Cartridges for Wild Boar Hunting

Selecting a wild boar cartridge means balancing gauge compatibility, wad construction and bullet weight together, rather than any single spec in isolation. This guide compares Ozkursan's slug range against those three criteria.

Shotgun Gauge and Case Type

A slug cartridge must match the bore diameter of the shotgun exactly. Ozkursan's catalogue includes 12, 16, 20 and 36 (.410) gauge slug options, each produced in its own case type — 12 16 70, 16 16 70, 20 16 70 and 36 16 63. In each case type code, the first number identifies the gauge and the last number gives the case length in millimetres.

Wad Material by Product

The wad keeps the bullet stable as it travels down the bore. The table below groups Ozkursan's 12 gauge slug cartridges by wad material.

Bullet Weight and Chamber Pressure

Even within the same 30 g weight class, muzzle velocity and chamber pressure can differ significantly. Etna Power, Sniper and Codex Kombo all use a 30 g core, yet Codex Kombo is rated at 800 bar chamber pressure while the other two sit in the 600 bar class. Fast Slug represents the top of the range, at 440 m/s and 850 bar. Always check that the intended shotgun is rated for the case type and pressure class of the cartridge before use.

Choosing Beyond 12 Gauge

For shotguns outside 12 gauge, Ozkursan's 16 gauge, 20 gauge and 36 gauge (.410) slugs are listed in the same Slug Ammunition category. For a comparative look at ballistic performance across calibres, see Performance Considerations for Wild Boar Hunting Cartridges; for background on how slug cartridges differ from shot loads, see What Is a Hunting Slug Cartridge?