12 gauge bullets come in dozens of varieties and have different designs. The twelfth gauge is the most popular among Russian hunters. Even for large animals, our hunters prefer to go with smooth-bore guns, especially when it comes to collective driven hunts. In terms of stopping power at short range, 12-gauge bullet cartridges are superior to many rifled cartridges. The correct selection of a bullet cartridge allows a hunter with a smoothbore gun to effectively hunt almost any animal.
Arrow bullets
From the name it is clear that an arrow shape was used for this type of construction. All models are equipped with a lightweight tail, which serves to stabilize them during flight. Due to the fact that the front part is made heavier compared to the back, it has a clear shift in the center of gravity towards the head. This affects the correct flight and prevents it from turning over.
Polev's bullet
The Polev bullet was created in the 80s in the Soviet Union. It is a striking element made of lead of small diameter, which is mounted on a plastic shank. In addition to the shank, the diameter of the bullet requires a special thick container for firing. This is necessary so that, unlike usual, it does not dangle. Due to these requirements, the Polev bullet is quite difficult to make on your own.
Used for hunting large animals: bear, wild boar, elk. There are steel and brass variations, but they are practically not common.
A distinctive characteristic of the model is decent accuracy at long and fairly long distances for a smoothbore gun. Up to 150 meters can hit the beast outright. However, the bullet is not suitable for shooting through thickets or bushes due to strong deflections when hitting even minor obstacles.
VVOO-Ilyin bullet
A domestically produced model, which has two parts: main and tail.
The main one is made in the shape of a monolithic cylinder and has a conically pointed appearance in front. Flat ribs are located along the axis of symmetry. The design also provides for a guide belt. The tail section has a lightweight polyethylene three-bladed stabilizer.
Practice has shown that it is the weakest link in the design of this model. It is so weak that during a shot it completely flies off under the influence of the impact force of the powder gases.
This directly affects the deviation of the bullet from the planned flight path.
Bullet Vyatka
This model is also composite in its structure. In appearance it resembles a drop. The model is equipped with 6 ribs that ensure its centering. The design of the model is quite compact and streamlined.
Bullet Diabolo Liman
The model is similar in appearance to match pneumatic bullets. Very famous among hunters who like to shoot for accuracy. The model belongs to the sub-caliber category. Its design ensures a low percentage of rebounds.
The model is easy to make at home, since quite a few manufacturers produce overclocking quality watering cans. The presence of this tool and simple design allows you to make a lot of Diabolo Liman pieces. Therefore, this type is better suited for hunters who like to shoot a lot and often.
Magnum model cartridges
Most hunters prefer Magnum cartridges. This type of ammunition owes its popularity to the fact that its power is an order of magnitude higher than that of its competitors. They have a high ability to kill game, making it possible to hunt large animals. There is a special range of models for special guns whose muzzle power is best suited to the projectile. Gun barrels are durable and can withstand high levels of stress during shooting.
Also, this type of ammunition differs in appearance; their cartridges are longer. Common options are 89 and 76 mm. Eighty-nine millimeter cartridges first appeared in 1987, created by a well-known company called Federal, and cartridges 76 mm long appeared even earlier, after the end of World War II.
Now in the USA Magnum ammunition is manufactured in diameters equal to 10, 12 and 20 calibers, the longest length of these cartridges is 89 mm. Manufacturers of other companies began to follow this sleeve size. The first to produce 89 mm cartridges was the American company Mossberg. These cartridges were originally manufactured for bolt action rifles. Subsequently, other companies began to follow these manufacturers and produce ammunition with a diameter of 89 millimeters, instead of the usual seventy-six.
Not so long ago, Magnum ammunition with caliber 410 appeared, they became famous for even more accurate hits on the target. Such bullets have less weight and miniature dimensions, which are 89 millimeters long and are not produced. The same applies to 20 gauge ammunition. Many manufacturers produce ten- or twelve-gauge Magnum bullets for chamber lengths of 76-89 millimeters.
After the advent of Magnum ammunition, the number of smoothbore weapons became smaller. Manufacturers in this way were able to equip hunters with cartridges that differ in power and compact dimensions.
However, not all hunters in modern life prefer to use Magnum cartridges, not recognizing their high efficiency. Upon closer examination, it seems that Magnum cartridges perform the same function - hit the designated target. But the effectiveness of Magnum ammunition in use has proven to be the best. The shot in these cartridges weighs heavier, which affects the increase in the size of the entire shot projectile as a whole. As a result, the spread of pellets becomes smaller. In order to hit a target, you need at least three pellets in it, with Magnum ammunition you can hit the target from a further distance than with other pellet-based projectiles.
Magnum cartridges are by far the most powerful ammunition that is excellent not only for hunting animals, but also serves as a means of self-defense.
Turbine bullets
In comparison with round, pointer and pointer-turbine ones, this type has the most advanced design. The models are distinguished by the best performance in accuracy and consistency of combat. This is influenced by their structure, which ensures very fast rotation in flight. Its structure is monolithic. The body is made of lead, the head is made heavier than the tail.
In the center there is a through channel, which has the shape of a cylinder or cone. Inside the channel itself there are spiral blades. This is done so that the air flow passing through this channel contributes to stable flight. And the blades, rotating under its influence, increase stability.
Mayer's bullet
This domestically produced model is the most popular among hunters in the turbine category. Its technical feature is that the Mayer bullet, leaving the barrel of the weapon, already begins to rotate. The body has two cylinders connected to each other by a conical transition. The target combat distance is 130-160 m. This model is characterized by a high level of lethality.
