Chris Christian dug through piles of press materials from ammunition companies to produce this comprehensive guide to the newest and best bullets this year. Give it a read and see what you should be shooting this year.
No matter what your customers shoot, or where and how they do it, there is something for everyone in this year's crop of new loads. Riflemen will see a new .338-caliber
proprietary cartridge from Federal, along with the addition of more Barnes X-Bullets to existing product lines. Winchester will unveil a new premium game bullet in a new product brand, while Cor-Bon announces its new premium big-game rifle line. Lever-gun aficionados will be excited about Hornady's new Lever Evolution loads.
On the handgun side, Freedom Arms is introducing a
proprietary .50-caliber hunting round, while Federal adds two new bullets to its handgun product lines. Hornady brings out what may be the flattest-shooting load for
the .500 S&W, and for those who favor the 9mm for self-defense, Buffalo Bore adds +P+ loadings.
Shotgunners will see several new Federal loads in its turkey, waterfowl, buckshot and clay-target products, while Remington adds to the Managed-Recoil shotshell line. A new SST 20-gauge-slug load from Hornady promises to be one of the fastest available.
Here's a longer look at what you'll want on your shelves this year.
Buffalo Bore
Fans of the .45/70 will want to check out Buffalo Bore's new Heavy .47/70 Govt. load. The 300-grain jacketed hollow nose (JHN) leaves the 22-inch barrel of a Marlin 1895 rifle at 2,360 fps, and the company says the load can be used safely in any .45/70 rifle or handgun built for smokeless powder, with the exception of Trap Door replicas.
The new "Lower Recoil" .44 Magnum is a re-creation of the classic Elmer Keith load. A hard-cast, gas-checked, 255-grain Keith-style semi-wadcutter leaves a four-inch barrel at 1,250 fps. Pressure levels are well under SAAMI specs, making it ideal for compact .44s, while still producing excellent penetration in game animals.
Although best known for heavy-caliber loads, Buffalo Bore will become the only company to release +P+ 9mm loads to the general public. Using the Speer Gold Dot bullet, and shot from a four-inch barrel Glock Model 19, the load yields the following velocities: 1,390 fps with 115 grains, 1,295 fps with 124 grains and 1,165 fps with 147 grains. Those looking to boost the power of their .40 S&Ws will also find +P loads (Speer Gold Dot bullet) in 155 and 180 grains. Both calibers are loaded with flash-retarded powder to reduce muzzle flash in low light. (208-756-8085; buffalobore.com)
We require
all participants in interactive areas to accept the terms of the Bonnier Corporation subscriber agreement. Please
read the agreement
before making comments. When you click on the button above to submit your comments, you are indicating your acceptance of and
are agreeing to adhere to the terms of the subscriber agreement.
RELATED ARTICLES
