The Federal Story

Original conception of the Federal plant in 1916. Initially, the Sherman brothers hoped to produce 175,000 shotshells a week, but that never happened under their watch.

Louie and Harry Sherman were the sort of nomadic inventors common in the early 20th century. They had obvious talents but never let the dust of any one place settle on them. Their role in Federal history was crucial but short.

First products of the new company are three Hi-Power shotshell loads: a short-brass Dixie load with black powder, Standard ammo with medium brass, and Ranger long brass.

Federal as we know it today is born when investors led by Charles Horn purchase the Anoka ammunition plant and establish the new Federal Cartridge Corporation.

Charles Horn was originally interested in Federal because he wanted to make paper tubes for air rifle shot. Federal offered BBs from the 1920s through the 1970s.

Company lore has it that Charles Horn himself posed in a red sweater and flat cap for the art that graced Federal target ammo into the 1950s.

Thwarted by competitors, Charles Horn builds distribution through unusual channels like barber shops, gas stations, hardware stores, dentists, and pool halls.

Federal's Hi-Power rimfire ammo was available in smokeless or the semi-smokeless Lesmok. Long and Short 22s were more popular than the 22 Long Rifle at this point.

Federal purchased the American Cartridge Company and moved it to Anoka from Kansas City. It eventually became the American Eagle brand still used today.

By 1926, Federal was offering a comprehensive line of shotshells and rimfire ammo. One load in each gauge was offered with blackpowder, handy for Damascus barrels.

Box labels were changed to a dark blue background with the iconic flying duck. End labels promoted the gunpowder featured in each load.

The brands on Federal shotshell packaging include: Dixie, Reliable, Monark, Favorite, and Hi-Power Oval, each indicating a recommended shooting or hunting application.

Federal makes house brand shotshells and rimfire ammo for Sears & Roebuck, the great Chicago rival of Montgomery Ward. Sta-Klean indicated non-corrosive priming.

Being your own boss was as compelling in 1928 as it is today, and Federal touted shotshells as a great money-maker for garages. By then, jobbers were happy to sell Federal ammo.

1928 saw the introduction of non-corrosive priming to the Federal rimfire line. Lesmok and smokeless powder were still available, Lesmok boxes being a lighter blue.

At this stage of Federal history, many machines were still driven by belts from a central jackshaft, requiring workers to move carefully around the factory floor.

Federal executive offices moved into the then-new Foshay Tower in Minneapolis, where they stayed until the 1980s. The building is now occupied by the W Hotel-Foshay.

By 1930, Federal was employing more than 500 workers, from a core of seven less than 10 years earlier. The Depression had relatively little effect at this point.

From the start, Federal was quickly a favorite shell of trap and skeet shooters. This is an early patch to commemorate shooting 100 straight targets with Hi-Power shotshells.

In 1931, Franklin W. Olin purchased a majority of Federal. He was the founder of Olin Corp. and Western Cartridge Co. and bought Winchester the same year.

Skeet shooting grew exponentially during the 1930s, and squads like the Forest Park Isaak Walton League team defied the Depression to pursue the then-new clay target sport.

Federal introduced its first skeet loads, designed specifically for the fast-growing shotgun sport. Federal used purple paper on regular skeet loads.

Through the contacts from Franklin Olin, Western Cartridge Co. began loading the 22 WRF for Federal. Though something of an oddball, it lasted into the 1950s.

The 22 BB cap was offered from 1932-1934. Note that the box states the priming is non-fouling, not non-corrosive. These little cartridges were notoriously dirty to use.

Avid conservationist Charles Horn helped institute the 4-H Club Conservation Program, and Federal became the first company to sponsor camps nationwide.

Even as early as the mid-1930s, Federal often called up professional shooters to promote its brand and products.

Advocacy from hunters, conservationists, and the hunting industry results in the launch of the Federal Duck Stamp. Billions have been raised since 1935.

Federal worked three shifts a day, and the day shift put in a half-day on Saturday. Regardless the shift, lunch was a half-hour. Federal's employee parking lot was a busy place.

The Airline brand was introduced in 1937 with red box (standard load) and blue box (Xcess Speed) versions. The line lasted until 1941 and has not been revived.

Then as now, waterfowlers wanted more power, so in 1937, Federal began offering 3-inch Magnum versions of the Hi-Power shell. The 3-inch 20-gauge came out in 1958.

The lingering effects of market hunting, the Dust Bowl, and land clearance for farming had all thinned the once unending waterfowl populations. Conservation was essential.

