12 Gauge – 00 Buck – 8P – 2 3/4″ – Hornady Critical Defense (86240) – 100 Rounds

Hornady Critical Defense buckshot was built for home defense shotguns, with a focus on tight, consistent patterns. This listing is Hornady Critical Defense 12 gauge 2-3/4 inch 00 buckshot, 8 pellets, MPN 86240, sold as 100 rounds.

Hornady lists this load at 1,600 fps, which is notably fast for 00 buckshot. Hornady uses its Versatite wad, which holds the pellets together as they leave the barrel and then releases them for tighter patterns than many conventional buckshot loads, helping keep more pellets on target at in-home distances. Using 8 pellets instead of 9 lets the shot stack evenly in the shell, which also supports consistent patterns. Each 00 pellet is about .33 caliber. The higher velocity does bring more recoil than reduced-recoil buckshot, so practice with it to learn how your shotgun handles it.

This ammunition fits shotguns chambered in 12 gauge with a 2-3/4 inch or longer chamber, including the Mossberg 500, 590, and 940, Remington 870, Benelli M4 and Nova, Beretta 1301 Tactical, Winchester SXP Defender, and Maverick 88. A common question is how a tight-patterning load helps in home defense. Tighter patterns reduce the number of pellets that miss the target, which matters inside a home. Another common question is which choke to use. Hornady recommends testing with your shotgun’s standard cylinder or improved cylinder choke and patterning at realistic distances before you rely on it.

Hornady 86240 is new production ammunition, not reloads, made in the USA. This listing ships as 10 boxes of 10 rounds for a total of 100 rounds of 12 gauge 8 pellet 00 buckshot, enough to pattern your shotgun, practice, and keep it loaded with fresh shells. Stored cool and dry, shotshells stay reliable for years. The 10 round boxes are a convenient size to keep one with the shotgun and the rest in storage, and rotating the shells in your gun once or twice a year keeps your defensive load fresh.