Latest Loads: 12-Ga., 2" Shotshell

by
posted on December 19, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
short.jpg

Forget dancing teapots; we’re talking about 2", 12-ga. shotshells. Thanks to their scant, 1¾" to 11 316" overall length when roll crimped, you’ll earn an extra round in the magazine for every four, 2¾" rounds that you replace. If that weren’t enough, these petite powerhouses pack serious punch. From the cylinder bore of an 18 1116"-barreled Mossberg Model 500 at 15 yds. the widest-spread pellets of any pattern measured 2 1¼" apart, though more than two-thirds of the 20, 0.24"-diameter projectiles amassed within 12" of the point of aim. Further enhancing the lead pellets’ effectiveness is the nickel plating, which serves to harden them and reduce friction for deep penetration. Talk about devastating! Best of all, recoil is minimal, and, in the Mossberg*, cycling was flawless.

Latest

Kimber 2K11 Comp F
Kimber 2K11 Comp F

New For 2026: Kimber 2K11 Comp

Kimber increased its 2K11 product line with the addition of two models with single-port compensators.

AR-15 vs. Bullpup Rifles: Which One Is Right For You?

Though bullpup-style rifle designs have become popular elsewhere in the world, they aren't nearly as popular with the American shooting public as the ubiquitous AR-15.

2025 Year-End Gun Sales Dip Ahead Of $0 NFA Tax Stamp Enactment

Firearm sales were down in December 2025, reflecting a pause that may be attributable to enthusiasts waiting for the official start of the $0 NFA tax stamp that became official in January 2026.

Preview: Muddy DV8 Enduro Jacket

The softshell component in Muddy’s all-season DV8 camouflage layering system, the Enduro Jacket is designed for warmth, water-resistance and ruggedness while also emphasizing silent mobility.

Review: Savage 110 Trail Blazer Rifle in 22 Creedmoor

Savage’s new 110 Trail Blazer rifle offers top-shelf performance at entry-level pricing.

I Carry: Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro 9 mm Pistol in a PHLster Holster

In this week's episode of "I Carry," we have a Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro 9 mm pistol with a Meprolight MPO Pro-S red-dot sight carried in a PHLster Skeleton kydex holster.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.