Buying 12 Gauge Shotguns in Australia
- PricesEntry 12-gauge shotguns from about $550, most sporting over-and-unders $1,500–$6,000, competition and bespoke guns $10,000 to $40,000+.
- AvailabilityWell over 100 of the 390 12-gauge shotguns listed can be ordered today; the rest are special order from the distributor — enquire with the store before ordering.
- DealerMagnum Sports, 19 Babbage Road, Roseville Chase NSW — NSW Firearms Dealer Licence 413159984 — (02) 9882 2689
Every 12 gauge in stock, across over-under, side-by-side, semi-automatic, pump and lever release actions, from Beretta, Miroku, Browning, Webley & Scott, Fabarm, Benelli and Stoeger.
The 12 gauge is the Australian standard for good reasons: the widest ammunition choice by a long way, the cheapest shells, enough payload for everything from quail to clays, and enough gun weight to swing smoothly. If you are buying one shotgun to do everything, this is the bore.
The action decides the licence, not the gauge. A break-action shotgun — over-under, side-by-side or single barrel — is Category A, the broadest category. Lever-action shotguns with a magazine of five rounds or fewer are Category B. Self-loading and pump-action shotguns with five rounds or fewer are Category C, and anything over five rounds is Category D. Categories C and D are restricted and require a genuine reason most shooters do not have.
On barrel length: past about 28 inches you gain almost no velocity. What you gain is swing — more weight forward, slower to start and harder to stop, which smooths out a crossing shot. 30 and 32 inch suit trap and sporting; 28 inch is the all-rounder; 26 inch suits close work in cover.
Fit matters more than any of it, because a shotgun is pointed rather than aimed. Come and put one against your shoulder at Roseville Chase.
Common questions
What licence do I need for a 12-gauge shotgun in NSW?
Over-and-under, side-by-side and single-barrel 12-gauges are Category A, the entry licence category. Lever-action shotguns holding up to five rounds need Category B. Pump-action and semi-automatic 12-gauges are Category C, which is restricted to genuine reasons such as primary production and approved clay target shooting.
Which 12-gauge shotgun is best for clay target shooting?
An over-and-under with a 30 inch barrel and multichokes covers sporting clays and skeet; trap shooters generally choose a 30–32 inch gun with a high rib and a heavier, forward-balanced feel. Beretta 686/694, Miroku MK38 and MK70 and Blaser F16 are the guns most of our club shooters buy.
Can I buy a 12-gauge pump-action or semi-auto shotgun?
Only with a Category C licence, which in NSW is limited to specific genuine reasons such as primary production and approved clay target shooting. We stock Templeton Arms, Pardus, Adler and Mossberg pump-actions and Beretta and Benelli semi-autos for licensed Category C holders.
How much does a 12-gauge shotgun cost in Australia?
At Magnum Sports single-barrel, lever-action and entry over-and-unders start around $550–$1,100, most Beretta, Miroku, Yildiz, Akkar and Webley & Scott sporting guns sit between $1,500 and $6,000, and competition and bespoke guns run from $10,000 to more than $40,000.
Can you ship a shotgun interstate?
Yes. Order online with your licence and PTA details and we transfer the shotgun dealer to dealer to a licensed dealer near you for $65 ($85 to WA). Cartridges cannot be shipped and are collected in store only.
Answers written by the licensed dealers at Magnum Sports, Roseville Chase NSW. Last reviewed September 2026. Firearms law differs by state; check with your state registry before you buy.
