There’s hardly enough space here to even mention all the new offerings coming from ammunition powerhouse Federal at SHOT Show 2025 in Las Vegas. However, suffice it to say its booth was not only one of the largest but also one of the most popular on the Venetian show floor.
The biggest news broke days in advance of the show with a zippy new rifle cartridge and innovative casings, but that’s not all. In fact, Federal is launching something for everyone.
Let’s take a quick look at what we found new and exciting in the booth.
7mm Backcountry & Peak Alloy Case Technology
This one is already becoming a polarizing launch. Some love it, and others have no interest in tossing aside centuries-old brass cartridges for anything new. Meanwhile, even more people are interested to see just where the technology may lead.
The innovation in question is a steel-alloy casing capable of supporting considerably higher pressures than traditional brass counterparts.
The headline grabber, and certainly one of SHOT’s buzziest products, is the first chambering to use the Peak Alloy casing: 7mm Backcountry. The .284-caliber round looks to capitalize on the wide range of bullet weights and types, with loads tailored to those hunters seeking shorter barrels, lighter weights, and often suppressed rifles without sacrificing the performance drop-off sometimes associated with each.
Multiple Federal ammunition lines and even more rifles will be immediately available in 7mm BC. That includes respected brand names like Gunwerks, Geissele Automatics, Seekins Precision, Savage Arms, Weatherby, and a good handful more.
Shotshell Bonanza
Falling in the shadows of the 7mm BC hullaballoo, but no less interesting or important, is Federal’s dedication to shotgunners. The new year of 2025 looks to be one for shotgun domination.
Federal announced 30 new shotshells and product line additions meant to target hunters, clay shooters, uplanders, and even self-defense. Here’s a quick overview of the expansive offerings found at SHOT.
Master Class: A brand-new line that will include six 2.75-inch 12-gauge selections. Master Class is built as a competition-level sporting clay load, packed with a customized Podium wad in a Federal straight-wall hull. The high-antimony lead shot partners with other internal gains aimed at breaking more clay targets.
Paper Shell Additions: A pair of new paper-hulled shotshells are debuting in 2025: Upland Paper and Gold Medal Paper. The former will include both 12- and 20-gauge selections that will all come in 2.75-inch shells. There’s no denying the nostalgia – and smell – of classic upland paper shotshells. They will pack either #4, #5, or #6 shot. Gold Medal Paper sees the addition of two new 20-gauge offerings in #7.5 and #8 shot. These high-end shells are loaded with “extra-high-antimony” lead shot and a one-piece Podium wad.
Hi-Bird Fiber Wad: Continuing with the move to more environmentally friendly loads, Federal’s Hi-Bird Fiber Wad contingent is growing with two more 12-gauge offerings. Both are 2.75-inch options with the choice of #4 or #6 shot size. Hi-Bird Fiber Wad becomes especially interesting and important on high-volume shoots. The cellulose-based, over-powder wad construction means less plastic is left in the field, and, as hunters, it’s crucial to remain mindful of our environmental impact.
HEVI-Bismuth: Speaking of specialty shots, bismuth continues to garner respect on the shotshell market. Federal’s partnership with HEVI-Shot means more specialty shot types under the Federal umbrella. HEVI-Bismuth is expanding to include seven 16-gauge and 28-gauge offerings. Shot sizes will be #3, #4, and #5, each sitting in the FliteControl Flex wad. Bismuth is instantly appealing because its metallic properties making it safer in older, classic shotguns. What’s more, we’re pleased to see not only 28 gauge getting some love but the overlooked 16 gauge as well.
Ultra Steel: There will be four new 10- and 12-gauge choices in 3.5-inch shells. Shot combinations will be BBB/#1, BB/#2, and #2/#4 blends of zinc-plated steel, each with the rear-opening FliteControl Flex wad. Waterfowlers will enjoy the new combinations, especially as more companies shift away from both 3.5-inch shells and 10 gauge in general.
Serious 28 Gauge: We’ve been waiting to see this sub-gauge boom hit factory production shotshells. What was once only available from Federal’s Custom Shop has now come to standard production. As interest in 28 gauge rapidly expands, Federal will now offer Heavyweight TSS in a pair of 28-gauge loads. There will be both 2.75-inch and 3-inch offerings, both packed with tungsten alloy #9 shot. As we’ve covered in the past, tungsten is considerably denser than lead. It offers increased pellet counts and more energy even at extended ranges.
Final Thoughts
There’s so much happening at Federal with the brand entering 2025 under The Kinetic Group’s oversight. TKG is itself a holding of the Czech-based CSG holdings company. At least so far, it appears to be business as usual.
Whether you’re a hunter or a sport shooter, you’re bound to find something of interest. The thing that attracts us most to Federal is that the company is not shifting to ultra-modern products at the expense of old-school performers.
The above list includes a nice blend of traditional products like paper hulls and often-overlooked 16- and 10-gauge loads, along with specialty shots in 28 gauge, and all-the-rage new 7mm Backcountry with Peak Alloy technology.
