12 gauge shotgun shell

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The **12 gauge shotgun shells** are types of ammunition in *Fallout*, *Fallout 2*, *Fallout 3*, *Fallout: New Vegas*, *Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel* and *Fallout Tactics*.

## Background

The most common type of shotgun shell, 12 gauge rounds are the de facto standard for shotguns across the wasteland, corresponding to an 18.53mm/.729 bore. Purebore ammunition is the most popular and most durable shell brand to hit the wastelands after the Great War, loaded with leaden pellets that can take down humans, mutants, and monstrosities with equal ease. All shells have a print reminding the users that they are not for use by children under 3. Shoot responsibly!

## Variants

### 12 gauge shotgun shell, buckshot

Gameplay articles: Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout Tactics, Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel, Van Buren
The industry standard for shotgun shells, filled with regular leaden pellets.

### 12 gauge, 4/0 buck

Gameplay article: Fallout: New Vegas
A specialized type of shotgun ammunition, using just four large pellets in place of the regular seven. This makes them more powerful and more accurate.

### 12 gauge, 4/0 Buck Magnum

Gameplay article: Fallout: New Vegas
A variant of the 4/0 buckshot ammunition. Not only does it use four large lead pellets, it is also loaded with a larger than usual powder load, resulting in better damage and penetration.

### 12 gauge, bean bag

Gameplay article: Fallout: New Vegas
A specialized shotgun shell, where the lead shot is contained within a fabric "pillow". Said pillow is filled with lead shot and is designed to deliver a non-penetrative blow that will cause minimal long-term damage, but will cause the body to spasm violently, stunning and immobilizing the target. A long term favorite of law enforcement agencies, bean bags are perfect for subduing targets, though care should be taken as they can still cause actual trauma to unprotected targets.

### 12 gauge, coin shot

Gameplay article: Fallout: New Vegas
A near-legendary method of loading shotgun shells, originating from the 19th century wild west and tall tales of gun fighters. In the Mojave, shotgun users use Legion denarii to prepare these shotgun shells. They replace regular lead pellets with these coins, adding an additional pellet to the shot. Legion denarii can sometimes survive impact and be found in the victims. Naturally, coin shot is also a very expensive type of ammunition, both for the denarii inside and the novelty value.

### 12 gauge, Dragon's Breath

Gameplay article: Fallout: New Vegas
An exotic type of shotgun ammunition, the leaden pellets are loaded with a charge consisting primarily of magnesium pellets and shards. When fired, they ignite creating a short-lived torrent of fire which sets the target alight for five seconds.

### 12 gauge, Magnum

Gameplay article: Fallout: New Vegas
Standard 12 gauge shotgun shells loaded with a higher than normal amount of gun powder, resulting in higher pellet velocities, increasing the amount of damage dealt to the target. However, the load also puts more stress on the weapon components, resulting in faster weapon deterioration.

### 12 gauge, pulse slug

Gameplay articles: Fallout Tactics, Fallout: New Vegas
A specialized variant of ammunition, with the tip of a Brenneke-style slug replaced by a device designed to release an electromagnetic pulse on impact. This contraption is particularly well suited against power armor and robots.

### 12 gauge, slug

Gameplay articles: Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout Tactics, Van Buren
The 12 gauge slug is a Brenneke-type solid lead slug cast with outside fins, allowing it to deform in the shotgun barrel and fly in a stable trajectory. As it is a single projectile, the slug focuses all the power of a powder load is transferred to it, resulting in excellent accuracy and range.

### 12 gauge, flechette

Gameplay articles: Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout Tactics
A specialist variant of the shotgun shell, with the standard leaden shot replaced by five metal flechettes, originally designed to kill snipers hiding in dense foliage. These arrow-like projectiles trade a minor reduction in damage for excellent penetration of targets. Furthermore, the shells are designed in a way that allows them to be fired near-noiselessly. As such, using them is like using silencer on regular weapons.

### 12 gauge, rubber

Gameplay article: Fallout Tactics
Ammunition. 12 gauge shotgun shells, rubber.

### 12 gauge (junk)

A makeshift shotgun shell loaded with scrap in place of leaden pellets. The uneven profile and subpar composition of the pellets make it an ammunition of last resort, which is still better than nothing.

## References

1. ↑ Item description in *Fallout*, *Fallout 2* and *Fallout Tactics*: *"{9500}{}{12 ga. Shotgun Shells}"*
*"{9501}{}{Shotgun ammunition. This particular ammo is marked: "12-gauge shells, not for use by children under the age of 3."}"*
(PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout), PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout 2), Items.txt)