New Guns and Gear for 2024: Ammunition
This year's roundup of ammunition will help you find the perfect shotgun load for your style of hunting
July 01, 2024 •
4
min read
By Phil Bourjaily and Chris Jennings
1. Apex 20-gauge Tungsten/S3 Steel Blend
The Apex Waterfowl Tungsten/S3 Steel Blend line of shotshells now includes a 20-gauge load, which contains a blend of steel 2s and 7 1/2 or 9 Tungsten Super Shot (TSS). The 1 1/8-ounce load has a muzzle velocity of 1,250 fps and will make an excellent 20-gauge option for ducks and geese over decoys. apexmunition.com
2. Epic TNT
Putting its own stamp on the current lineup of popular stacked loads, newcomer Epic Shotshell mixes TSS with its high-tensile bismuth shot. Between the 18.1 g/cc tungsten and high-tensile 9.6 g/cc bismuth, these loads offer plenty of energy and pattern density. Epic keeps velocity down to 1,275 fps in 12-gauge to improve patterns and lessen recoil. epicshotshell.com
3. Kent Fasteel+
These loads from Kent combine two sizes of steel shot to produce better patterns and put more total energy on target. Available in 3 1/2-inch and 3-inch 12-gauge and in 3-inch 20-gauge, they come loaded with BBx2 (in 12-gauge only), 2x4, and 4x6 pellets. Velocities are 1,450 fps in 12-gauge and 1,350 in 20-gauge. kentcartridge.com
4. Winchester Small-Gauge Bismuth
Winchester now offers a bismuth load for 3-inch 28-gauge shotguns. The new load contains 1 ounce of 5 shot at 1,300 fps, which should be a great option for small-bore enthusiasts after ducks and pheasants. Winchester’s bismuth loads contain micro-buffers to protect pellets and produce excellent patterns. winchester.com
5. Browning Wicked Blend 12-Gauge 2x4
Browning offers mixed steel and bismuth loads for 12- and 20-gauge shotguns, including a new load that contains 70 percent steel 2s and 30 percent bismuth 4s with Browning’s Wicked Wad. These loads offer extra energy and pattern density for a lower price than pure bismuth. browningammo.com
6. Winchester Bismuth 4s
Winchester’s buffered bismuth loads pattern extremely well, with little of the shattering that can occur with some bismuth ammunition. The 3-inch loads of 4 shot contain a hefty 1 3/8-ounce payload at 1,450 fps, making them an excellent choice for ducks at almost any range. winchester.com
7. Winchester Xpert 28-Gauge
For budget-minded small-bore shooters, Winchester offers these affordable 3-inch 28-gauge Xpert waterfowl loads. Winchester’s proprietary manufacturing process creates corrosion-resistant steel pellets and helps keep the overall costs down. These 3/4-ounce loads of steel 4s leave the muzzle at 1,350 fps, making them a solid option for ducks over decoys and pheasants over dogs. winchester.com
8. Federal Black Cloud 28-Gauge
Federal is now giving owners of 3-inch 28-gauge guns a steel option by downsizing its Black Cloud loads. These loads contain the same mix of ridged Flitestopper pellets and round steel shot as well as a 28-gauge version of the FliteControl Flex wad. federalpremium.com
9. Federal Premium Hevi Bismuth
Federal is taking advantage of its partnership with Hevi-Shot to produce a line of Federal Premium Hevi Bismuth shells in 12- and 20-gauge that are suitable for waterfowling and upland hunting. All these loads use Federal’s FliteControl Flex wad and are available with 3, 4, and 5 shot. federalpremium.com
10. Remington Nitro-Steel Duplex
Remington offers waterfowl hunters a pair of 12-gauge Nitro-Steel Duplex loads, consisting of stacked steel pellets of different sizes. The 3-inch shells hold 1 1/4 ounces of shot and have a muzzle velocity of 1,450 fps. The first loads in the line are 2x4 and 2x6 blends. remington.com
11. Fiocchi Golden Waterfowl
Fiocchi’s premium steel load, Golden Waterfowl, comes in 3-inch 12-gauge and is loaded with plated steel pellets in every size from 4 through T. These loads have a muzzle velocity of 1,350 fps. fiocchiusa.com
12. Fiocchi Golden Goose
Fiocchi Golden Goose shotshells are some of the heaviest steel loads in the industry. The 3 1/2-inch 12-gauge shells contain 1 5/8 ounces of plated steel launched at 1,430 fps. They are offered in shot sizes 2 through T. fiocchiusa.com
13. Fiocchi Golden Waterfowl Bismuth
Fiocchi adds a 3-inch 28-gauge load to its Golden Waterfowl Bismuth lineup. The new shell contains Fiocchi’s 9.75 g/cc bismuth 4 shot. The Golden Waterfowl Bismuth line also includes a 3-inch 20-gauge load of 4 shot as well as 3-inch 12-gauge loads of 2, 4, or 6 shot. fiocchiusa.com
14. Remington Wingmaster HD 20-Gauge
Wingmaster HD, Remington’s own heavier-than-lead pellet, is now available in 20-gauge. With a density of 12 g/cc, these round, uniform pellets are denser than lead. The 20-gauge loads contain 1 1/8 ounces of 4 shot rated at 1,300 fps. remington.com
15. Epic Magnum Bismuth
Achieve maximum penetration with Epic's new "High Tensile Bismuth," available in 12-, 20-, and 28-gauge, as well as .410 bore. epicshotshell.com
16. Epic Shotshell "Speed Demon"
Magnum tungsten at a price that won't break the bank, available in 12- and 20-gauge. epicshotshell.com
