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Winchester is taking a fresh swing at buckshot with the launch of its new AutoBuck™ shotshell and this one’s built with semi-autos in mind.
Chambered in 12 gauge, AutoBuck is designed to run reliably across a wide range of platforms, including semi-auto, pump, and break-action shotguns. That’s been a sticking point for some buckshot loads, especially in semi-autos, and Winchester is clearly aiming to solve that here.
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Instead of going the traditional #00 route, AutoBuck uses a #1 buckshot payload, packing 12 pellets into a 2¾-inch shell running at 1325 fps. The idea is simple: slightly smaller pellets mean more of them, which can improve hit probability while still delivering solid penetration and energy.
It’s a subtle shift, but one that’s been gaining traction with shooters who want a balance between spread, impact, and consistency.
Winchester says the load was engineered from the ground up to deliver reliable cycling, especially in semi-automatic shotguns, while still covering a wide range of use cases from hunting to home defense to range work.
“Our engineering team went to the drawing board,” said Kyle Masinelli, Winchester’s Senior Director of Product Innovation & Strategy, noting the goal was to create a dependable, all-around buckshot option.
On paper, it’s a straightforward concept: more pellets, consistent velocity, and better reliability across platforms.
AutoBuck ships in 5-round boxes and is already hitting retailers nationwide. Learn more here.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
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We need buckshot that is heavy enough and hard enough to damage drones. What good is a right to bear arms to fight tyranny when we will probably be fighting drones if that happens? They are effectively using tungsten 12 ga loads in Ukraine to damage Russian drones. I’m not sure if it’s tungsten buckshot or tungsten flechette type projectiles, but they would both be very expensive to purchase for American citizens. I propose that someone in the ammo industry develop a steel-jacketed lead buckshot for vehicle and drone protection. This would partially mimic the performance of the more expensive tungsten (I’m pretty sure flechette rounds are illegal in the U.S.). Stay safe. j
Not quite sure about revolutionary?
Frederal’s have 16 pellets and same velocity.
Winchester and Remingto also have 16 pellets, but 75fps less velocity.
Federal – # P154 1B, 16 pellets @ 1325fps MV (copper plated)
Federal – # F1271B, 16 pellets @ 1325fps MV
Winchester – # XB121, 16 pellets @ 1250fps MV
Remington – # SP12BK1, 16 pellets @ 1250fps MV