what do numbers mean on shotgun shells

The numbers on shotgun shells usually tell you the shell’s gauge, length, shot weight, shot size, and sometimes velocity. The two most important for safety are gauge and shell length: the shell has to match what your shotgun is designed to use, and a shorter shell can usually be used in a longer chamber, but not the other way around.

What the numbers mean

• Gauge : This is the shotgun’s bore size. A higher gauge number means a smaller bore, so 12 gauge is larger than 20 gauge.

• Shell length : Usually shown in inches, like 2 3/4", 3", or 3 1/2". It should fit your gun’s chamber.

• Shot weight : Often listed in ounces, like 7/8 oz or 1 oz. This is how much shot is inside the shell.

• Shot size : This tells you pellet size. Smaller numbers mean larger pellets; bigger numbers mean smaller pellets. After certain sizes, letters like BB or BBB are used.

• Velocity : Usually in feet per second. Higher velocity often means more recoil.

Simple example

A box marked “12 gauge, 2 3/4", 1 oz, #8, 1200 fps” means:

• It fits a 12-gauge shotgun.

• The shell is 2 3/4 inches long.

• It contains 1 ounce of shot.

• The pellets are size #8, which are relatively small.

• The shot leaves the barrel at about 1200 feet per second.

Safety note

Before using any shell, match the gauge and chamber length to the markings on your shotgun barrel or receiver. If the box shows other markings like steel, lead, or buckshot, those describe the shot material or type, which matters for the intended use.