Ammo 2024
When manufacturers up their game, everyone benefits.
By Brad Fitzpatrick
The last three-and-a-half years have been a rollercoaster for the ammunition industry. When the pandemic struck and ammo supplies dwindled, manufacturers were faced with backlogged orders of existing products; as a result, many companies began turning out ammunition around the clock. This sudden spike in demand caused many brands to pause development for new products, but now that the market has corrected itself manufacturers are once again rolling out new products.
There are a couple of new rifle loads headlining this year’s show, including Hornady’s outstanding 22 ARC ammunition, the offspring of the company’s successful 6mm ARC cartridge. Winchester’s 400 Legend is not “new” (it was introduced last year), but we’re seeing more loads available and many rifles chambered in this versatile straight-wall cartridge. The 7mm PRC is also making a major splash, and many manufacturers are now offering at least one new PRC load.
There are a variety of new shotshell loads on display in Vegas this year, everything from high-speed steel shot to blended tungsten loads. There’s certainly a growing market for non-toxic shells with biodegradable wads, but perhaps the most pronounced trend you’ll see in shotgun ammunition this year is the development of three-inch 28-gauge loads for hunting upland game, waterfowl, and turkeys.
There are, of course, lots of new long-range and concealed-carry loads, and it’s clear that demand for these items hasn’t slackened. It’s good to see something of a return to normalcy after a rough three years, and it’s exciting to see new products pumped out by R&D teams that are itching to see their innovative products arrive on the market. Of course, the best place to see those new items is the annual NSSF SHOT Show, so here’s a preview of what’s new for ammo in 2024.
Apex Ammunition
Apex is launching a new Mossy Oak Greenleaf 28-gauge blended TSS load designed with turkey hunters in mind. But unlike most other new 28-gauge turkey loads this year, this one measures 2¾ inches and will work in most all 28-gauge guns, even those without 3-inch chambers. The Apex load, however, is no slouch; it delivers an unbelievable 1½ ounces of blended No. 9 and No. 10 TSS shot, which translates to 665 ultra-dense pellets heading toward the target. Patterns are very tight thanks to Apex’s Tungsten Propulsion Wad, which also protects the barrel. (apexmunition.com)
Browning
Browning is adding two new 28 Nosler loads this year in their popular big-game hunting lines of ammunition. MaxPoint 28 Nosler ammunition fires a 140-grain bullet with a large polymer nose that improves ballistic coefficients while initiating expansion, making it a great choice for a wide variety of game. There’s also a new 28 Nosler Browning Silver Series load with a 175-grain lead soft-point bullet that will be a versatile and affordable offering for anyone who shoots the popular 28 Nosler. (browning.com)
CCI
Perhaps the biggest launch from CCI this year is their new Uppercut self-defense .22 LR ammunition. Although people may debate the merits of the .22 LR as a self-defense cartridge, there are still many who carry rimfires, and CCI has set out to offer them the best possible personal protection option with this load. The 32-grain hollow point bullet features skiving to initiate expansion. CCI claims that this bullet expands reliably down to 900 feet per second, and it achieves a muzzle velocity of 950 feet per second (fps) from a 2-inch barrel. Uppercut ammunition features unwaxed bullets and reliable CCI priming and powder for consistent, reliable performance.
CCI has also released new shotshell pest-control loads for centerfire handguns, including their first-ever 10mm Auto shotshell that fires No. 9 shot and is sold in 10-round trays. Also new to the lineup is CCI HEVI-Bismuth pest-control shotshell ammunition for 9mm pistols, which fires a payload of either No. 8 or No. 11 bismuth non-toxic shot and is legal in areas where lead is banned. Lastly, CCI Blazer is introducing a new 100-grain low-recoil 9mm Luger load that’s perfect for new or recoil-sensitive shooters. These FMJ practice loads will be sold in 100-round trays for convenient transport to the range. (cci-ammunition.com)
Federal Premium
This year Federal Premium is releasing over a dozen new products, including their Fusion Tipped hunting ammunition. For years customers have been asking Federal to offer a tipped version of the molecularly bonded Fusion bullet to improve ballistic performance; the company listened and is now launching eight new Fusion Tipped ammo offerings in popular calibers ranging from 6.5 Creedmoor to .300 Winchester Magnum, including a new 7mm PRC 175-grain load. The fused jacket and core allow these bullets to retain an average of 94 percent of their original weight, and the new streamlined profile increases ballistic coefficients and improves energy retention and ballistic performance. Fusion Tipped ammunition can be easily identified by its signature orange polymer tip. Also new is Federal’s Hammer Down 360 Buckhammer load. The 360 Buckhammer is a rimmed cartridge designed for use in lever-action rifles in states that require straight-wall cartridges for big-game hunting. The new Hammer Down 360 Buckhammer load pushes a 220-grain .358-inch Fusion bullet at an initial velocity of 2,400 fps, making it a suitable 200-yard deer hunting load with moderate recoil and ballistics that mimic those of the .30-30 Winchester.
