Double Ball and Tri-Ball Ammo: A Review

Recently, I had the opportunity to try some shotgun ammunition of a different kind. A few ammunition manufacturers have made available extra large buckshot for 12 gauge shotguns. Both Nobel Sport and Centurion Ordinance/Aguila Ammunition produce Double Ball ammo for shotguns. What is Double Ball ammo? It is like the name suggests; this cartridge contains two .65 spheres (presumably lead alloy) stacked one on top of the other.

This ammunition has the ballistics of a slug, or rather two of them, but is technically buckshot. Both manufacturers make this cartridge in a 2 ¾" shell and both manufacturers make their product so similar in appearance they are almost identical.

Not to be outdone, Dixie Slugs produces a triple ball load in a 3'' shell. This is the same concept except here there are three .60 spheres stacked on top of each other - and for this load they sit in a cup.

Another difference is the configuration of the "top" of the shell. With the Tri-Ball load there is a flat plug at the end of the shell. With the double ball loads, there is a plug with a hole in the center that allows part of the second ball to protrude out. The configuration looks tight but not water tight.

Also, Dixie Slugs casts their slugs which means there is a flat part, or a sprue, on one end of the ball. The other manufacturers either swage or machine their spheres so they are uniformly round. Dixie Slugs included a cup with three spheres with the order, thereby showing me the customer what was actually inside each round - a nice touch.

How do these shells compare? Both in appearance and performance the Double Ball loads are very similar; both use clear shells so one can see the components of the round. The recoil was heavy but manageable. The two spheres separated about six inches just past 30 yards which is about what one would expect, and want, from a 18 ½ inch barrel, pump shotgun (which is what was used).

The Tri-Ball shell produces the strongest recoil I have ever felt from any round I have ever shot. "Tremendous" is not an overstatement when it comes to how heavy the recoil is - and I state that as someone who is far from being recoil sensitive. The three spheres patterned very tight and did not separate as much as the double ball ammo did.

The Double Ball rounds are so similar that cost would be the determining factor for which one I would choose. The advantage they have over the Tri-Ball is: 1. They come in 2 ¾" shells which means in most shotguns with a tubular magazine you can hold at least one more. 2. The recoil will not take off your arm and allows for quicker and more accurate follow up shots. 3. Each ball or sphere is larger, heavier, and is traveling faster (at least out of the muzzle) than their Tri-Ball cousins. 4. The cost is lower. Whether one goes with Nobel Sport or Centurion, they are bound to be cheaper. It should be pointed out that these two companies sell their ammo through online retailers. Dixie Slugs sells their ammo directly through their own website. Their shipping was prompt and while higher (12 USD a box verses 4-10 USD for Double Ball) shipping was already included in the order.

Dixie Slugs Tri-Ball boasts some advantages over Double Ball ammo. The obvious one is that there are three spheres instead of two which is a huge plus. Also, these balls stay closer together down range and for some applications this is desirable. Lastly, the round seems to be "tighter" and better able to resist intrusion by foreign elements, namely water.

Another point needs to be mentioned. These loads were originally designed as hunting rounds usually for feral hogs. Compared to smaller pellets of buckshot, these stacked spheres have enough cross sectional density to penetrate tough hide and tissue. I am sure both rounds would do that job well.

If I have to pick between the Double Ball or Tri-Ball ammo, for most applications I would go with the Double Ball. The Tri-Ball does not open up as much as I would want for closer ranges and thereby tends to negate the advantage of having a third projectile. Ultra tight groupings might be desirable for long distance shots on animals in excess of 500 lbs. but it makes targets harder to hit at closer ranges. That, coupled with the most punishing recoil I have ever experienced makes hitting the target more difficult. The Tri-Ball round is probably the better hunting round while the Double Ball round is (in my estimation) the better defensive round. Both loads are quality rounds and both would accomplish either purpose.