Best Shotguns in Modern Warfare 3: Every MW3 Season 3 Reloaded Shotgun ranked

Max Candelarezi
Shadow Company Operator with Shotgun

When engaging enemies at close range in MW3, Shotguns prove to be an outstanding option. To help you pick the best one for Season 3 Reloaded, we have ranked them from the most effective to the least.

MW3 Season 3 Reloaded is in full swing, offering players a ton of content, and despite Assault Rifles, Snipers, and SMGs being favored picks, Shotguns can be a great choice to dish out enemies in close-quarter combat.

So, we’ve ranked all the Shotguns in MW3 from best to worst, along with a countdown to the top five picks.

Best Modern Warfare 3 Shotguns ranked list

Modern Warfare 3 has nine Shotguns for you to choose from, so we’ve ranked each one from the best to the worst below.

  1. Lockwood 680
  2. Haymaker
  3. KV Broadside
  4. Riveter
  5. MX Guardian
  6. Bryson 800
  7. Lockwood 300
  8. Bryson 890
  9. Expedite 12

Best Modern Warfare 3 Shotguns

5. MX Guardian

MX Guardian Shotgun in Modern Warfare 2
MX Guardian is a full auto Shotgun in MW3.

The MX Guardian is a fully automatic shotgun with an exceptional fire rate that devastates in MW3’s close ranges. When equipped with the right attachments, you can take advantage of its hip-fire capabilities, allowing you to kill enemies in quick succession without aiming down sight.

However, when compared to its counterparts, I noticed this Shotgun hasn’t as much firepower, lacking a little bit of damage at close range, which pushed it to fifth place.

4. Riveter

Riveter Shotgun MW3
The Riveter can deal a ton of damage in close-range combat in MW3.

The Riveter is a powerful Shotgun in Modern Warfare 3, which allows you to fire in fast sequence. Naturally, Shotguns deal a ton of damage up close but with the rapid succession firing, you’ll deal an even greater amount of damage.

3. KV Broadside

KV Broadside Shotgun with Modern Warfare 2
KV Broadside carried over from Modern Warfare 2 to MW3.

Despite looking identical to an SMG, the KV Broadside is a top-tier Shotgun that pales only in comparison to the Lockwoods, thanks to its quick firing rate, impressive movement speed, and controllable recoil.

When equipped with the meta attachments, like the JAK Jawbreaker Conversion Kit, the KV Broadside can lay waste to enemies in just a few shots in medium range and can be lethal up close.

2. Haymaker

MW3 Haymaker Shotgun
The Haymaker is still a popular Shotgun in MW3 Season 3 Reloaded.

Veteran CoD players will easily identify the Haymaker‘s operation, as it closely resembles the Origin 12 Shotgun from MW 2019. Featuring a sizable magazine and an impressive rate of fire, this weapon allows you to quickly eliminate opponents.

1. Lockwood 680 – Best Shotgun in MW3

Lockwood 680 MW3
Lockwood 680 can deal an impressive amount of damage in MW3.

The Lockwood 680 might trigger memories of the frustrating Shotgun Warzone meta given its name, and within multiplayer, it stands out as the best Shotgun in MW3. Despite its fair magazine size and rate of fire, the weapon excels when equipped with the right attachments.

For those seeking to dominate, the Lockwood 680 is precise and easy to use, boasting a powerful damage profile.

So there you have it. Those were all the Shotguns available in Modern Warfare 3 and the best ones to use in Season 3 Reloaded.

For more on the game, be sure to check out our other guides:

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