Federal is expanding the Terminal Ascent line of hunting ammunition this year by adding new 6.5 PRC (140-grain), 7mm PRC (155- and 170-grain) and .300 PRC (210-grain) offerings, all of which will make excellent hunting loads for a variety of game thanks to the bullet’s durable bonded design (it is a modern take on Jack Carter’s Original Trophy Bonded Bear Claw bullet) and streamlined high BC profile with Slipstream polymer tip. Also new this year is a 175-grain 7mm PRC option in Federal’s ELD-X line of ammunition.
On the shotshell side of the market Federal has announced the release of the Freight Train Copper Tipped family of sabot slugs. The tipped slug is designed to be extremely accurate for big-game hunters. Skiving in the nose ensures reliable expansion for maximum energy transfer; 2¾- and 3-inch versions are available in both 12 and 20 gauge, and velocities range from 1,700 to 1,900 fps. Federal is also offering a 20-gauge personal defense 2¾-inch copper-plated buckshot load that fires 10 No. 2 plated, buffered buckshot pellets at a velocity of 1,325 fps for ample threat-stopping power. Competitive shooters will also have a new shotshell option with the release of Federal’s new Action Shotshell 2¾-inch 12-gauge load. The leading edge of this roll-crimped shotshell’s hull has been tapered so it feeds smoothly, and the plated steel shell head will reliably cycle every time. New this year for upland hunters is Federal Premium Prairie Storm Bismuth Blend, a combination of 30 percent 9.6g/cc HEVI-Bismuth shot and 70 percent premium steel. The resulting non-toxic load is safe in classic and modern shotguns and produces excellent patterns and improved terminal performance over all steel non-toxic loads. Federal’s existing Prairie Storm family of shotshell ammunition is growing with the addition of a new 3-inch 28-gauge one-ounce load with No. 6 shot and three new 12-gauge 2¾-inch loads with 1¼-ounces of Nos. 4, 5, or 6 lead shot. Prairie Storm ammunition blends 70 percent copper-plated lead and 30 percent FLITESTOPPER lead pellets for outstanding terminal performance, and all feature FLITECONTROL FLEX wads. Muzzle velocities for these three new loads are 1,330 fps, slightly lower than the standard 1,500 fps for Prairie Storm loads, and that means less perceived recoil. Also new is a 12-gauge 2¾-inch Hi-Bird fiber wad load that combines a payload of 9.64 g/cc non-toxic bismuth shot with a biodegradable wad. Also new from Federal Premium is a HEAVYWEIGHT TSS .410 3-inch turkey load that drives 13/16ths ounce of high-density No. 7 TSS from the muzzle at 1,100 fps, turning the .410 into an efficient gobbler gun. Competitive clay target shooters will have the option to purchase Federal’s new Gold Medal FITASC 12-gauge shotshells with either No. 7.5 or No. 8 shot. These shotshells are designed to be effective at ranges of 40 to 70 yards, and the two-piece SoftCell wad helps reduce felt recoil.
Federal is offering a number of new handgun loads this year, including Punch .25 Auto. Designed to allow for sufficient penetration from the mild .25 Auto cartridge, Punch ammo utilizes a nickel-plated TMJ non-expanding projectile that ensures sufficient threat-stopping penetration. Fans of the .32 Auto will be thrilled to hear that there is a new 68-grain Hydra-Shok Deep load for that round that improves the performance of the .32 and makes it a more effective self-defense cartridge.
