorientation.

'''Flare''' rounds are sometimes carried by hunters for safety and rescue purposes. They are available in low and high altitude versions. Some brands claim they can reach a height of up to {{convert|200|m|ft|abbr=on}}.