The German invasion of Poland on Sept. 1, 1939, had effects felt all the way to Anoka. Dealers were warned that metals shortages meant previous prices could not be honored.

Rifled slugs were introduced in 1940, replacing the round ball loads sold in the 1930s. They were offered in 12-, 16-, and 20-gauge, as well as in 410 bore for small game use. Both conventional boxes and five-packs could be had.

Federal introduces 'Wadless Crimp' shells with an eight-point folded crimp. Discerning shooters of the time wanted to know the powder brand, loaded in their shells, so these were obligingly marked 'Red Dot' or 'MX'.

Clarence Livgard was an omnipresent figure in early Federal history, both in the plant and in social activities. He won an Ordnance Banner for his war work in the 1940s.

Federal shipped more than 120 million shotshells and more than 337 million rimfires in 1940, for a total of 458,216,288 rounds. That number included a limited amount of 22 WRF and other products manufactured by Western.

March 3: The Federal board of directors accepts an order from the British government for 1.4 million mortar ignition shells, with an option to buy another 600,000. Federal officially joins the Allied cause in World War II.

Charles Horn, Minnesota Gov. Harold Stassen, and U.S. Army Ordnance representatives break ground for the Twin Cities Ordnance Plant Aug. 28, 1941. The plant would produce ammunition for World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

More than half the workers at Twin Cities Ordnance Plant were women, like forelady Peggy Johlfs, who presented President Franklin D. Roosevelt with .30 and .50 cartridges as he toured the plant in his famous open car Sept. 19, 1942.

Keeping the home front motivated was the job of the Office of War Information, which produced media to inform and encourage the population. Posters reminded factory workers their tasks were vital.

Federal's mortar ignition shell design goes into production. Resembling a short and stubby shotgun shell, it's inserted in the base of the mortar bomb. As the bomb slides down the tube, its primer impacts a firing pin, launching the bomb.

Shotshell production was greatly reduced but not ended during World War II. Federal loaded trap and skeet ammunition for training purposes throughout the war, many with unplated steel heads and boxes marked 'U.S. Property.'

Federal developed the disintegrating top wad, which was a hardened, thick powder that sealed the top of the shotshell. This greatly improved its patterning and performance. Before this, a thin disc of roll-crimped paperboard held the shot in place.

Federal turned innovative manufacturing of safety devices into Hoffman Engineering in 1947. The company, now nVent Hoffman, thrived through the 1980s and still makes safety equipment.

The standard-speed Monark (red box) and the high-speed Hi-Power (blue box) continued to be the rimfire packaging for the entire 1950s and into the following decade.

The 22 WRF, always a bit of an orphan, lost its place in the Federal line in 1950. The coonskin cap was always an anachronism for this obscure rimfire round.

Reloading became a huge hobby as shooters started loading for surplus arms. In 1951, Federal began offering centerfire primers that let those guns get back to shooting.

The Twin Cities Ordnance Plant, renamed Twin Cities Arsenal in 1946, was brought back for the Korean War. Here, workers test-fire ammo though belt-fed machine guns.

Packaging graphics used on target loads since 1930 were replaced by a shattering clay target in 1953.

The Monark was the Federal Cartridge Corp. employee publication, emblematic of the benevolent, paternalistic management culture of the 1950s.

The 2 3/4-inch magnum load introduced in 1954 packed a thumping 4 drams powder equivalent behind a full 1 1/2 ounces of lead shot. This would be a powerful load even today.

Separate trap and skeet loads were combined into Target Loads in 1955. The yellow and black box was retained. Folded crimps returned, though with six points.

Then as now, shotgunners craved more power, and Federal delivered with the 2 3/4-inch 12- and 16-gauge Standard Magnums. These were the days when lead shot was still allowed for waterfowl.

Machinery powered by belts from line shafts was steadily converted to utilize electric motors, making it safer for the worker and more reliable.

Patches or brassards were an important promotional item during the 1950s.

The 12-gauge 3-inch reappeared in 1957, followed almost immediately by the 3-inch 20-gauge in 1958. By this point, Federal was already considering new packaging designs.

Charles Horn emphasized firearms safety from the earliest days, and Federal produces safety posters for use by gun clubs, summer camps, and hunting lodges.

Federal got ready for the Swinging Sixties by testing several variations of a new box design, with the version shown at bottom right getting the nod.