There are new line extensions to the Federal Champion line of full metal jacket target ammunition this year, including 90-grain 30 Super Carry, 130-grain .38 Special, and 95-grain .380 Auto, all of which will make excellent target and practice loads. Also new from federal this year are Value Packs of 36-grain lead hollow point .22 Long Rifle ammunition in either 325- or 525-count boxes. (federalpremium.com)
HEVI-Shot
HEVI-Shot launched new .410 HEVI-XII loads this year with a choice of either No. 5 or No. 7 HEVI-Shot at a muzzle velocity of 1,450 fps. Both new 3-inch .410 loads hold ½ ounce of HEVI-XII, which is 53.8 percent denser than steel, allowing hunters to drop down three pellet sizes while retaining the same per-pellet energy. Dropping pellet sizes also increases pellet count by 28 percent, making this one of the most potent non-toxic .410 loads ever developed. Also new from HEVI-Shot is a 12-gauge, 3-inch version of the HEVI-Xtreme non-toxic shotshell with a blend of 30 percent No. 2 tungsten and 70 percent BB steel. This stacked load offers the best combination of lethality and value, and it utilizes the revolutionary FLITECONTROL FLEX wad developed by Federal for consistent performance and even patterns at various ranges. Also new is HEVI-Steel Upland, an ideal load for clay target shooting and dove hunting in areas where non-toxic shot is mandatory. With HEVI-Shot’s consistent propellants and quality components, this is an excellent option for hunters and shooters who are seeking a non-toxic load that is reasonably priced. (hevishot.com)
Hornady
2024 marks Hornady’s 75th year in business, and as part of that celebration the company is rolling out several new products at SHOT Show. The company’s headline product is the new 22 ARC (Advanced Rifle Cartridge), a .22-caliber centerfire load that offers .22-250-level performance in a rifle cartridge that performs flawlessly in AR-15 rifles. With an overall length of 2.260 inches, the 22 ARC is designed for heavy-for-caliber high-BC bullets and fast 1:7 twist barrels. It also makes an exceptional small-game, varmint, and predator round and works well in precision bolt-action rifles. Three new load offerings are available: a 62-grain ELD-VT V-Match, 80-grain ELD Match, and 75-grain ELD Match Black. This cartridge will certainly draw the attention of hunters, but it will also attract long-range shooters who want the 22 ARC’s combination of superb ballistic performance and low recoil.
Also new this year from Hornady is the new Extremely Low Drag-Varmint/Target (ELD-VT) bullet, which will be an option for the 22 ARC. ELD-VT bullets feature streamlined profiles and Hornady Heat Shield tips that ride over top a hollow nose cavity in the bullet. Upon impact, the AMP jacket expands rapidly and sheds energy effectively. ELD-VT bullets are available in .224 (62 grains), .243 (80 grains), .264 (100 grains), and .308 (174 grains). ELD-VT bullets will also be available in Hornady’s new V-match ammunition line that includes a 62-grain 22 ARC load, 6mm ARC and 6mm Creedmoor 80-grain loads, and 6.5 Grendel and 6.5 Creedmoor 100-grain loads. All of these will make excellent long-range target loads as well as varmint and predator hunting rounds.
Lastly, Hornady is now offering 5.7x28 ammunition in the Critical Defense and Black lines. The Critical Defense load will use 40-grain FTX bullets while the Black load will come with 40-grain V-Max bullets. (hornady.com)
Nosler
This year Nosler isn’t offering any brand-new bullets, but at the request of customers they are adding some line extensions to their rifle ammunition lines. There are a few new Ballistic Tip offerings including a 140-grain 6.5x55 Swedish and a 165-grain .300 Winchester Short Magnum. There’s also a new 70-grain .243 Winchester Ballistic Tip Varmint load. Ballistic Tip bullets are designed to be aerodynamic and offer high ballistic coefficients that translate to excellent accuracy. A polymer tip enhances the bullet’s streamlined profile and initiates expansion even at relatively low velocities, which is excellent for long-range hunting. Upon impact the Ballistic Tip bullet sheds energy effectively, resulting in superb terminal performance. (nolser.com)
Remington
Perhaps the biggest news from Remington this year is the release of their new CuT copper-tipped bullet. Because it’s lead-free, this monolithic bullet is legal for hunting in areas that require non-toxic ammunition, and the streamlined profile and signature green polymer tip give CuT a streamlined profile and make it suitable for long-range hunting. The monometal design ensures high weight retention (around 95 percent) and deep penetration. Nine popular calibers are being offered initially, including 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm Remington Magnum, .30-06, .308 Winchester, and both the 6.5mm and 7mm PRCs. Remington is also expanding their Core-Lokt Copper family of lead-free hunting bullets with the addition of a 360 Buckhammer offering. This 160-grain copper bullet has a muzzle velocity of 2,400 fps, and retained weight should be excellent thanks to the monometal design. The Core-Lokt Tipped family is also growing and now includes 140-grain 7mm-08 and 6.5 PRC offerings, a 180-grain Buckhammer load, a 175-grain 7mm PRC offering, and a powerhouse 210-grain .300 PRC option. Remington also is offering a new leadless UMC 55-grain .223 Remington load. This round features a jacketed powder-metal core bullet and a lead-free primer. Muzzleloader hunters will be happy to hear that Remington is adding a new 260-grain .50-caliber Premier AccuTip MZ muzzleloader bullet to their lineup. The Point Port tip, spiral nose cuts, and bonded construction make the Premier AccuTip MZ a deadly accurate bullet that shoots well in a variety of muzzleloaders and retains nearly 100 percent of its original weight at 100 yards. It’s also easier to load than competing muzzleloader bullets.
