Elevate Your Hunt: The Definitive Guide to Remington Express XLR 12 Gauge #4 Shot Ammunition

Are you a serious upland bird hunter seeking reliable and effective ammunition? Do you frequently find yourself asking, "What's the best 12 gauge ammunition for pheasant hunting?" or "Which shotgun shells offer the perfect balance of pattern density and stopping power for grouse or quail?" Look no further. The Remington Express XLR 12 Gauge 2.75" 1 1/4 oz 4 Shot ammunition is engineered to be a dependable workhorse in the field, providing the consistent performance vital for success against challenging game. This detailed guide is crafted for hunters who demand consistency, performance, and value from their shotgun shells. Whether you're navigating dense cover for flushing pheasants, tracking quick-moving rabbits, or ensuring ethical one-shot stops on various small game, understanding the capabilities of your ammunition is paramount. Remington's legacy in firearms and ammunition ensures that the Express XLR line upholds a standard of quality trusted by generations of sportsmen.

Why Choose Remington Express XLR 12 Gauge #4 Shot?

When selecting shotgun ammunition, especially for hunting, several factors come into play: reliability, stopping power, pattern density, and value. The Remington Express XLR in #4 shot excels in these critical areas, making it a go-to choice for a wide array of hunting scenarios.

• Unwavering Reliability: Every hunter knows the frustration of a misfire or a jam when the critical moment arrives. Remington Express XLR ammunition is renowned for its consistent ignition and smooth feeding, ensuring your shotgun cycles reliably, shot after shot. This dependability is crucial whether you're on a multi-day hunting trip or in the middle of a fast-paced flush.
• Optimized Stopping Power for Small Game: The 1 1/4 ounce payload of #4 lead shot delivers a formidable punch. This shot size strikes an excellent balance between pellet count and individual pellet energy. For medium-sized upland birds like pheasants, chukar, or larger grouse, the #4 shot provides sufficient penetration to dispatch game cleanly and humanely. It's also highly effective for small game mammals such as rabbits and squirrels, offering enough energy to ensure quick, decisive results.
• Consistent Patterning: A tight, uniform shot pattern is the secret to effective shotgunning. The Remington Express XLR is designed to deliver dense, evenly distributed patterns downrange, increasing your chances of hitting your target with enough pellets for a clean kill. This consistency is particularly beneficial for flushing birds where quick, accurate shots are often required.
• Exceptional Value: While top-tier performance is essential, value also plays a significant role for many hunters. Remington Express ammunition has long been praised for its economical price point without compromising on the quality and reliability that Remington is known for. This makes it an ideal choice for hunters who spend considerable time in the field and require a high volume of dependable ammunition.

Understanding the Specifics: 12 Gauge 2.75" 1 1/4 oz 4 Shot

Let's delve deeper into the technical specifications and what they mean for your hunting experience.

• 12 Gauge: The 12 gauge shotgun is arguably the most popular and versatile shotgun platform in the world. It offers a broad spectrum of load options, from light target loads to heavy magnum hunting shells. The Remington Express XLR harnesses the inherent power and flexibility of the 12 gauge, providing a robust platform for the #4 shot payload. This makes it suitable for a vast majority of modern shotguns.
• 2.75" Shell Length: This is the standard shell length for 12 gauge shotguns. The 2.75-inch shell ensures compatibility with almost all 12 gauge pump-action, semi-automatic, and break-action shotguns. It cycles smoothly through actions designed for standard loads, minimizing the risk of feeding issues often associated with longer magnum shells in non-magnum chambers.
• 1 1/4 oz Shot Weight: This is a substantial payload for a 2.75-inch 12 gauge shell, packing a significant number of pellets. A heavier shot charge contributes to denser patterns and increased energy transfer at the target, enhancing the terminal performance of the ammunition. For comparison, lighter upland loads might feature 1 oz or 1 1/8 oz, while magnum loads can go up to 1 1/2 oz or more. The 1 1/4 oz strikes a very effective balance.
• #4 Shot Size: This is the cornerstone of this particular load's effectiveness. #4 lead shot is a versatile mid-range size.
  • Pellet Count: While exact counts vary slightly by manufacturer and alloy, a 1 1/4 oz load of #4 shot typically contains approximately 169-175 pellets. This ample pellet count ensures a good pattern density at typical hunting ranges.
  • Penetration: Each #4 pellet carries sufficient energy to penetrate feathers and muscle, reaching vital organs for a quick, humane dispatch of game. It offers better penetration than smaller sizes like #6 or #7.5, which are often preferred for doves or quail, but still provides more pellets than larger, fewer-pellet loads like #2 or #BB.

