Fusion Tipped
New for 2024 from the ammunition powerhouse comes one for the hunters. The Fusion family of affordable soft point ammo has long been an accessible offering, but now it gets an upgrade. The addition of polymer tip greatly improves the rounds ballistic coefficient (BC). The copper jacket is electro-chemically bonded to the core, while the polymer tip partners with a skived nose cavity for uniform, consistent, and lethal expansion.
The goal is deep penetration and maximum weight retention, and of course, none of that means much without impressive accuracy. The new Tipped lineup shifts to heavier-for-class projectile weights. It’s all about flattening trajectories and expanding effective ranges. Nine chamberings are being cataloged at the launch, with retail prices start at $44.99 per 20 rounds.
- 6.5 Creedmoor 140-grain Tipped Fusion
- 6.5 PRC 140-grain Tipped Fusion
- .270 Winchester 150-grain Tipped Fusion
- .308 Winchester 180-grain Tipped Fusion
- 30-06 Springfield 180-grain Tipped Fusion
- .300 Blackout 190-grain Tipped Fusion
- 7mm Rem Mag 175-grain Tipped Fusion
- 7mm PRC 175-grain Tipped Fusion
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.300 Win Mag 180-grain Tipped Fusion
Prairie Storm Bismuth Blend
Wish you could capitalize on unique shot types like bismuth but unwilling to drop that kind of cash on shotshells? Check out Federal’s latest Prairie Storm Bismuth Blend. Specialty shots like bismuth can get quite pricey, so Federal offers a partial blend of bismuth with premium steel packed into the company’s FliteControl Flex wad for longer range and more uniform patterns.
Related: The Bismuth Business – Hunting with Bismuth Shotshells
With the 30-percent bismuth payload, the rounds meet non-toxic ammunition requirements. Prairie Storm Bismuth Blend is launching in six load options with 25-round boxes retailing from $41.99 to $47.99.
- 12-gauge / 2.75” / #3 Steel & #5 Bismuth / 1.125 oz
- 12-gauge / 2.75” / #4 Steel & #6 Bismuth / 1.125 oz
- 12-gauge / 3” / #3 Steel & #5 Bismuth / 1.25 oz
- 12-gauge / 3” / #4 Steel & #6 Bismuth / 1.25 oz
- 20-gauge / 3” / #3 Steel & #5 Bismuth / 1 oz
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20-gauge / 3” / #4 Steel & #6 Bismuth / 1 oz
Hi-Bird Fiber Wad & Hi-Bird Bismuth Fiber Wad
The move to more environmentally friendly ammunition cannot be denied, so it’s nice to see Federal making advancements in the shotshell department. The new Hi-Bird duo is built around the company’s eco-friendly shot wad. Hi-Bird Fiber Wad is launching in 12 gauge with lead shot packed inside a fiber over-powder wad with cellulose-based filler material.
With a velocity of 1,330 FPS, the initial #5 shot load with 1.25 ounces of lead is sure to be a buster on birds, all while leaving no trace. Hi-Bird Fiber Wad ships in 25-round boxes and retails for $25.99.
Related: Upland Ammo to Bag Birds in 2024
With all the emphasis on the benefits of bismuth specialty shot, it’s no surprise to see that shot make its way here, too. Hi-Bird Bismuth Fiber Wad touts a similar 12-gauge shotshell, this time filled with 1.25 ounces of 9.6 g/cc bismuth and the same eco-friendly wad. The latter ships in 25-round boxes, though we see the significantly higher cost of bismuth with an MSRP of $73.99.
- 12-gauge / 2.75” / #5 lead shot / 1.25 oz / 1,330 FPS
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12-gauge / 2.75” / #5 bismuth shot / 1.25 oz
Ultra Steel
The emphasis on hunting shotshells is heavy this year, and we’re certainly not disappointed about that. Ultra Steel is purpose-made for waterfowlers, though the wide range of loads opens possibilities for even more game. The loads are packed with zinc-plated steel in Federal’s rear-opening FliteControl Flex wads for the tightest possible patterns.
