Built For Speed

Deciding on the name of a new product can be the most complicated aspect of its launch. But that wasn’t the case for one of Federal’s latest shotshell offerings. These loads were specially designed for fast-action competition shooting such as 3-gun and other race-focused shooting sports. So Federal simply named it Action Shotgun.

“Shooting sports in the action shotgun space are all about extremes,” says Scott Turner, Federal’s Shotshell Product Line Manager. “Quickly jamming shells into higher capacity magazines, or forcefully hand-stuffing them into tube magazines; hitting steel targets in awkward positions at various distances and only having seconds to do it; dealing with the difficulties of inclement weather, temperatures and other natural elements; plus, maneuvering around tough terrain and challenging layouts of the courses: all add up to become extreme and intense.”

Action Shotgun caters to the wants and needs for competitors within the growing sport.

“First and foremost, this product is designed to address and eliminate chronic hand-loading and magazine-feeding issues these athletes often encounter,” Turner says. “Second, it delivers the quantity and power that action shotgun shooters were already seeking out. And finally, it uses the ideal components for the ultimate in pattern performance and reliability competitors can depend on.”

Turner explains that one of the challenges was finding the right mix and match of Federal’s existing components—the combination of head, primer, shot, wad system and hull.

“But we are extremely pleased with the results, and we know shooters will be happy too. Every aspect of this new ammo has been designed to help competitors run their shotgun stages more efficiently and effectively.”

Feeding Rigidity

Action shotgunners have been often plagued with reliability issues using segmented-crimp style shotshells. Traditional 8- or 6- segment crimps can become loose when bumped and battered when stored on belts during competition or when stuffed into a tube magazine.

“Also, when using high-capacity, box-fed magazines, the high spring tension inside the mag—in conjunction with fast paced reloading—caused that weaker hull crimp design to open slightly,” says Federal Shotshell Research & Development Engineer, Joshua Vickers. “Shot would then leak into the magazine. When split seconds count, the last thing any shooter needs is damaged ammo, or shot rolling around in the magazine causing a malfunction.”

The biggest design attribute that helps the ammo overcome loading and reloading issues is the use of an overshot card and a roll crimp. Roll crimps are nothing new, but the benefit of the roll crimp is that it adds extra hoop rigidity and strength to the mouth end of the cartridge.

“This is important because under the high spring tension in box fed magazines, segmented crimps are known to be damaged at the mouth end,” Vickers says. “This causes chambering issues and can also cause shot to leak into the magazine, which may also cause stoppages. The overshot card and roll crimp not only add rigidity, but it also aids in chambering, so it works flawless in box magazines as well as tube fed shotguns.”

Bulk Power

Action shotgunners have historically used heavy-power trap loads, such as HDCP or handicap dram equivalent loads, which are commonly used at the 27-yard line in trap. These powerful loads were found to be the most effective on the variety of steel targets and distances commonly experienced in multi-gun matches.

“So, when developing Action Shotgun, it just made sense to use the same load those shooters already trust—a 2 ¾-inch, 1,235 fps, 1 1/8-ounce, No. 7.5 lead shot, HDCP Dram Eq. load—as our starting point.”

“We then tweaked, tested and ensured these loads have enough energy to reliably work in piston-driven, AK-style shotguns and other popular scatterguns commonly used in multi-gun competitions,” adds Vickers. “Yet, these loads still have softer perceived recoil to stay on target during follow-up and consecutive shots. That way, loads have enough power to knock down tough targets, but still be easily shootable to run a course with good speed and precision.”

Another feature that makes this product stand out at competitions is the 200-round bulk pack, a first for Federal.

“Action shotgunners go through a lot of shotshells, so it made sense to eliminate the 25-round boxes to make the reloading process more convenient and efficient. It also results in less waste that needs to be cleaned up and thrown away after the match,” Turner says.

Quality Throughout

The lead shot used in Action Shotgun is the same hard, high-antimony lead used in Federal’s reliable and popular Top Gun target loads.

“The 10mm, low-brass shell cup is made of brass-plated steel for reliable feeding and extraction,” explains Vickers. “The loads also feature Federal’s standard, reliable primers for dependable ignition, every time, and temperature-stable powder ideal for any shooting condition.”

Federal specifically selected an extremely temperature-stable and clean-burning propellant when designing Action Shotgun. This is important because action shotgunners shoot year-round, and it is not uncommon to start early in the morning when temperatures are low and increase throughout the day. This ensures consistent recoil impulse and minimizes fouling in gas-operated shotguns.

“And although, this product was developed from the ground up for action shotgun competitions, it patterns extremely well for shooting trap, skeet, small game, or doves too,” Turner says.