Specific points
There is no need to think that this is all there is to it. When talking about which bullet is best suited for a smoothbore hunting rifle, it is necessary to take into account the structural features of the barrel channel, as well as the size of the chamber. Even single-caliber representatives of different brands may differ. It's no secret that each gun company creates its own unique features in the bore. This is typical even for our country, in which everything from A to Z is standardized. For example, Izhevsk and Tula-made barrels for 12 gauge can differ by almost one millimeter. Therefore, when a choice is made, it is difficult to give unambiguous advice.
Which caliber to purchase depends not only on stopping power and firing range. The hunter’s personal preferences also have a strong influence. They can overcome any theoretical calculations and find counterarguments to all the arguments put forward. Of course, a reasonable person would agree that attempting to kill a bear using a .36 with buckshot is doomed to fail. The choice within reasonable limits always remains directly with the hunter himself. At the same time, it is important to choose not only your caliber, but also a suitable system, to select a weapon that is ideal in terms of overall dimensions and weight, so that it fits in your hand like a glove. This is just as important as understanding ammunition and its intended purpose.
Arrow-turbine bullets
To achieve high shooting accuracy, it is necessary to make the bullet as stable as possible during flight. This can be achieved by applying low aerodynamic fins placed in a spiral, or blades on a stabilizer shank. This technological solution, together with the use of the arrow principle, became the basis for the production of this modification of 12-gauge bullets.
Caliber arrow-turbine bullet "Gualandi"
Brenneke bullet
This model was created at the beginning of the 20th century in Germany. It has become widespread throughout the world for smooth-bore weapons. The Brenneke bullet has angled ribs that cause it to rotate when fired. Belongs to the caliber category. This means that the containers do not interfere with the contact between the inner surface of the weapon barrel and the ribs themselves.
With this model it is possible to kill almost any large wild animal, even a grizzly bear. In comparison with the Poleva model, it has a significant drawback - the shot accuracy is worse.
Round bullets
This type is characterized by a simple structural system; their bodies are most often made monolithically. The center of gravity is located in the middle.
Spherical (ball) bullet
It is considered the most ancient. In appearance it is an ordinary ball, the diameter of which can vary according to your wishes. For those who make bullets with their own hands, it will not be difficult to make it. This model can be:
- caliber;
- sub-caliber.
The material for the manufacture of the caliber modification is pure lead. Its physical properties provide the model with minimal friction when passing along the barrel of a weapon. Has the following characteristics:
- stability in flight to the animal;
- small obstacles (grass, thin twigs) have virtually no effect on the flight path after the shot, which is very important for hunting in the forest.
It is still used today even for serious hunting.
Bullet Sputnik
It is a type of round. Used for shotguns with choke barrels. The design of this model provides for the presence of centering belts and point tides. The combat distance is up to 80 meters.
The disadvantage of this model in factory production is its low weight. This negatively affects the following properties:
- initial flight speed;
- live force of impact;
- degree of damage.
There may also be problems with shooting accuracy. This is caused by the design of the model, the belts, protrusions and recesses of which provide additional air resistance.
What influences the indicators?
What determines the result that a hunting rifle bullet can show? In short, this is:
- Impact energy. The designation “projectile manpower” is also used. This indicator depends on the mass of the bullet, as well as its speed at the moment it hits the target. The higher they are, the greater the lethality. But the impact energy is also greatly influenced by the cross-sectional area. What is its significance? The fact is that at equal speeds and masses, bullets with a large cross-section can cause significant damage. That is, they have the highest lethality.
- Bullet design. They are working on it to increase its lethality. A bullet of a special design for a smooth-bore hunting rifle, capable of easily deforming or unfolding in the animal’s body, allows for the best result. To characterize this indicator, the concept of lateral load is often used. What does it mean? This indicator is defined as the ratio of the mass of the bullet to its cross section. The drop in speed and, accordingly, the impact energy at the moment of hitting the target depends on it.
- Material used for manufacturing. This affects the degree of deformation of a hunting rifle bullet at the moment of firing. That is, ballistic properties depend on the material. Bullets are usually made from alloys. They are based on lead, to which additives are added to increase its hardness. These are antimony, arsenic anhydride and many others. Although bullets made from other alloys and metals are also not uncommon. For example, brass, copper, steel.
It is best if the gun uses a cylindrical drill barrel. If a choke is used, this slightly degrades the quality of the shot produced. This especially applies to round bullets.
Bullet Lee
Belongs to the sub-caliber category. It gained wide popularity among hunters due to the fact that the manufacturing company Lee actively distributed its cheap tools, including a watering can for this model. Its main characteristics: inexpensive, easy to implement, lightweight.
There are two variations of the Lee model, the main differentiating factor being weight. The popular name for the bullet – “cap” – describes its shape for itself. For rigidity, an internal rib is built into its design.
Rating of the best 12 gauge cartridges for hunting
You need to know that the choice of ammunition is a very important stage that should be given special attention. If you encounter a large animal along the way, you will not be able to kill it with small-caliber cartridges the first time, this is fraught with negative consequences for you and poses a threat to your life and health, because a wounded animal is very aggressive. When using large-caliber ammunition in hunting small game, there may be nothing left of the target: neither meat, nor valuable skin.
Bullet Tandem
The model belongs to the sub-caliber category. Manufacturing material – steel. Recommended for use when shooting at short distances. The accuracy of a tandem bullet can be described as mediocre.
There are quite a lot of variations in the choice of 12-gauge bullets for smooth-bore weapons today. The hunter is given a wide choice of materials, the presence of a shell, the level of destructive impact on the animal’s body, or structural elements that affect the quality and accuracy of the flight. Each model has its own advantages and disadvantages.
