The most powerful shotguns range from efficient and compact to large and are designed to fire lethal force with a great spread.
Check out this roundup of the most powerful shotguns available today.
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10 Most Powerful Shotguns for the Money in 2023
1. Benelli M2 Tactical
The M2 Tactical by Benelli is one of the most powerful shotguns for a reason. It is an amazingly lightweight shotgun making it an ideal choice for when the job demands utmost reliability.
This makes the M2 Tactical ideal for all your security needs, multi-gun competition, and home defense.
As far as optics go, it comes with open rifle sights and ghost ring sights for fast target acquisition, thanks to its tapped and drilled receiver. Lastly, the featured comb pad and gel recoil pad protect your shoulder for faster follow-up shots.
Specs:
- Gauge: 12-Gauge
- Grip: Pistol Grip
- Barrel Length: 18.5″
- Hand Dominance: Right-Handed
- Chambered For: 2-3/4″, 3″
- Magazine Capacity: 5+1
- Length Pull: 14-3/8″
- Sight: Ghost-ring
- Overall Length: 39.75″
- Average Weight: 6.7 lbs
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2. Kel- Tec KSG
Don’t let the short feel and appearance of this shotgun fool you. The KSG comes with stout versatility and capacity boasting two magazine tubes that hold an outstanding amount of shells.
Depending on how long your shells are, the KSG can hold 7+7+1 or 6+6+1 in a 26-inch package. Thanks to the Picatinny-style rails on its standard 18-inch barrel, you can effortlessly mount your favorite accessories on the bottom and top.
On the other hand, the manual selector lever allows for swift ammunition change and possibly one of the world’s fastest reload.
Specs:
- Caliber: 12g, 3”
- Unloaded Weight: 6.9lbs
- Magazine Capacity: 7+7 (2 3/4” shells)
- Overall Length: 26.1”
- Barrel Length: 18.5” (Smooth Bore)
- Trigger Pull: 5lbs
3. Fostech Origin 12
Whether you are looking for some fun downrange or a home defense shotgun, the Origin 12 is an excellent addition to any shooter’s shotgun arsenal.
It is a semi-automatic shotgun that has been praised as one of the fastest semi-auto shotguns in the world. True to this, the Origin 12 packs a punch owing to its three-point operational finger position, a quick change barrel system, and an infinite gas system.
The shotgun comes threaded to accommodate Salvo suppressors, features a five-round magazine and hard case, and has a Picatinny rail system. These are in addition to a smooth bore barrel and an M22 X .75 -6G muzzle thread.
Note: The Saiga adapter from SilencerCo is required for Salvo suppressors.
Specs:
- Gauge: 12
- Overall Length Collapsed: 28”
- Barrel Length: 9.75″
- Overall Length Extended: 31.25″
- Shell Length: 2 3/4″ only
- Overall Length Folded: 21″
- Weight: 9 lb 2 oz
4. Fabarm STF 12 Short
Introduced in 2018, the STF/12 platform is entirely modular with a ton of features that render it more user-friendly compared to shotguns. For instance, it has five interchangeable barrel lengths measuring 11, 14, 18, 20, and 22 inches, all of which come equipped with a muzzle brake.
Specs:
- Gauge: 12 / 76 MM ( 12-3”)
- Overall Length: 24,4”
- Barrel Length: 11”, 14”, 18” , 20”
- Bore Diameter: 11”, 14” , 18”: 18,4 MM
20”: Tribore HP - Barrel Finish: Black Non-Glare
- Choke: Inner HP Accuracy
- Total Capacity: 11” ( 5+1), 14” (5+1), 18” (6+1), 20” (7+1), 22” (7+1)
5. IWI Tavor TS12
This gas-regulated bullpup shotgun feeds from one of its three magazine tubes that can hold up to four three-inch shotgun shells or five 2 ¾-inch shotgun shells. This results in a potential magazine capacity of 15 rounds plus one round in the chamber.
That’s not all. A unique feature automatically loads rounds into the chamber once the previously loaded tube is rotated into place. As a result, it can be unloaded or fed from either side.
The TAVOR TS12 is currently being offered in black but the subsequent versions will be available in flat dark earth and green. All in all, the TS12 is optimized and innovative for compact and versatile home defense or sporting shotgun, among other applications you need.
