Skip to main content

New Winchester Loads for Waterfowlers

New offerings include Blind Side 2, Bismuth addition and added sub-gauge shotshells.

  • Check out what’s new from Winchester for waterfowlers in the video above, with Game & Fish's Adam Heggenstaller and Winchester's Nathan Robinson at SHOT Show 2024 in Las Vegas.

Winchester has been at the forefront of developing high-tech, lead-alternative loads for waterfowl hunters since the non-lead mandate of the late 1980s. That reputation continues to this day, with more innovation geared at waterfowl hunters.

Among the new-for-2024 gear from Winchester are Blind Side 2 shotshells and an addition to the Bismuth line-up. Here’s a look:

Winchester Blind Side 2

gaf-blindside2
Winchester Blind Side 2 shotshells. (Photo courtesy of Winchester)

Winchester turned heads years ago with its Blind Side loads, and now Hex shot is putting attention on its new Blind Side 2 shells. Each pellet has six flat sides and rounded edges. If that sounds unusual, it is. But Winchester’s testing has revealed that the pellets fly and pattern well with lethal penetration thanks to a tumbling effect created by the Hex shot. Winchester’s patented Drylok wad keeps water from ruining the powder while the nickel-plated head resists corrosion.

Winchester Bismuth

gaf-shot-bismuth
Winchester Bismuth shotshells in 28 gauge. (Photo courtesy of Winchester)

New this year in the Bismuth line is a 3-inch, 28-gauge load with 1 ounce of No. 5 shot at 1,300 fps. Bismuth loads have a special buffer to protect the pellets and provide denser patterns. The company says the Bismuth line “shatters performance expectations with a premium, uniform shot, which is tin-plated to produce the smoothest, roundest bismuth shot in the industry.” From its testing, Winchester says Bismuth puts 90 percent of its pattern on target. It also says any choke can be used. It has Winchester’s familiar components: Drylok wad system and primer, and proven buffer to assist with pellet flight and pattern expansion. Also in the Bismuth line, the 3-inch 12-gauge will have 1 3/8 ounces of No. 4 shot (ducks)  No. 1 shot (geese). Bismuth 20-gauge will come in 3-inch offerings with 1 1/8 ounces of No. 4 shot.

Winchester Expands 28G Offerings

gaf-winchesterxpert28g
Winchester Xpert shotshells in 28 gauge. (Photo courtesy of Winchester)

Winchester has added 3-inch 28-gauge offerings for upland and waterfowl hunters. The company says growing demand for sub-gauge hunting loads is an exciting prospect as it provides a softer recoil option for those that may have avoided hunting and sport shooting due to the higher recoil of 12 and 20 gauge. The new shotshells, with increased payloads, are offered in the Winchester Xpert Steel and Super Pheasant lines, along with Bismuth.

Click here to learn more about Winchester’s shotgun loads

  • Alan Clemons contributed to this report.

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Rod builders continue to gravitate toward accommodating lighter finesse techniques. Here's a small sampling of the best ...
Gear

Cashion Icon Bait Finesse Rod

Rod builders continue to gravitate toward accommodating lighter finesse techniques. Here's a small sampling of the best ...
Gear

Dryshod Evalusion Hunt Boots Keep Whitetail Hunters on Top of Their Game

Rod builders continue to gravitate toward accommodating lighter finesse techniques. Here's a small sampling of the best ...
Gear

Tackle Junkie: Lew's Custom Pro Gen 3

Rod builders continue to gravitate toward accommodating lighter finesse techniques. Here's a small sampling of the best ...
Other

Light up the Salt

Rod builders continue to gravitate toward accommodating lighter finesse techniques. Here's a small sampling of the best ...
Fishing

Caring for the Catch

Rod builders continue to gravitate toward accommodating lighter finesse techniques. Here's a small sampling of the best ...
Fishing

Snook on the Hook

Rod builders continue to gravitate toward accommodating lighter finesse techniques. Here's a small sampling of the best ...
Guns

TriStar Cobra III Field Pump Super Compact .410

Rod builders continue to gravitate toward accommodating lighter finesse techniques. Here's a small sampling of the best ...
Gear

Federal Premium Freight Train Copper Sabot Slug

Rod builders continue to gravitate toward accommodating lighter finesse techniques. Here's a small sampling of the best ...
Fishing

Saltwater Setup

Rod builders continue to gravitate toward accommodating lighter finesse techniques. Here's a small sampling of the best ...
Fishing

Jacks to the Max

Rod builders continue to gravitate toward accommodating lighter finesse techniques. Here's a small sampling of the best ...
Gear

Beilue's Best from ICAST 2024: Baits & Tackle

Rod builders continue to gravitate toward accommodating lighter finesse techniques. Here's a small sampling of the best ...
Gear

Beilue's Best from ICAST 2024: Rods

Game & Fish Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Game & Fish App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Game & Fish stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Game & Fish stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use