Federal led the industry in introducing color-coded shotshells, helping to eliminate the '12-20 burst,' caused when a 20-gauge shell was dropped into a 12-gauge gun and followed with a 12-gauge shell.

By 1961, shotshell handloading was well-established. It was a bit more complicated than today: handloaders had to calculate the proper combination of card and cushion wads to produce the desired wad column.

After more than 40 years making shotshells and rimfire ammo, Federal adds centerfire rifle and handgun ammunition to the product line.

The 12-cartridge rifle lineup included familiar ones and others that have become obscure, like the 222 Rem. and 32 Win. Spl. Surplus rounds like the 7mm and 8mm Mausers and the 303 British were popular at the time.

Pistol shooters were not left out of the fun when centerfire ammo joined the Federal range. Both 38 Special wadcutter and 45 ACP hardball were offered.

Starting in the 1960s, child warnings were printed on all boxes. This was required by the government's Safety Commission.

The Monark Target load, with traditional card and fiber wads, was supplanted by the new Champion cartridge with a plastic wad. It produced much more effective target patterns by protecting the shot while it passed through the bore.

Federal introduces plastic shotshells. The wad column combined a plastic shot cup with a fiber cushion wad, joining old and new technology. In 1965, the 16-gauge rendered in purple was still an important market segment.

Target loads in the small gauges are offered as Monark Target. Not many competitors were using 16-gauge by this point, but the 20-and 28-gauges and 410 bore were used in skeet.

In 1967, the well-established Monark and Hi-Power rimfire boxes gave way to an all-red box for both lines. The 22 Short was still popular, and Federal made a round for international rapid-fire pistol shooting.

By 1968, the Champion could be had with paper hull or a new all-plastic hull that dispensed with the fiber base wad of earlier plastic shells for better reloading.

By the end of the decade, shotgunners could choose traditional card and fiber wads or join the movement to plastic wads like the Champion Pellet Protector.

Promotional loads in Game and Duck & Pheasant packaging are introduced. Promotional loads allow Federal to offer separate lines for gun dealers and discount stores.

The Pushin'-Cushion wad is introduced. The recoil-absorbing center section helps relieve punishment when shoot-offs go on for hours in big tournaments.

Centerfire rifle cartridges began being offered in plastic cartridge carriers. These could be threaded onto any belt or carried in a pocket to keep rounds clean and secure.

The duck has been a symbol of Federal since the beginning, and an ad from the 1970s offered the perfect recipe, combining Federal shotshells for getting the duck and sherry for cooking it.

Hi-Power 100s start the trend of rimfire cartridges in a plastic box with sliding lid. These made it easy to access five rounds in the field or on the range.

The paper-hulled Champion was an instant success in the 1960s and remained so for years. It was supplemented in 1972 by the Champion II, with a very reloadable one-piece plastic hull.

Federal led the way with the introduction of steel shot waterfowl ammo in 1973. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service didn't require non-toxic shot to prevent lead ingestion by waterbirds until the 1990s.

Federal was hardly immune to the lure of 1970s color schemes, as can be seen in the packaging of Power-Flite rimfire ammo for small game hunting. New package designs came quickly.

An accurate standard-velocity 22 is a rimfire product almost everyone can use, and Federal borrowed the Champion name from the shotshell line for a popular target round.

League and Special Target addressed two different audiences. League was an economical load for practice, while Special Target used fiber wads for wider patterns in skeet shooting.

Famed trick shooter Tom Frye used Federal ammunition for many years and in 1975 used Federal 22 Shorts to make this image, shooting freehand with no outline on the target.

Under the leadership of Bill Stevens, Federal took a leading role in the 4-H Shooting Sports program, which since then has taught thousands of youngsters to enjoy safe shooting.

You might not expect an ammo manufacturer to promote handloading, but in 1976, Federal would throw in a case of Pushin'-Cushion wads with every case of League target shells bought.

A huge milestone in Federal history was the introduction of Premium ammunition, which combined the best components from every source with precision manufacturing techniques.

The introduction of steel shot induced a revival of the long-dormant 10-gauge. With 2 ounces of shot, 3 1/2-inch magnum loads were effective hunting loads, though not for the recoil-shy hunter.

The man who personified Federal Cartridge Corp. for more than 55 years died in 1978 at the age of 90. Charles L. Horn was an industrialist, conservationist, and philanthropist.

Camouflage started to be cool in the late 1970s, and Federal was keen to use it in packaging, as on this box for 20-gauge American Eagle shotshells.

