New Ammo of SHOT Show 2024

There are plenty of new cartridges, handgun loads, and shotshells being introduced at SHOT Show 2024. Staff writer Tyler Freel tracked down the new rifle and handgun ammunition that interested him, and executive editor Natalie Krebs rounded up notable new shotshells. Expect more additions to this list as we track them down.

New Rifle Ammo

Federal Fusion Tipped

Federal Fusion ammunition has been a great performer for years, offering a soft-point, bonded bullet that performs well on game and is less expensive than many premium lines of ammunition. This year, Federal is introducing its new Fusion Tipped line, which will bring a similarly-performing bonded bullet, only with a polymer tip designed to reduce drag and improve the ammo’s downrange ballistics and terminal performance by initiating expansion. This ammo will initially be offered in a variety of modern and classic calibers including .300 Blackout, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Winchester, .30/06, 7mm Rem. Mag., 7mm PRC, and .300 Win. Mag. Those offerings should range between $40 and $80 per box depending on caliber.

Hornady V-Match

Hornady has had several cool new bullets and calibers in the past few years, and for 2024, they’re launching the V-Match line of ammo in conjunction with their new .22 ARC cartridge. Varmint hunters have been using the V-Max bullet for decades, but the V-Match applies improved characteristics that are scrutinized to the level of the ELD-Match lineup. It uses bullets that are designed to be deadly on varmints and offer match-grade accuracy. Hornady is initially offering it in five different calibers, ranging from 62 grains to 100 grains. Calibers offered are .22 ARC, 6mm ARC, 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Grendel, and 6.5 Creedmoor.

Read Next: New Rifles of SHOT Show 2024

Remington Premier CuT

This year Remington is rolling out their line of lead-free premium hunting ammo, the Premier CuT, which stands for Copper Tipped. Not just a play on the periodic table, it features their premium components and a monolithic copper bullet that has a green polymer tip and two relief grooves. All-copper projectiles have come a long way, and bullets like this deliver great terminal performance and penetration with around 95 percent weight retention. Initial offerings are for nine chamberings, spanning 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 PRC, through .308 Win., 7mm-08, 7mm Rem. Mag.,  7mm PRC, and classics like the .270 Win. and .30/06. Eventually a .300 PRC offering is planned. 

Ammo Inc. Hunt Line

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We are always on the lookout for diamonds in the rough, and one of the new hunting ammunition lines that caught our eye at SHOT Show 2024 is from Ammo Inc., who’s most notable product of recent years has been their Streak pistol ammo — which has a tracer effect without the burning phosphorus. This year, they’re launching their Hunt line of ammo, which will include three different bullet styles. The Hunt LR will use SST and V-Max bullets, which are designed for hunting predators and medium-sized big game like deer. The Soft Point iteration will use Hornady Interlock bullets, and the Cu line will feature lead-free monolithic copper projectiles. There are still some details to be determined in the lines, and full details on calibers and specific bullet weights aren’t yet published. We always like to see more companies offering hunting ammo, especially after several years of shortages. We look forward to testing this stuff this year.

New Handgun Ammo

CCI Uppercut Defense

The market for defensive carry guns and ammunition has never been bigger, and the .22 LR holds a niche segment in that Arena. Federal began catering to those who use the .22 for defensive purposes with it’s Punch 22 ammo and now under the same umbrella, CCI is launching its Uppercut Defense ammo. This purpose-driven ammo features a 32-grain hollowpoint that’s optimized for small handguns, with a muzzle velocity of 950 fps. This round doesn’t bring much muzzle energy to the table, so it has to depend on good bullet performance and optimal penetration. This bullet, which resembles the long-time Stinger line, actually has a thicker copper jacket to prevent barrel leading without needing a coating of wax. That thicker jacket allows the bullet to peel back and expand in an ideal hollowpoint shape while reducing the risk of overpenetration. 

Read Next: Best New Handguns of SHOT Show 2024

Staccato 2011 Match 9mm

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Staccato 2011 has expanded its market reach tremendously since their rebranding from STI, and they’re now loading their own brand of high quality range and match 9mm ammo. Their match load features a 125-grain Hornady Action Pistol bullet, and has been developed for both excellent accuracy and optimal performance in 2011 pistols. This ammo is loaded by Staccato, right here in the USA, and they’re hanging their hat on it being a top performer for both accuracy and shootability.

Remington Core-Lokt Handgun

With handgun hunters in mind, Remington is launching their new Core-Lokt Handgun line this year, in 10mm Auto, .357 Mag., .41. Mag., and .44 Rem. Mag. At first glance, it doesn’t look much different than any other type of jacketed hollowpoint ammunition. In looks, it’s very similar to common defensive bullets., but instead leans into the classic Core-Lokt modus operandi of rapid expansion with good weight retention and penetration through a mechanically fastened core. Where defensive hollowpoints are designed for very specific penetration parameters, this line is designed specifically for hunters. It also features nickel-plated cases to aid smooth cycling in autos and easy ejection in heavy revolvers.

Freedom Munitions X-Def .44 Mag.

