Brand-New Ammo From Federal Premium & CCI
New Personal Defense, Waterfowl, Wild Turkey & Pest-Control Ammunition for 2024
At SHOT Show 2024, Federal Premium’s booth was rumbling with talk about new ammo offerings for hunting, personal defense, and sport shooting. Here’s a rundown of the latest and greatest from Federal Premium, along with a handful of new-and-hot rounds from CCI.
Federal Fusion TIPPED—Nine New Loads
The 2006 release of Federal’s Fusion line of hunting ammunition was driven by a desire to create a rifle cartridge that combined the best qualities of traditional hunting bullets with the advantages of modern projectile design. The result was a full line of ammunition featuring bonded bullets specifically engineered for deer hunting, offering excellent weight retention, expansion, and accuracy.
Starting in 2024, these time-tested, hunting loads will now see a new evolution with the addition of a polymer tip. The all-new Federal Fusion Tipped design offers the same great terminal performance as the original bonded, soft points but with a polymer tip that increases ballistic coefficient, flattens trajectories, and boosts energy for better accuracy and extended effective range.
One of the key features of polymer-tipped rifle ammunition is its ability to deliver enhanced ballistic performance. The streamlined design of the polymer tip reduces drag and improves the ballistic coefficient of the bullet, resulting in flatter trajectories, increased accuracy, and retained energy over longer distances. This feature is particularly advantageous for hunters and precision shooters who require consistent accuracy and reliable performance at extended ranges.
The all-new Fusion Tipped initial offerings will include 300 BLK 190-grain, 6.5 PRC 140-grain, 6.5 Creedmoor 140-grain, .270 Win. 150-grain, 7MM Rem. Mag. 175-grain, 7MM PRC 175-grain, 308 Win. 180-grain, 30-06 Sprg. 180-grain, and .300 Win. Mag. 180-grain. Its 20-count boxes range in price from $44.99 to $81.99.
Federal Premium Terminal Ascent Expands with 7MM PRC 170-GR, 300 PRC 210-Grain
Terminal Ascent remains Federal’s top-of-the-line hunting ammunition as it combines the performance of long-range precision with a hunting bullet. The bonded construction of Federal Premium Terminal Ascent penetrates deep on close targets, while the patented Slipstream polymer tip initiates expansion at extreme long-range targets too. The bullet’s long, sleek profile offers an extremely high ballistic coefficient, and its AccuChannel groove technology improves accuracy and minimizes drag. New for 2024, Terminal Ascent expands its PRC lines with 7mm PRC in 170-grain and .300 PRC in 210-grain.
Federal Premium ELD-X: NEW ADDITIONS—6.5 PRC 143-grain, 7MM PRC 175-Grain
Federal Premium ammunition loaded with ELD-X bullets delivers tag-filling terminal performance. The match-accurate, hard-hitting hunting projectile features an extremely high ballistic coefficient and a design that provides dynamic expansion at a wide range of velocities.
Federal Premium HammerDown Adds 360 Buckhammer 220-Grain
Velocities of Federal Premium HammerDown loads are customized to produce superior ballistics and terminal performance through lever-action rifle barrel lengths. The construction of the molecularly-bonded soft point bullets has also been adjusted for the best accuracy and expansion at those velocities.
Federal Personal Defense Hydra-Shok Deep .32 AUTO 68-Grain
These loads build off the time-tested original design from 1989 with improvements that better meet modern performance measurements. The bullet features a more robust center post and a core design that penetrates to optimal depths through the barriers most encountered in self-defense situations.
Federal Personal Defense Punch Adds .25 AUTO in 45-Grain
Punch draws from Federal Ammunition’s decades of experience designing the world’s finest defensive handgun loads. The bullet’s skived jacket and soft lead core produce excellent expansion and penetration, while its quality brass and sealed primer deliver reliable feeding and ignition.
Federal Champion Handgun—Three New Loads
Federal Champion handgun loads provide accurate, target-grade performance. They’re loaded with quality brass and primers and are affordably priced for volume shooters. The new product line additions are 30 Super Carry 90-grain, 32 H&R 95-grain, and 38 Special 130-grain.
Federal Premium Ultra Steel—New Line, Eight New Loads
Federal Premium Ultra Steel features the rear-opening FLITECONTROL FLEX wad with a payload of zinc-plated steel, producing extremely tight patterns for even deadlier performance. These 3-inch loads are available in a variety of standard payloads, as well as loads that feature two sizes of shot consisting of smaller pellets that create full patterns combined with larger ones that deliver better lethality.
Federal Premium Prairie Storm Bismuth Blend—New Line, Six Loads
These upland loads feature Prairie Storm’s FLITECONTROL FLEX wad and Premium steel shot, No. 3 or 4, with the added performance boost of HEVI-Bismuth™ pellets, No. 5 or 6, alloyed and cast in Sweet Home, Oregon. Available in six 12- or 20-gauge, and 2.75- or 3-inch offerings.
Federal Premium Freight Train Copper—New Line, Four Loads
This is an all-new lineup of tipped slugs in 12- or 20-gauge, and 2.75-or 3-inch. The load’s streamlined copper projectile and exclusive sabot design combine to print excellent groups at 200 yards through rifled barrels. A polymer tip and aerodynamic nose profile maximize downrange energy, while the externally skived nose cavity provides dramatic expansion.
