12x70 Buckshot is a type of shotgun ammunition featured in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky and S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat.
General Characteristics[]
The 12x70mm Buckshot is probably the most popular shells used by shotguns. It is 12 Gauge / 18.5mm (0.729") wide and 70mm (2.75") long. It contains 9 0.36" spherical pellets, which exit the barrel of a shotgun in a cone shaped pattern when fired.
Buckshot rounds are extremely deadly during initial velocity and are able to waste any unarmored stalker in a single shot, the sheer impact of the shells are also enough to stun anyone lucky enough to survive the shot. However the pellets have poor penetration as their spherical shape and light weight prevents them from properly piercing armor at range. Any stalker possessing heavy armor or at long range will most definitely survive a continuous volley unless shot in the head or worn down with a wasteful volley of buckshot. They are most effective against mutants, who do not posses armor and who heavily rely on melee combat.
12x70 Buckshot has the lowest penetration statistic of any munition in the game, making its performance against armor extremely low, and leaving it unable to penetrate any kind of cover, even some underbrush. On the other hand, it is more likely to stun or kill a target with a direct hit at close range due to it firing multiple pellets with each shot.
The buckshot is likely the most effective ammunition against mutants, due to the multiple pellets. Up-close, the player may even score a one-hit kill against weak mutants such as dogs.
Keep in mind that like other types of shotgun ammo, 12x70mm buckshot is much heavier per. cartridge compared to pistol and intermediate rifle rounds. Considering how easy it may be to obtain buckshot at the start of a game, while it can be an economical way of dealing with unarmored targets, always consider how much it is necessary to carry, even more so than with other types of ammo.
Weapon Compatibility[]
Appearances[]
Shadow of Chernobyl[]
A standard 12 calibre round filled with 6 mm shot. It has an enormous killing power at a close range. It is designed for the BM 17, the Chaser 13 and the SPSA14 shotguns. It is most effective at ranges under 30 metres
― In-game description
In Shadow of Chernobyl, unlike later iterations, shot rounds have penetration capability (albeit limited). However, the large dispersion of projectiles makes this type of ammunition ineffective at long range. These rounds are effective against foes with little to no armor, and are very effective against mutants.
Locations[]
These shells are very common; many rookie Loners and Bandits who carry shotguns will have them on hand. They can be purchased from any trader, except for Colonel Petrenko.
40 shells can be found in the Bandit base armoury in the Dark Valley.
Clear Sky[]
Standard 12-caliber round filled with 6 mm shot. Highly lethal at close range. Used with hunting rifles, shotguns, and the SPSA14 and Chaser 13 semiautomatic shotguns.
― In-game description
In Clear Sky, shot rounds have been modified; the number of shots has been increased from 10 to 15, and the dispersion has been severely reduced, although their stopping power and penetration capability have also been reduced. While still very effective against mutants, they are not as effective against humans. Anyone wearing armor will surely survive more than one shot, unless a headshot is scored.
Locations[]
Buckshot shells remain easy to find, rookie Loners, Bandits, and Clear Sky members packing shotguns use them. Some members of Freedom and Duty carry these shells as well, and just about every trader sells them.
Docent Suslov gives the player a Shotgun alongside 50 shot rounds at the start of the game.
Call of Pripyat[]
Standard 12-caliber round filled with 6 mm shot. Highly lethal at close range. Only suitable for use with smoothbore weapons.
― In-game description
In Call of Pripyat, shot rounds are for the most part identical to their previous iteration, except that their dispersion has been significantly increased. These rounds are the best against mutants. Trapper tells rookies to always keep some buckshot rounds handy for taking down packs of Rodents. They are poor against human enemies - barring a point-blank headshot - but great against all mutants that can be engaged safely at close range.
Locations[]
Buckshot is still the most common type of shotgun munition available to the player. Loners and Bandits have a lot of them, and they're almost always in stock at stores throughout Yanov and Zaton.
Lieutenant Kirillov in Pripyat can periodically give the player 100 buckshot runs when asked for shotgun ammunition.
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