There are a variety of new shotshell loads available from Remington this year as well, including Nitro-Steel DUPLEX, a bladed steel load that comes with a combination of No. 2/No. 4, No. 2/No. 6, BB/No. 2, and BB/No. 4 shot. These blended non-toxic loads are affordable and versatile, and with a muzzle velocity of 1,450 fps they are deadly on waterfowl and upland birds. Remington is also offering a new Nitro Pigeon load that is engineered specifically for pigeon hunters. This 2¾-inch 12-gauge ammunition pushes 1¼ ounces of No. 7½ 2-percent antimony shot at a velocity of 1,230 fps, which makes it lethal even on large, hard-flying birds. It also comes with a Remington RXP wad, STS unibody construction, a premier STS primer, and custom-blended propellant. One of the most interesting new loads on display at the 2024 SHOT Show is Remington’s low-decibel .410 load. Pushing a ½-ounce payload of No. 9 shot at just 550 fps, this subsonic load is perfect for low-recoil practice sessions, and it’s also an ideal pest load that will quickly and quietly dispatch snakes and other vermin around your home with authority. Competition clay shooters will want to check out the new 1-ounce 12-gauge Nitro Sporting Clays load at 1,290 fps. These high-quality competition shells feature solid brass caps, STS primers, custom propellants, TGT Power Piston Wads, and extra hard STS shot.
Remington’s brand-new Core-Lokt handgun loads are exciting news for anyone who hunts game with a revolver or pistol. Initial offerings include a .357 Magnum 180-grain load, .41 Remington Magnum 210-grain load, a 240-grain .44 Remington Magnum load, and a 200-grain 10mm Auto. All these loads will feature Core-Lokt JHP bullets and high-quality nickel-plated cases, making them an attractive option for hunters. New to the High Terminal performance line of ammunition is the HTP .32 H&R Magnum load that fires an 85-grain JHP bullet at a muzzle velocity of 1,120 fps, making this a suitable self-defense round for .32 H&R magnum revolvers and a great low-recoil personal-protection load for .327 Federal revolvers. But the HTP load is not the only new .32 H&R Magnum offering from Remington this year. The new Performance Wheelgun .32 H&R Magnum load fires a 95-grain semi-wadcutter hollow point bullet at 1,020 fps, making it a great all-round .32 H&R option for small-game hunting, defense, and target shooting. Lastly, Remington UMC is offering a new 100-grain jacketed lead-free powdered metal core 9mm training load that is suitable for training or shooting in areas where lead is banned. (remington.com)
Winchester
The biggest news from Winchester is likely expanded 400 Legend ammunition offerings. The 400 Legend cartridge was released at SHOT 2023 and drew major interest from hunters in straight-wall-only states because it offered better ballistics than the 350 Legend and less recoil than the .45-70 or .450 Bushmaster. The first 400 Legend ammunition offering was Winchester’s 210-grain Power Point load that was on sale during the 2023 fall hunting season, but at SHOT Show the company is unveiling two new 400 Legend loads. The new Deer Season XP 400 Legend fires a 190-grain Extreme Point bullet and is the flattest shooting of the 400 Legend offerings. There’s also a new 300-grain Open Tip Range Super Suppressed load available this year for the 400 Legend as well. In addition to the new 400 Legend offerings, Winchester is also adding three new 3-inch 28-gauge loads, including a Winchester Bismuth load that pushes one ounce of non-toxic shot around 1,300 fps. Other 3-inch 28-gauge loads include a Super Pheasant option that fires 1 1/8-ounce payloads at 1,200 fps and an Xpert High Velocity Steel load that carries ¾-ounce of steel shot and has a muzzle velocity of 1,350 fps. Also new to the Xpert family of steel shot is a High Velocity Game & Target load with a muzzle velocity of 1,450 fps for the 1-ounce 12-gauge load and a Super-X High Velocity lead load. The Super-X High Velocity 2¾-inch 12-gauge load has a velocity of 1,450 fps with a 1¼-ounce payload, making it a great all-round option for upland birds and small game. (winchester.com)
