The Rio Ammunition Royal Buck (4X3) 12 Gauge 2.75" #1 Buck 12-Pellet 25-Round Box / 10-Box Case RB121225 (UPC 8435101637275) is a hard-hitting buckshot load designed for hunters, home-defense users, and tactical shooters who demand dense patterns, consistent performance, and serious stopping power from their 12-gauge shotgun. Built around Rio’s proven Royal Buck line, this #1 buckshot load uses a 2.75" high-velocity shell with 12 pellets of #1 buck and a muzzle velocity of 1345 fps, delivering excellent pattern density and penetration at typical field and defensive distances.
Key Specs – Rio Royal Buck RB121225 12 Gauge #1 Buck
Gauge: 12 Gauge
Shell Length: 2.75" (2¾")
Shot Size: #1 Buck (1 Buck) – approx. .30 caliber pellets
Pellet Count: 12 pellets arranged in a (4x3) stack for optimal patterning
Muzzle Velocity: 1345 fps for flat trajectories and confident energy on target
Rounds per Box: 25
Boxes per Case: 10 (250 total rounds per case)
Series: Rio Royal Buck buckshot
Model / MPN: RB121225
This load is a versatile choice for deer and hog hunting, rural property protection, and serious home-defense setups where a pattern of #1 buckshot is preferred.
Why #1 Buck? The Sweet Spot Between Pattern & Penetration
#1 buckshot has long been considered a “goldilocks” size for defensive and medium-game hunting use:
Pellets are large enough for deep penetration and strong energy transfer, especially on deer-sized game.
The smaller diameter compared to 00 buck allows more pellets per shell (12 in this Royal Buck load), helping produce denser patterns and more hits on vital zones.
As a result, Rio’s Royal Buck 1 Buck load offers an outstanding balance of:
Pattern density for close- to mid-range accuracy
Terminal performance for hunting and defensive work
Manageable recoil for fast follow-up shots
If you want more pellets on target than traditional 00 buck while still retaining real stopping power, this #1 buck Royal Buck load is a smart choice.
High-Velocity 1345 FPS Performance
Rio engineers this load to a listed muzzle velocity of 1345 fps, giving you:
Flat trajectories at typical shotgun ranges (home-defense and deer distances)
Strong on-impact energy for decisive results on medium and larger game
Reliable cycling in most pump and semi-auto 12-gauge shotguns
That velocity, combined with 12 pellets of #1 buck, helps ensure this load hits hard while maintaining patterns that stay tight enough for ethical hunting shots and effective defensive use out to appropriate distances.
Royal Buck Line – Tight Patterns & Consistent Quality
Rio’s Royal Buck series is built specifically for hunters, competition shooters, and personal-defense users who need buckshot that patterns reliably and hits predictably.
Key features of the Royal Buck design include:
Precision-sorted lead pellets for consistent size and weight, improving pattern uniformity
A proprietary Rio wad system that helps keep the pellet column cohesive in flight, reducing flyers and tightening patterns
Carefully controlled powder charges for stable velocities round to round, which translate into repeatable point of impact and predictable recoil characteristics
The result is a #1 buck load that tends to hold together well out to 35–40 yards, making it a good fit for dense-cover deer hunting and general-purpose defensive use.
2.75" Shell – Maximum Compatibility with 12-Gauge Shotguns
With a 2.75" shell length, Rio Royal Buck RB121225 is compatible with the vast majority of 12-gauge shotguns, including older models that may not be rated for 3" or 3½" magnum shells.
That means you can run this load with confidence in:
Pump-action shotguns (field guns, home-defense models, tactical builds)
Semi-automatic shotguns that feed standard 2¾" shells reliably
Many break-action and over/under shotguns used for brush-country deer and predator hunting
If your shotgun is chambered for 2¾" or longer, RB121225 should be a straightforward choice.
25-Round Box / 10-Box Case – From Testing to Full-Season Supply
Rio packages this Royal Buck load in a 25-round box, with 10 boxes per case for a total of 250 rounds.
Single box (25 rounds) is perfect for pattern testing, zeroing optics or sights, and taking afield for a short season or range session.
Full case (10 boxes / 250 rounds) gives you enough ammunition to:
Pattern multiple guns
Train with your defensive shotgun
Hunt across several seasons
Stock up for long-term storage
For serious hunters, instructors, and dedicated home defenders, buying by the case ensures you’re using the same lot number, helping maintain consistent ballistics and point of impact.
Ideal Applications – Hunting, Home Defense & Training
The Rio Ammunition Royal Buck (4X3) 12 Gauge 2.75" #1 Buck RB121225 is purpose-built for:
1. Deer & Hog Hunting
With #1 buck pellets and strong 1345 fps velocity, this load is well-suited for:
Deer in brushy or wooded environments
Hogs at typical shotgun distances
Other medium game where buckshot is legal and appropriate
The dense 12-pellet pattern helps increase the chance of multiple vital hits while still providing adequate penetration.
2. Home & Property Defense
For defensive use, this load offers:
Heavy-hitting #1 buckshot with a reputation for serious stopping power
Tight, predictable patterns from the Royal Buck wad system
A standard 2.75" shell length that runs in most defensive shotguns
Many shooters favor #1 buck as a balanced choice between pattern density and penetration for defensive scenarios.
3. Training & Shotgun Drills
Because it duplicates the recoil and pattern characteristics of a true defensive/hunting load, RB121225 is a good choice for:
Shotgun manipulation drills
Pattern testing with different chokes
Training classes where students use their actual defensive or hunting guns
Technical Summary – Rio Royal Buck RB121225
Brand: Rio Ammunition
Line: Royal Buck
Model / MPN: RB121225 (Royal Buck 4x3)
Gauge: 12 Gauge
Shell Length: 2.75"
Shot Size: #1 Buck (1 Buck)
Pellet Count: 12 pellets (4x3 stack)
Shot Weight: Approx. 1 1/5 oz #1 buckshot
Muzzle Velocity: 1345 fps
Rounds per Box: 25
Boxes per Case: 10 (250 rounds)
Casing: Plastic hull with brass-plated steel head
Intended Use: Medium/large game hunting (deer, hogs), home defense, property protection, and high-realism training
Why Choose Rio Royal Buck (4X3) #1 Buck RB121225?
If you’re looking for 12-gauge #1 buckshot that delivers consistent patterns, high velocity, and a proven track record for both hunting and defense, Rio Ammunition Royal Buck RB121225 stands out because it offers:
12 pellets of #1 buck at 1345 fps – a powerful, pattern-dense combination
Reliable performance backed by Rio’s Royal Buck technology and proprietary wad design
Flexible use for deer hunting, hogs, and home defense
Convenient 25-round boxes and 10-box cases for everyone from casual hunters to serious shotgun enthusiasts
For a do-it-all 12-gauge buckshot load that doesn’t compromise on pattern or power, the Rio Ammunition Royal Buck (4X3) 12Gauge 2.75" 1 Buck Shot 25 Per Box/10 Case RB121225 is an excellent choice to feed your shotgun.
The End