With obvious reference to the Olympics of that year, Federal introduced the Gold Medal target load. The recoil-dampening 12S3 wad and a one-piece plastic hull made it both a pleasure to shoot and a breeze to reload.

In the 1980s, the Federal Premium line of ammunition continued strong, which helped Federal ammo get into large dealers that never carried the brand before. These new dealers greatly helped grow Federal's overall business.

Federal produced specially marked shells for the Ducks Unlimited banquet fundraising program, marking the beginning of several support relationships with conservation groups.

Federal's original private brand customer, Montgomery Ward, got out of the ammunition business in 1981, after almost 60 years of selling Federal-produced shotshells and rimfire cartridges.

Hyper-velocity rimfires were all the rage in the early 1980s, and Federal was part of the trend with the colorfully named and packaged Lightning and Spitfire loads.

Better bullets and manufacturing gave the 22 Win. Mag. a new burst of popularity in the 1980s, and Federal was on board, offering the fast-stepping rimfire in distinctive packaging.

If you lived in a buckshot zone and wanted the ultimate in stopping power, you could select the 10-gauge Federal Premium load with 18 pellets of 00 Buck - twice the usual 12-gauge load.

In the organization's first year, Federal becomes a supporter of Pheasants Forever and also joins forces with the National Wild Turkey Federation, continuing a long tradition.

Why endure more recoil than you need to when shooting clay targets? That was the idea when Extra-Lite loads were introduced in 1985. They made shooting a lot more pleasant.

Heavyweight Magnum fulfilled the desire of hunters for maximum charge weight with a full 2-ounce load of lead shot. Recoil, of course, was proportional.

Nyclad pistol cartridges allow safer indoor shooting practice by containing lead dust in a nylon envelope. They immediately became popular with law enforcement agencies.

If regular slugs just weren't enough for you, Federal added 3-inch Hi-Shok 12-gauge slugs in 1986. The longer shells provided an additional 70 fps velocity.

As befits a company that long used the duck as its symbol, Federal began supporting Ducks Unlimited's efforts to conserve and increase wildfowl habitat in North America.

Most think of Premium as a rifle brand, but in 1987, Federal added new No. 1 and No. 000 buckshot loads to the Premium shotshell line. They had buffered, copper-plated shot.

Pentair, of Arden Hills, Minn., a diversified industrial company with a specialization in hand tools, acquired FC Holdings, the parent company of Federal and Hoffman Engineering.

Top Gun was the target load for the shooter who was looking to stretch their ammo dollar without sacrificing performance.

The former Special Target loads, with paper hulls and fiber wads, were rebranded in 1988 for the fast-growing discipline of sporting clays where their large patterns paid off.

The 10-gauge was just too big for a lot of shooters, spurring development of the 3 1/2-inch 12-gauge. It was more conventionally sized but could hold big loads of steel shot.

Several shotshell lines were consolidated under the name 'Classic' with sophisticated blue and gray pinstriped packaging. Target ammo retained its own designations.

Was it worthwhile for Federal to offer the 470 Nitro Express? Turns out it was. Its availability made it dominant among new-build African rifles into the 1990s and beyond.

The late 1980s were a time of furious innovation in law enforcement pistol loads, and Federal led the pack with the Hydra-Shok line of bullets that combined expansion and penetration.

The Persian Gulf War caused planners to consider reestablishing production at Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant. The conflict was over so quickly that the idea was shelved.

To offer an even more economical package to the value-minded shooter, American Eagle ammo is heavily promoted in the 1992 catalog.

The style of the 1990s demanded a classic look, so Federal ammo was soon boxed in pinstriped packaging that reflected the refined aesthetics of the times.

Gold Medal UltraMatch rimfire cartridges power Launi Meili's gold medal in smallbore rifle at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, validating Federal's commitment to precision ammo.

Federal has always been about supporting the dealer, and this shotshell-shaped ammo selector let the customer learn about Federal offerings right on the retail floor.

Premium Trophy Bonded ammunition spotlighted the 1994 Federal catalog. Federal's acquisition of the Trophy Bonded brand brought the most modern bullet technology in-house.

BallistiClean ammo was especially useful for law enforcement agencies conducting training in shoot houses, which were proliferating in the 1990s. It greatly reduced harmful compounds.

Distinctive Tactical ammo was offered in rifle, pistol, and slug configurations beginning in 1995. Packaging reflected the Classic design emphasis of other Federal lines.

