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January 26, 2026
By Barb Melloni
One of the obvious trends at the 2026 SHOT Show was the large amount of newly released hunting ammunition. From entirely new product lines to expansions of long-standing favorites, manufacturers showcased an impressive array of shotshells and rifle cartridges. This year, hunters will have more options than ever when they head afield.
Winchester Supreme Long Range Photo courtesy of Winchester Winchester’s Supreme Long Range hunting ammo is an all-new line of precision centerfire rifle ammunition that takes long-range shooting to the next level. Featuring BC Max bullets, which are purpose-built for hunting and targets at even the most extreme ranges, Supreme Long Range promises match-grade accuracy and terminal performance. The BC Max bullet utilizes innovative manufacturing techniques to produce heavy-for-caliber and highly accurate bullets. The bullet’s thick-walled jacket allows for controlled expansion, optimal weight retention and critical penetration. Paired with match-grade components, Supreme Long Range delivers consistent accuracy and terminal results that shooters and hunters can rely on.
Fiocchi Backwoods Hunter 160-Grain 7mm Rem Mag Photo courtesy of Fiocchi Ammunition Fiocchi's new Backwoods Hunter line of ammunition features a copper bullet designed for deep penetration, maximum transfer of energy, and controlled expansion, capable of taking down deer, wild hogs, and other similar-sized game. Regardless of distance, this round is designed to punch through thick hide and bone to ethically harvest game while doing so in a cleaner manner, reducing fouling and post-hunt cleaning efforts. Included in this new line are options in 7mm Rem Mag, .243 Win, .270 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08, .308 Win, 300 Win Mag and .30-06 Sprg.
Federal Subsonic Photo courtesy of Federal Premium With the influx of new suppressors available to consumers in 2026, Federal has released its new subsonic line of rifle ammunition, with options in .30-30 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 300 Blackout, .308 Win and .45-70 Govt. Their Fusion and Fusion Tipped bullets were redesigned to perform reliably at lower speeds, flying just below the sound barrier without sacrificing terminal performance. For more information, visit federalpremium.com.
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Federal Raptor Steel 12 Gauge Photo courtesy of Federal Premium Raptor Steel 12-gauge waterfowl loads are the result of a collaboration between Federal Ammunition and Rob Roberts Custom Gun Works, engineered specifically to deliver the tightest, most efficient patterns through Raptor Series chokes. In this lineup are three different shot sizes in both 12 gauge and 20 gauge. Federal designed these shells with a heavy shot payload to ensure dense, lethal patterns ideal for waterfowl hunting. For more information, visit federalpremium.com.
Remington Final Strut Photo courtesy of Remington Remington's new Final Strut line of tungsten-blended turkey shells features two new loadings in both 12 gauge and 20 gauge. The new options within this lineup include: two 3-inch, 12-gauge. 2-ounce loads in No. 6 or 7 shot, and two 3-inch, 20-gauge 1-1/4-ounce loads in No. 6 or 7 shot. Made with 12g/cc shot, these shells provide higher down-range energy and even denser patterns than traditional lead options. For more information, visit remington.com.
CCI Hunter 40-Grain .22LR Photo courtesy of CCI Ammunition Sure to be a favorite among small-game and varmint hunters is CCI's new product line, which is being released this year. A perfect pairing for suppressed rifles is their new subsonic 40-grain .22LR , with a supersonic version also available. These rounds are topped with their Small Game Bullets, flat-nose projectiles ideal for hunting rabbits and squirrels. Not only can they ethically harvest wild game, but they also do so without destroying the meat. For more information, visit cci-ammunition.com.
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Nosler Whitetail Country 150-grain .308 Win Photo courtesy of Nosler Nosler's .308 Win 150-grain Solid Base Whitetail Country is among four new additions to the Whitetail Country lineup. This round uses the brand's classic solid-base bullet and high-end components to ensure reliable accuracy and consistent expansion in the field. This round's boat-tail design helps maintain its velocity and stability at longer distances, while delivering maximum penetration upon impact. For more information, visit nosler.com.