Ideal Hunting Applications and Use Cases

Understanding when and where to use Remington Express XLR 12 Gauge #4 Shot will maximize your success in the field.

• Pheasant Hunting: This is arguably one of the most common and effective applications for #4 shot. Pheasants are robust birds, often requiring a powerful and dense pattern to bring them down cleanly. The 1 1/4 oz #4 load provides the necessary energy and pellet count to consistently anchor pheasants, even those flushing hard and fast.
• Grouse and Chukar Hunting: While some hunters prefer smaller shot for grouse or quail, the #4 shot offers a margin of error and increased stopping power for larger grouse species or fast-flying chukar. This is especially true in open terrain where shots might be slightly longer.
• Rabbit and Squirrel Hunting: For small game mammals, #4 shot is an excellent choice. Its increased pellet energy over smaller birdshot sizes helps ensure effective, humane kills on animals like cottontail rabbits, snowshoe hares, and squirrels, which can be surprisingly tough.
• Predator Calling (Close Range): For calling coyotes or foxes into close shotgun range, particularly in dense cover, #4 buckshot or even larger shot sizes are often preferred. However, if using lead birdshot, #4 can be considered as a minimum effective size for very close encounters, though it's not the primary choice for this application.
• General Small Game & Pest Control: Beyond specific game species, the versatility of #4 shot makes it suitable for various opportunistic small game encounters or pest control where permitted and appropriate.

Maximizing Performance: Understanding Your Shotgun and Ammunition

Even the best ammunition performs optimally when paired with a well-understood firearm.

• Patterning Your Shotgun: Before heading to the field, it's crucial to pattern your shotgun with the Remington Express XLR #4 shot at various distances (e.g., 20, 30, 40 yards). This process helps you understand how your specific shotgun and choke combination distributes the shot, revealing your effective range and the density of your pattern. This knowledge is invaluable for making ethical shots and avoiding wounded game.
• Choke Selection: The choice of choke directly impacts your pattern. For #4 shot, particularly when hunting pheasants or other upland birds in open country, a Modified or Full choke is often preferred to maintain a denser pattern at longer ranges. In denser cover or for closer shots on rabbits, an Improved Cylinder might be more appropriate. Experimentation during patterning will guide your decision.
• Lead vs. Non-Toxic Shot: Be aware of local hunting regulations regarding lead shot. While the Remington Express XLR #4 ammunition features lead shot, many areas (especially waterfowl hunting zones) mandate the use of non-toxic alternatives. Always verify regulations for your specific hunting location.

Remington: A Legacy of Trust and Innovation

Remington has been a cornerstone of American sporting heritage for over 200 years. Founded in 1816, the company has consistently delivered innovative and reliable firearms and ammunition. The "Express" line of ammunition embodies Remington's commitment to providing quality products that hunters and shooters can depend on, without breaking the bank. The Express XLR continues this tradition, built on generations of manufacturing expertise and a deep understanding of what sportsmen need in the field. When you choose Remington, you're not just buying ammunition; you're investing in a legacy of proven performance. This commitment to excellence ensures that every Remington Express XLR shell is manufactured to stringent quality control standards, resulting in consistent velocities, reliable primers, and uniformly sized shot. This attention to detail translates directly into better patterns and more effective hunting.

Where to Find Your Remington Express XLR Ammunition

For hunters and shooters seeking reliable, high-performance Remington Express XLR 12 Gauge 2.75" 1 1/4 oz 4 Shot ammunition, look no further than DEGuns. As a trusted retailer, DEGuns offers this essential hunting load, ensuring you have the supplies you need for a successful season. Their commitment to customer service and selection makes them an ideal source for all your ammunition and shooting sports needs. In conclusion, the Remington Express XLR 12 Gauge 2.75" 1 1/4 oz 4 Shot ammunition stands out as a superior choice for a wide range of hunting applications, particularly for upland birds and small game. Its blend of reliable performance, optimized stopping power, consistent patterning, and exceptional value makes it an indispensable tool in any serious hunter's arsenal. Prepare for your next hunting adventure with confidence, knowing you're equipped with ammunition that lives up to its legendary name.

Product Specifications

Feature	Detail
Brand	Remington Ammunition
Product Line	Express XLR
Gauge	12 Gauge
Shell Length	2.75 inches
Shot Weight	1 1/4 oz (ounces)
Shot Size	#4 Lead Shot
Packaging	25 Rounds per Box (10 boxes per case)
UPC	047700015309
Part Number	20145
Application	Upland Game, Small Game, General Hunting