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We’ve become big fans of Freedom Munitions over the past year, having found their .223 ammunition, M1 Garand .30/06 loads, and others to be incredibly affordable and as accurate as some of the best premium match loads on the market. Just in time for SHOT show, they announced that they’re expanding their X-Def handgun ammo line to include .44 Magnum. This features a 240-grain X-Def jacketed hollowpoint that’s designed for uniform expansion and good penetration. It has a muzzle velocity of 1350 fps from a 6-inch barrel, and averaged 15 to 18 inches of penetration in ballistics gelatin. Look for this to be available in February in boxes of 50.

Hornady Critical Defense 5.7 x 28mm

Hornady’s newest addition to their handgun ammo lineup is in the 5.7 x 28mm cartridge — a niche chambering that now has a number of available pistols. This high-velocity, high-capacity, low-recoiling round will now be available in Hornady’s Critical Defense line, using their popular FTX flex-tip bullets. The flexible tip in these 40-grain slugs helps prevent clogging and aids uniform expansion. This should be a practical and effective round for those who have 5.7 x 28mm handguns and want to use them for defensive purposes.

New Shotgun Ammo

Federal Prairie Storm Bismuth Blend

Highlights

• Hevi bismuth pellets, blended with steel
• Gauge: 12 gauge (2¾- and 3-inch); 20-gauge
• Shot size: Available in No. 3 steel / No. 5 bismuth; No. 4 steel / No. 6 Bismuth 
• MSRP: $45-$48 per box of 25 (12 gauge); $42 per box of 25 (20 gauge)

Federal has taken its much-loved Prairie Storm shotshells, which are currently available in lead or steel, and added a stacked bismuth-steel load to the lineup. At $1.80 per shell (2 ¾ inch 12 gauge), Prairie Storm Bismuth Blend will appeal to bird hunters who need (or want) to shoot a denser non-toxic without paying full-bismuth prices. Hevi bismuth pellets account for 30 percent of the payload, with steel filling out the rest. 

Read Next: The Best Duck Loads, Range Tested and Reviewed

​​”That percentage of bismuth that we put in there had nothing to do with cost, it had to do with the pattern density,” says Scott Turner, a product line manager for Hevi-Shot. Even so, it’s a an appealing pricepoint that aligns with higher-end steel loads. “What we’re finding is certain areas where people have to use nontox for upland, they want something better than steel but they don’t want to have to pay full price for bismuth. So yes, the steel does help offset the cost.”

Federal Prairie Storm Bismuth will be available in six shot combinations and though it’s not shipping just yet, Federal expects it to be available in time for hunting season. The Minnesota-based company is also adding three new lead loads to the Prairie Storm line with a 2-3/4-inch magnum 12-gauge (1,330 fps) in shot size 4, 5, or 6.

Remington Nitro-Steel Duplex

Highlights

• Blended shot sizes, currently available in No. 2×6 and No. 2×4 options
• 3-inch 12-gauge
• Payload: 1¼ ounce
• Velocity: 1450 fps
• Green “stealth” hull for less reflection
• MSRP: $40 / box of 25

Remington originally introduced the Duplex load back in the 90s and now they’re bringing it back with the Nitro-Steel Duplex. At  $1.60 per shell, these loads are on the pricier side for steel, but in return you get two shot sizes in a single load that are designed for denser patterns and more pellets on target. Big Green also toned down its classic green hull to a dark olive drab to cut down on glare, which should appeal to even the nitpickiest duck hunters. Remington expects to add additional loads and shot sizes like BBx2 and BBx4 in the future.

Apex Mossy Oak Greenleaf Turkey TSS Blend

Highlights

• Adding a 28 gauge offering to the existing line of 20- and 12-gauge loads
• Payload: 1 1/2 oz TSS
• Shot size: No. 9 and No. 10s
• Velocity: 1060 fps
• MSRP: $58 / box of five

Apex Ammunition is expanding its line of Mossy Oak Greenleaf Turkey TSS Blend shotshells with a 28-gauge turkey load. Each 2 3/4-inch shotshell is handloaded with 665 pellets (1 ounce of 10 No. 10s and a half-ounce of No. 9s). As expected, that dense (18.6 cc/g) tungsten super shot doesn’t come cheap; a single shell costs $11.60. Although customers initially experienced sticker shock when Apex first started producing TSS loads in 2017, says president and CEO Jason Lonsberry, that has largely passed as hunters have come to value the performance behind the company’s pricing. The 28-gauge shells are not yet shipping but they’ll be available in plenty of time for turkey season.

Federal Freight Train Copper Slugs

Highlights

• All-new line of polymer-tip copper slugs
• Available in 12- or 20-gauge and 2 3/4- or 3-inch
• Velocity: 2000 fps
• Meets lead-free requirements
• MSRP: $22 to $25 / box of five

Although Federal is well aware that the market for slugs is shrinking as more states continue to allow straight-wall rifle cartridges, there’s still enough interest in the category that Federal is introducing these all-new Freight Train copper slugs. According to Federal the slugs produce 4-inch or tighter groups at 200 yards. The new sabot design includes a polymer tip and nose profile that should maximize downrange energy, while the nose cavity “provides drammatic expansion.” The 275-grain (20 gauge) and 300-grain (12 gauge) slugs are all copper and fulfill nontoxic requirements. It will be available in time for fall.