Hornady 80-Grain 22 Creedmoor Photo courtesy of Hornady Hunters pursuing coyotes or similarly sized game will be excited to try Hornady's new 22 Creedmoor offering. New to their Precision Hutner lineup is an 80-grain loading utilizing their popular ELD-X projectiles. These bullets use Hornady's patented Heat Shield tip technology, combined with their overall design, to retain their shape and exhibit high BCs throughout their trajectories. This results in impressive terminal performance, dropping wild game in their tracks. For more information, visit hornady.com.
Fiocchi Field Dynamics Buckhammer 200-Grain SP 360 Buckhammer Photo courtesy of Fiocchi Ammunition Fiocchi's 360 Buckhammer Field Dynamics ammunition was created for hunters who need dependable performance in states with straight-wall cartridge restrictions. This load uses a 200-grain soft-point bullet providing controlled expansion and consistent penetration on medium-sized game. This new cartridge is made to run dependably in everything from modern sporting rifles to classic lever‑action guns. For more information, visit fiocchiusa.com.
Remington Premier Royal Flush Photo courtesy of Remington Remington’s Premier Royal Flush line of shotgun shells sees four new additions in the new year, including two 2-3/4-inch, 12-gauge, 1-1/4-ounce loads in No. 7.5 or 8 shot, and two 2-3/4-inch, 20-gauge 1-ounce loads in No. 7.5 or 8 shot. Premier Royal Flush delivers a top-tier shotshell option built for every kind of game bird, whether you're hunting in dense timber or open upland terrain. With new loads crafted specifically for grouse and quail, Premier Royal Flush is poised to give you a winning edge no matter which upland species you pursue. For more information, visit Remington.com.
Federal Premium Grand Slam Realtree 40th Anniversary Edition Photo courtesy of Federal Premium Federal Premium’s limited‑edition Grand Slam shotshells mark Realtree's 40th anniversary. These commemorative loads use the brand's patented FliteControl Flex Wad, delivering consistent, long-range patterns through both standard and ported turkey chokes. Included in this commemorative release are two Grand Slam lead loads and three Heavyweight TSS loads in a variety of loadings for both 12 and 20 gauge. For more information, visit federalpremium.com.
Winchester Long Beard Tungsten Ammunition Photo courtesy of Winchester Winchester has expanded its turkey hunting lineup with the introduction of Long Beard Tungsten . This premium shotshell series is designed to deliver tighter patterns, longer effective range, and impressive terminal performance and is available in 12, 20, and 28 gauges, and .410 bore. The loads feature a buffered payload for consistent shot flow, dense 17 g/cc tungsten for energy and penetration, and magnum payloads that place up to eight times more pellets on target than traditional lead options. Included in this lineup are multiple configurations across gauges, all engineered for extreme-distance effectiveness. This new offering builds on the success of Long Beard XR, continuing Winchester’s innovation in turkey ammunition and its conservation-focused packaging partnership with NWTF and Mossy Oak Original Bottomland. For more information, visit Winchester.com.
This year’s SHOT Show also highlighted a broader industry shift toward specialized, purpose-built ammunition. Manufacturers continue to improve upon cleaner-burning powders, higher ballistic coefficients and optimized terminal performance, reflecting the performance hunters rely on that is required across a wide range of environments.
Several companies noted that advancements in suppressor technology and the increasing popularity of straight-wall cartridges have pushed them to rethink long-standing product lines. As a result, hunters are seeing ammunition engineered not only for accuracy and lethality but also improved compatibility with today's rifles and shotguns. This year's new ammunition offerings demonstrate how quickly the ammunition market evolves, with brands investing heavily in research and development. Whether pursuing big game, predators or upland birds, hunters across the country can look forward to a year full of new options.