Federal Premium Hi-Bird Bismuth—New Line, 12-Gauge No. 5 Fiber Wad
These shotshells feature the same cellulose over-powder wad technology as the original Hi-Bird Fiber Wad, but with a payload of 9.6 g/cc bismuth to meet nontoxic requirements. The pellets are 22 percent denser than steel, delivering more energy downrange, and the cellulose over-powder wad minimizes plastic left in the field.
Federal Action Shotgun—New Line 12-Gauge No. 7.5
Designed for fast-paced competitions, these loads feature a rigid roll crimp resulting in improved cycling through both tube- and magazine-fed shotguns. The 1-1/8-ounce payload of high-quality No. 7.5 lead pellets is pushed out the muzzle at 1,235 fps, delivering impressive knockdown power on steel targets. Available in convenient 200-round bulk cases.
Federal Premium Heavyweight TSS Turkey—New Addition, .410 Bore No. 7
The tungsten-alloy shot material’s 18 g/cc density is 56 percent more than lead, resulting in the highest pellet counts and the most energy at extreme range. Its rear-braking FLITECONTROL FLEX wad performs flawlessly through ported and standard turkey chokes for consistent, deadly patterns.
Federal Premium Prairie Storm FS Lead—Three New Additions
These trusted upland loads utilize the rear-opening FLITECONTROL FLEX wad and a mixed payload of standard pellets and FLITESTOPPER® lead to produce full, consistent patterns through any choke. The new product line additions are 12-gauge, 2-3/4-inch Magnum, 1,330 fps in shot size 4, 5, or 6.
Federal Premium Personal Defense Shotshell—New 20-Gauge 2B FLITECONTROL
Federal Premium buckshot loads featuring the rear-braking FLITECONTROL wad provide superior patterns to better protect you and your family. Their specialized payloads produce penetration fine-tuned to the needs of self-defense situations.
Gold Medal Paper—New Additions: FITASC 12-Gauge No. 7.5 & 8
These paper shotshells feature a 28-gram payload that’s optimized for international FITASC competition. Like all Gold Medal Grand Paper loads, they feature a high-quality brass head, harder shot, and two-piece SoftCell wad design that reduces felt recoil and improves patterns.
Range Bags, Shell Pouches & Shotgun Cases—Premium, Field & Range & Top Gun
Designed by hunters and shooters for the range, field, and blind, Federal’s new accessories include a full line of gun cases, shell pouches, and range bags. Built for convenience, protection, and accessibility, there are several styles available in each product category to fulfill various needs and price points.
For more information on Federal’s latest ammo introductions, please visit federalpremium.com.
Three New Loads From CCI
CCI UPPERCUT DEFENSE
When we think of a defensive round, .22 LR is about the last caliber we would consider. The truth is, .22s are widely carried for self-defense every day simply because they are far easier to conceal and can often be slipped into a pocket rather than requiring pants with a belt and holster. While no .22 round has the terminal ballistics to pass most law enforcement standards, it still holds true that a .22 on your person beats a .44 magnum that you left at home on your nightstand all day long.
Recognizing this fact, CCI, the historic industry leader in rimfire ammunition, set out to create the best possible self-defense round it could for a .22. The result is the new Uppercut™ Defense line. Uppercut’s 32-grain jacketed, hollow point bullet features nose skiving. Nose skiving on the bullet ensures petals peel back for uniform and consistent expansion. The load’s velocity is optimized for performance through 2.5- to 4-inch handgun barrels while retaining the weight needed to hit critical penetration depths.
It achieves a remarkable 8-10 inches of penetration in ballistics gel without separation of the six bullet petals. Most .22 rounds have to be coated in wax to protect the barrel from lead build-up. The copper jacket is six-thousandths of an inch thick and makes the wax coating unnecessary, greatly reducing fouling. Plus, CCI’s legendary priming ensures it will always be ready when needed. While no one is touting the .22 LR as a premium self-defense round, if you are carrying a .22, you won’t find a better, more purpose-built round.
CCI HEVI-Bismuth Pest Control Shotshell
Shotshells for handguns are nothing new. Often referred to as “snake shot” for obvious reasons, they are an ideal solution for pest control in many situations. For example, farms where large numbers of pigs, chickens, or other fowl are raised often have problems with mice and rats due to the abundant readiness of loose feed. However, these farmers cannot use traditional shotshells to control the population because the shot is typically made of lead. If chickens or other animals consume the spent shot, they could contaminate the meat with lead.
The solution? CCI is releasing shotshells in HEVI-Bismuth, a lead-free substitute along with Catalyst™, a lead-free primer. At 9.6 g/cc, the shot carries nearly the same density and downrange energy of lead but adheres to all non-toxic ammunition requirements. Available in 9mm Luger, 38/357 Mag., 40 S&W, 44 Spl/Rem Mag., 45 Auto, and .45 Colt.
CCI Pest Control Shotshell—New 10MM AUTO 105-Grain No. 9
CCI has offered traditional shotshells in a half dozen different calibers for some time. Many hunters, hikers, and campers today have gone to 10mm as their chosen anti-bear gun when walking in the woods. While everyone recognizes the benefit of hard-cast bullets for use against an angry bear, that load is not ideal for shooting at a poisonous snake. To prevent the need to carry a second gun for snakes, CCI is introducing shotshells in 10mm. The load produces consistent patterns that make it easier to knock down nasty critters in tight quarters. Packed in reusable boxes of 10 shotshells, these make light insurance against fanged reptiles.
For more on CCI’s latest ammunition offerings, please visit https://www.cci-ammunition.com/