Hornady Critical Defense 12 gauge buckshot (part no. 86240) is built to deliver serious threat-stopping power the moment a home-defense shotgun is called into action. Hornady loads the 2.75-inch shell with 00 buckshot behind its Versatite wad technology, engineered to hold pellets in a tight, consistent pattern shot after shot without requiring a special choke or any modification to the gun. That consistency matters most in the low-light, close-quarters scenarios a defensive shotgun is actually built for, where an erratic pattern can mean the difference between a solved problem and a missed one. This shotgun shells round is purpose-built for the shotgun kept loaded by the bed or the door.

Key Specifications

• The gauge is 12 gauge, the standard defensive shotgun bore.
• The shell length is 2.75 inches, fitting any 12 gauge chamber, including 2.75-inch-only guns.
• The shot size is 00 buckshot, the classic defensive payload for stopping power at room distances.
• Hornady’s Versatite wad technology holds the pellets in a tight, consistent pattern without a special choke.
• Hornady markets this specifically under the Critical Defense line, built around threat-stopping performance.
• Cost runs about $1.68 per round, reasonable pricing for a purpose-built defensive buckshot load.
• Each box holds 10 rounds, enough to load the gun and keep spares on hand.
• Shipping weight per box runs 0.9125 pounds, useful for shooters planning a case-quantity order.
• Hornady frames the load around threat-stopping power, the design goal behind the entire Critical Defense line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special choke for this buckshot to pattern well? No, Hornady’s Versatite wad is designed to deliver tight, consistent patterns through a standard shotgun with no modification or special choke needed.

Is 00 buck a common choice for home defense? Yes, 00 buckshot is one of the most widely used defensive shotgun payloads, balancing pellet count and per-pellet energy for close-range stopping power.

Buy Hornady Critical Defense 12 Gauge Buckshot

A defensive shotgun is only as good as the load behind the trigger, and Critical Defense exists to make sure that load performs exactly when it has to. Order from our Lubbock, Texas gun shop and it ships fast to your door.