Duck Season: 12 Gauge Waterfowl Shotguns & Steel Shot

Duck Season

Get set for opening day with 12 gauge waterfowl shotguns and steel shot loads in #2, #3 and #4. You'll find semi-autos and pumps from Browning, Beretta, Winchester, Weatherby and Mossberg, with 3" and 3.5" chambers and camo finishes. On the ammo side, choose steel loads from Federal, Winchester, Remington, Fiocchi and HEVI-Shot. Firearms ship to your local FFL. Ammo ships to eligible states only.

Buyer's Guide

3" vs 3.5" chambers

A 3.5" chamber also handles 3" and, on most models, 2.75" shells, so you can use heavier loads for geese and lighter loads for ducks. A 3" gun covers most duck hunting and fires shells that are easier on the shoulder. Check each product's chamber and listed shell compatibility before you buy.

Choosing steel shot size

#2 steel: Larger pellets for big ducks, longer shots and geese at closer range.

#3 steel: A middle-ground size for mixed bags of mallards and other mid-size ducks.

#4 steel: More pellets per ounce for decoying ducks at close range and smaller ducks like teal.

Geese vs teal

Geese are larger and tougher, so most hunters use bigger steel, such as #2 or larger, and often 3.5" shells. Teal are small and fast, so smaller shot like #4 gives a denser pattern.

Nontoxic shot

Nontoxic shot required for waterfowl, check current CA regs. Confirm the rules for your state and hunting area before you go.

Ammo ships to eligible states only. Firearms ship to your local FFL.