Federal's support of the shooting sports wasn't confined to summer games. U.S. Biathlon athlete Kara Hermanson-Salmela was backed by Federal ammo and technical support.

Self defense is the reason most people own pistols and revolvers, so why not offer ammo named that way? Personal Defense ammo offered jacketed hollow points in nickeled cases.

Federal is acquired by Blount Industries, primarily a maker of chainsaws and other logging equipment that had previously purchased Federal competitor, CCI.

Shotshell patterning is the best way to know if your shotgun shoots straight and how large a pattern it prints at a given distance. Federal offered a kit to make the process easy.

If BallistiClean was good for law enforcement training with centerfire pistols, why not for rimfires? Indoor rimfire shooters got their shot at non-toxic loads with BallistiClean 22s.

Personal Defense ammo, using Hydra-Shok jacketed hollow-point bullets, was offered in a distinctive new package that highlighted the effective Hydra-Shok bullet design and a tamper-proof plastic box.

The breakup of the Soviet Union greatly reduced the price of tungsten, allowing Federal to offer tungsten-iron loads that offered lead performance in a non-toxic cartridge.

An alternative to tungsten-iron was tungsten-polymer, a material that allows hunters who shoot classic shotguns to use tungsten shot without worrying about barrel damage.

Australian manufacturer Woodleigh was well-known for its dangerous-game bullets even before it teamed up with Federal to offer Premium ammo with its robust Weldcore bullet.

Federal joined with Barnes Bullets to offer the Expander all-copper saboted slug load. The new slug offered a combination of expansion and penetration and was non-toxic, to boot.

Duck and goose hunters of the time were all about getting more energy on target using higher velocity, and Federal was on the case with Classic Heavy High Velocity (HHV) Steel ammo.

Federal promotional, discount loads often had packaging that separated itself from the standard and Premium product lines.

In 2001, Federal introduced an Expanding Full Metal Jacket (EFMJ) handgun round. This uniquely designed round featured a scored full-metal nose, encapsulating a rubber tip that collapses upon impact.

Alliant Techsystems (ATK) purchased Federal and immediately invested in marketing as well as research and development. These moves greatly helped the brand grow in the commercial, law enforcement, and military markets.

Federal Ammunition is rebranded in general as Federal Premium, with the different families designated by a name ending in 'Shok', a term established by Hi-Shok and Hydra-Shok ammo.

Winning performance on the range requires lots of practice, so Federal offered Champion handgun target loads, letting avid shooters stock up for time behind the trigger.

In 2005, Federal introduced its Premium TruBall, which became the most accurate smoothbore slug on the market.

Power-Shok took the place in the line once occupied by Hi-Power: a conventional load for the economy-minded hunter looking for reliable performance at a popular price.

In 2004, 17 HMR was hot, and Federal launched two new loads for it.

The first rifle cartridge with Federal in its name rolled out in 2006. Developed in cooperation with Sako, the 338 Federal offered a step up in power and penetration from the 308 Win.

Fusion technology was too good to be confined to rifle cartridges, so Federal gave handgun hunters access, too. The 454 Casull is a potent revolver round that's perfect for use with the Fusion bullet.

Federal launches the 327 Federal in cooperation with Ruger. The new cartridge is a lengthened 32 H&R Mag. and provides effective defensive performance in smaller-caliber revolvers.

At the other end of the power spectrum, the 460 S&W is added to the Vital-Shok line. This round is for hunting large and dangerous game with a revolver and has the power for the job.

Federal has provided millions in support for conservation groups like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation through royalty programs that donate a portion of each box's profit to deserving groups.

In 2007, Black Cloud introduced a new Premium waterfowl load that changed the game for waterfowl hunting ammunition and set a higher bar in performance and effectiveness.

Federal's more than a quarter-century of support to Pheasants Forever paid off with improved habitat and hunting opportunities throughout the country.

No lead? No problem! The Barnes Triple Shock X showed an all-copper bullet could expand as effectively as any multi-part type while maintaining the deep penetration copper solids are known for.

Famed hunter, television personality, cultural commentator, and evangelist Phil Robertson, the Duck Commander, appeared in special edition packaging of Black Cloud in 2008.

Federal introduces the HST line of law enforcement ammunition. Designed to maximize performance in the FBI Test Protocol, it combines deep penetration and reliable expansion.

Federal introduced two new super-accurate Gold Medal Match target loads, developed in conjunction with renowned rimfire manufacturer RWS.

