What Is a Hunting Slug Cartridge?

Where birdshot and buckshot loads release dozens of pellets in a spreading pattern, a slug cartridge sends a single heavy core down the bore, guided by the wad to strike one point of impact — the defining feature that makes it suited to wild boar and other large game.

Slug vs. Shot Cartridges

A conventional shotgun cartridge holds dozens of small pellets that disperse into a pattern once they leave the barrel. A slug cartridge instead holds one solid core, kept on a straight path by the wad, which reaches the target as a single mass. This construction delivers higher point energy and deeper penetration at range than a shot load, making it the preferred choice for wild boar and other large game.

Case and Wad Construction

Ozkursan's 12 gauge slug range is built on the "12 16 70" case type, where the code identifies the calibre (12), the case-diameter class (16) and the case length in millimetres (70 mm). Wad material varies by product: BIOR wad is used on several slug loads, POWER wad on the Etna Power Slug, and PLASTIC wad on the Codex Kombo Slug. The wad keeps the core stable through the bore and manages chamber pressure as the round fires.

Ozkursan 12 Gauge Slug Range

The table below summarises the catalogue specifications for Ozkursan's 12 gauge slug cartridges, listed in the Slug Ammunition category.

Choosing the Right Calibre

Slug cartridges are not limited to 12 gauge — Ozkursan's catalogue also includes 16 gauge, 20 gauge and 36 gauge (.410) slug options, each matched to the bore diameter of the intended shotgun and carrying its own velocity and pressure figures. For a closer look at ballistic differences between calibres, see Performance Considerations for Wild Boar Hunting Cartridges; for selection guidance see Cartridges for Wild Boar Hunting. As with all hunting ammunition, purchase and use in Türkiye are subject to applicable hunting and firearms regulations.