Federal Premium Vital-Shok Ammunition 12 Gauge 3-1/2" Buffered 00 Copper Plated Buckshot 18 Pellets Box of 5

Federal Premium Vital-Shok 12 Gauge 3-1/2" 00 Buckshot delivers serious stopping power in a package built for hunters and home defenders who demand consistent, pattern-tight performance. This 18-pellet magnum load pairs copper-plated shot with proven buffering technology to keep pellets from deforming in the shell, resulting in the dense, uniform patterns you need for reliable hits on hogs, deer, and predators at hunting distances.

Buckshot gets a bad reputation for being crude, but Federal's engineering approach treats it with the same precision applied to their rifle ammunition. The copper plating protects each pellet while it travels down the barrel and downrange, maintaining velocity and energy transfer. The buffering compound that surrounds the shot column does the real work: it absorbs the shock of acceleration, keeping pellets round and tight together so your pattern stays efficient beyond typical buckshot ranges.

A box of five shells means you're getting 90 total pellets of 00 buckshot—plenty for sighting in your shotgun, pattern testing, or keeping a reliable defense load in the truck. The 3-1/2" magnum case delivers the payload and velocity to matter when it counts, whether you're hunting thick cover or setting up on a food source. If you've had issues with loose patterns or inconsistent performance from standard buckshot, Vital-Shok's attention to pellet integrity and pattern density makes a measurable difference.

Key Features

• Copper-plated 00 buckshot pellets for protected, consistent downrange performance
• Buffering technology reduces pellet deformation and maintains dense, tight patterns
• 18 pellets per round in a 3-1/2" magnum case for maximum energy and velocity
• Engineered for reliable stopping power on medium to large game and predators
• Box of 5 shells—90 pellets total for pattern testing and reliable reserves

Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Federal Vital-Shok buckshot and standard buckshot loads?

Vital-Shok uses copper-plated pellets and buffering technology to prevent deformation during firing. This keeps the shot column tight and uniform, delivering denser patterns and more consistent energy downrange than typical buckshot, which matters for precision on game.

Is this load suitable for hunting deer and hogs?

Yes. The 3-1/2" 00 buckshot load with 18 pellets delivers the velocity and energy needed for reliable performance on deer and hogs, especially in close to moderate range hunting situations. Pattern your specific shotgun to confirm point of aim and grouping before hunting.

How many shells are in a box, and how many pellets total?

Each box contains 5 rounds. With 18 pellets per round, that's 90 total pellets of 00 buckshot—enough to test patterns, verify zero, and keep reserves on hand.

What gauge and shell length is this ammunition?

This is 12 Gauge, 3-1/2" magnum. Make sure your shotgun is rated for 3-1/2" shells before loading—many 12 gauges are limited to 2-3/4" or 3" maximum.