Specs:
- Gauge: 12ga/3” chamber
- Barrel Length: : 18.5”
- Overall Length: 28.34” not including the choke
- Unloaded Weight: 3.6 kg
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6. Vepr 12 Defender Shotgun
Unlike most shotguns in this list, the Vepr 12 Defender features a permanently attached muzzle brake that extends the barrel and enhances your shooting experience by reducing recoil and muzzle rise.
What’s more, Vepr 12 shotguns are highly reliable in harsh conditions making them an ideal choice for self-defense. This is thanks to a ton of functional features, including RPK-style windage rear sight, original safety lever, a Picatinny rail on a hinged dust cover, among others.
Note: Since the muzzle brake on the VEPR 12 is permanently attached, rotating or trying to remove it can cause permanent damage to the barrel and shotgun in general.
Specs:
- Caliber: 12 Gauge
- Chamber: 3”
- Color: Black
- Overall Length: 38”
- Action Type: Semi-Auto
- Barrel Length: 18.38”
- Folded Length: 27.75”
- Magazine: 5-rounds or 8-round
- Unloaded Weight: 9.04 lbs
7. Mossberg 930 Tactical 8 Shot
The Mossberg 930 platform boasts a renowned reputation as a sturdy and reliable autoloader that is ideal for security and hunting applications. Therefore, when every second matters, the autoloading Mossberg Tactical 8 Shot is undoubtedly a perfect first choice.
It comes packed with a quick magazine release button for effortless unloading, a dual gas-vent system, and a tapped and drilled receiver. Keep in mind that some models of the 930 platform feature Picatinny rails and LPA Ghost Ring Sights.
Specs:
- Gauge: 12
- Chamber: 3″
- Capacity: 7+1
- Sight/Base: Bead
- Barrel Length: 18.5″
- Weight: 7.5
- Choke: Cylinder Bore
- Length: 39″
- Barrel Finish: Matte Blued
- Stock Finish: Synthetic (Black)
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8. Browning Auto-5 Stalker
The entire Browning Auto-5 Stalker shotgun, from the recoil pad to the choke tubes, is designed to withstand the most comprehensive load range, toughest conditions, and shot strides.
Thanks to the new Kinematic Drive System, the A5 Stalker is easily one of the most well-balanced and fast cyclings recoil-operated autoloading shotguns on the planet. It is no wonder it comes with an attractive five-year or 100,000-round guarantee.
Specs:
- Gauge: 12
- Chamber Length: 3″
- Length of Pull: 14 1/4″
- Barrel Length: 26″
- Drop at Comb: 1 3/4″
- Overall Length: 47 5/8″
- Weight: 7 lbs 3 oz
- Drop at Heel: 2″
- Rib Width: 1/4″
- Magazine Capacity: 4, 2 3/4″ shells
- Stock Finish: Matte Black
- Barrel Finish: Matte Blued
9. Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus Synthetic
Thanks to a now featured soft comb, the A400 Xtreme Plus Synthetic now has further reduced felt recoil. By providing outstanding patterning from various hunting loads, it is undoubtedly a one-of-a-kind hunting shotgun.
Additionally, the shotgun’s barrel comes with a step rib that features a front bead optic and an integral mid-bead to guarantee proper sight fit and picture in all conditions. Lastly, a large loading port, bolt release, and an extending charging handle allow easy handling and loading in poor weather conditions.
Specs:
- Gauge: 12
- Barrel Length: 28”
- Barrel Length: 71cm
- Chamber: 89mm
- Chamber: 3″ 1/2
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10. UTAS XTR12
At first glance at the UTAS XTR12, you will notice an integrated quad Picatinny rail for mounting your optics and iron sights that you must buy separately.
Moreover, it comes with eight-position sling attachment housing and an ambidextrous safety and bolt release. When it comes to cleaning and maintenance, a 15-second field stripping is enough to break apart the shotgun without the help of any tools.
Note: It does come with sights included
Specs:
- Caliber: 12 Gauge
- Muzzle Thread: 23×1
- Magazine Capacity: 2,5,10 Rounds
- Operation System: Gas Operated
- Barrel Length: 20.08″
- Chambered For: 3″ and 2 3/4″ Magnum
- Product Weight: 6.9lbs
- Length: 998mm to 1077mm
- Feed System: Detachable Magazine
When it comes to utmost power, not many firearms can match the incredible punch of a shotgun. All the weapons in this list boast outstanding potential in the field and mind-boggling hitting force in the range.
Moreover, each has an array of unique advantages that make your shooting experience even more smooth and enjoyable.
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