250 Rounds of 12ga Ammo by Federal Vital-Shok - 00 Buck

This may go without saying, but a magnum 12 Gauge shotshell is powerful. Take this Vital-Shok round by Federal Premium, for example – a three-incher packed with 12 pellets of 00 buckshot. Its 1,325 fps muzzle velocity means the shell’s combined muzzle energy amounts to nearly 2,600 ft lbs. That makes it even more powerful than some 308 Winchester cartridges!

But it’s not just about raw power. It’s about delivering as many pellets to the target as possible, which this shell does quite capably thanks to three high-tech features. First, its double-aught pellets are copper-plated, which helps them avoid deformation while they’re quickly accelerated to faster than the speed of sound. Second, its shot column is suspended in supple granules – “buffering,” which softens the initial jolt of ignition to further reduce pellet deformation. Finally, this shell is outfitted with Federal’s own FliteControl wad. It’s a wad they commonly include in their tactical loads, as it is designed to dramatically tighten the pattern diameter of the shot pellets by quickly and evenly detaching from them.

This ammo may prove a little too much for home defense, especially since the copper-plated shot has a higher likelihood of completely passing through a threat. We’d prefer to use it exclusively for hunting. But ultimately, how you choose to defend your home is your choice.