Even as black rifles ruled the range, shooters looked back to the great days of high power rifle shooting at matches specifically for M1 and M1A rifles. Federal made the ammo.

Experts scoffed, but buyers pounced on the Taurus Judge revolver, making it a smashing success. Federal soon had special 3-inch 410-bore shells optimized for use in it.

Combining a saboted Trophy Copper bullet with a 12-gauge shotshell gave slug hunters a leg up. This was a tremendous leap in effectiveness over existing slug loads.

Massive revolvers were all the rage in the early 2010s, and Federal offered Vital-Shok ammo in calibers like the 460 S&W Mag. for deer and even elk hunting by experienced handgunners.

Speed-Shok answered the call of many waterfowlers for higher-velocity steel shot ammunition.

The FLITECONTROL wad was way too good to be relegated to waterfowl loads alone. Fill it with No. 4, 5, or 6 lead shot, and you have a load that will reach out to the jumpiest pheasant.

The 300 Blackout was one of the first cartridges designed for use with a suppressor, and American Eagle has a cartridge designed for maximum performance with a 'can' on your muzzle.

Federal designed the original HST load for the police market where the FBI's ammunition protocols required deep penetration. Personal Defense HST was released to the commercial market in 2013. HST in 10mm Auto was added in 2018.

Most everyone has access to a personal computer these days, and in 2014, Federal started to offer an online ballistic calculator that made ammo comparisons quick and easy.

Can you really hunt with a muzzleloader at 200 yards? It's not even difficult when you load the Trophy Copper B.O.R. Lock muzzleloader bullet. It combines easy loading with exceptional accuracy.

Hunters love Modern Sporting Rifles for pursuing game like coyotes and feral hogs. Fusion ammo's combination of economy and effectiveness is just the thing for those pastimes.

Alliant Techsystems spun off its outdoor-oriented businesses into Vista Outdoor. This combined the greatest names in hunting and shooting into one coherent outdoor company

There are places that forbid lead bullets. If you're hunting in one, you give up nothing in performance with the Power-Shok Copper bullet. Accuracy and expansion are among the best.

The name's deliberately ironic because Federal specifically aimed Non Typical at the typical deer hunter who wants accuracy, reliability, and on-target performance at a price they can afford.

Long-range target shooting was the original idea behind the 224 Valkyrie, and nothing has yet matched it for that application in AR-platform Modern Sporting Rifles.

The 450 Bushmaster answers the question: how big of a bullet can you shoot from an AR? It's great fun on the range and has real-world application as a woods deer-hunting cartridge.

Combine the FLITECONTROL FLEX wad with a big charge of buffered, copper-plated shot, and you've got a load that will down the toughest tom at the longest distance: Grand Slam Turkey.

Action pistol competition is all about banging steel plates, often at short distances. Syntech Action Pistol uses a Total Synthetic Jacket to reduce fouling and backsplatter from targets.

With the cooperation of TV personality Steven Rinella, Federal launched the MeatEater line. The rifle ammunition features the polymer-tipped Trophy Copper bullet.

With the 2020 Olympics on the way, Federal once again supported the U.S. Shooting Team with world-class competition ammunition. The results paid off for the team and for Federal.

Whether you're putting your lever gun to work on bucks, bulls, or boars, HammerDown's molecularly bonded bullets are optimized for terminal performance through lever-action barrel lengths.

Terminal Ascent was the ultimate refinement of the Trophy Bonded line of Premium hunting bullets. It combined match-grade accuracy with an unequaled blend of penetration and expansion.

At just 1 3/4-inch long, Federal Shorty shotshells let you load your magazine and shoot all day. Performance approaches that of full-size shells, and the fun is even greater.

Plastic wads revolutionized shotshells, but Federal looked to more natural ingredients with its new Paper Wad.

The latest Federal competition load destined for dominance is the High Over All. Its one-piece Podium wad soaks up recoil, and its tapered, one-piece hull makes reloading easier than ever.

Launched in 2022, the new 30 Super Carry cartridge bridges the largest performance gap in handgun self-defense. Its .312-inch projectile carries as much muzzle energy as 9mm Luger while allowing greater magazine capacity.

Sometimes, a 22 LR may be all you have. For those times, there's 22 Punch. The bullet is designed to stay together on impact, giving deep penetration.

Federal Ammunition, along with all of the other ammunition brands in the Vista Outdoor portfolio, becomes a new standalone company, The Kinetic Group.