Of note, many of the Ultra Steel loads pair two different shot sizes, with smaller pellets for fuller patterns and larger sizes for harder-hitting lethality. The new Ultra Steel is shipping in five 12-gauge loads, all 3-inch; along with a trio of 3-inch 20-gauge offerings. Retail prices span $36.99 to $40.99.
- 12-gauge / 3” / BB / 1.25 oz / 1,450 FPS
- 12-gauge / 3” / BB & #2 Shot / 1.25 oz / 1,450 FPS
- 12-gauge / 3” / #2 Shot / 1.25 oz / 1,450 FPS
- 12-gauge / 3” / #2 & #4 Shot blend / 1.25 oz / 1,450 FPS
- 12-gauge / 3” / #3 & #5 Shot blend / 1.25 oz / 1,450 FPS
- 20-gauge / 3” / #2 Shot / 1 oz / 1,400 FPS
- 20-gauge / 3” / #2 & #4 Shot blend / 1 oz / 1,400 FPS
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20-gauge / 3” / #3 & #5 Shot blend / 1 oz / 1,400 FPS
Freight Train Copper Tipped Slug
In the world of faster, flatter, and further in hunting, Federal ensures slug hunters are not left out in the cold. The name is a winner, as slugs are indeed known to hit like said locomotive. The Freight Train Copper Tipped Slug joins the company’s existing lines of sabot slugs in both 12- and 20-gauge.
The newbies will be shipping in both 12 and 20, with the former packing 300 grains to the latter’s 275 grains. They’re defined by a streamlined copper projectile in a new sabot style that partner to put out what Federal advertises as “excellent groups at 200 yards through rifled barrels.” What exactly defines “excellent,” we’ve yet to discover in person, but rumor has it that in-house testing revealed 4-inch groups at two football fields.
Slug hunters will recognize how impressive that is, and with that polymer tip, aerodynamic profile, and externally skived nose cavity, these rounds are built to perform. As an added bonus, the loads are allowable in lead-free hunting areas. Freight Train comes in five-round boxes with MSRP from $21.99 to $24.99.
- 12-gauge / 2.75” / 300-grain
- 12-gauge / 3” / 300-grain / 2,000 FPS
- 20-gauge / 2.75” / 275-grain
- 20-gauge / 3” / 275-grain
Action Shotgun
It’s not just hunting. Federal has one for you too, 3-Gunners. The shotshells feature a roll crimp for rigidity in tube- and magazine-fed competition shotguns where speed-loading is the norm. The plate steel head aims for the most reliable feeding and extraction.
Meanwhile, the 1,235 FPS muzzle velocity balances lower recoil with more than adequate power and precision. Competition shooting is all about volume, so naturally, Action Shotgun loads sell in larger quantities, with a 200-round case retailing at $169.99.
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12-gauge / 2.75” / #7.5 Lead shot / 1.125 oz / 1,235 FPS
Additions
That’s a whole lot of fresh ammunition families, but Federal is touting even more additions to its proven existing lineups. The long-range-friendly Terminal Ascent centerfire rifle product adds PRC chamberings, as does the company’s ELD-X rifle line. The Federal and Henry Repeating Arms partnership in HammerDown lever-action-friendly ammunition gets the not-unexpected addition of 360 Buckhammer.
On the self-defense front, Federal’s Personal Defense Punch see a fresh chambering with .25 Auto, while Hydra Shok Deep gets .32 Auto. The LE-friendly BallistiClean line can now be had in a 9mm frangible, non-toxic RHT load that’s an ideal training round with a copper-plated primer.
There’s even some scattergun Personal Defense in the mix with a 20-gauge load of copper-plated, buffered #2 buckshot. Turkey hunters will appreciate multiple new offerings in the Heavyweight TSS tungsten catalog. Lastly, shooters seeking the best bang for the buck will be pleased to learn of add-ons to the Champion Value Pack rimfire and handgun lines.
