Apex Ammunition – Upland Bird TSS

For 2022, APEX is offering their new Upland Bird TSS load in 12-, 20-, and 28-gauge and .410. Like their TSS waterfowl loads, TSS Upland offers the lethality of Tungsten Super Shot, which, with a density over 18 g/cc, is much heavier than lead (11.3 g/cc) or steel (7.8 g/cc). Because of this increased density, TSS pellets offer equal energies with smaller shot size, greater penetration due to reduced surface area, and more pellets per round. These rounds use clean-burning powder and a special one-piece tungsten-grade wad for consistent patterning and maximum barrel protection. APEX’s new Upland Bird TSS is available in 12- and 20-gauge 3-inch loads, 28-gauge 2¾-inch loads and 2½-inch and 3-inch .410 loads.

$50-$66 per 10 | apexmunition.com

Browning – Wicked Blend

For 2022 Browning is unveiling Wicked Blend ammunition. Consisting of 30 percent bismuth (by weight) stacked over steel pellets, this ammunition balances cost and performance. Precision round pellets help produce consistent patterns, and the Wicked Wad further improves performance. Wicked Blend is available in four 12-gauge loads, two 3-inch and two 3 ½-inches. The 3½-inch offers a payload of 1½-ounces of bismuth/steel at 1,450 feet per second, which is pretty wicked, indeed. There’s also a 3-inch 20-gauge load which uses 1-ounce of #2 steel and #4 bismuth. The 12-gauge loads are available with either the #2/#4 blend or BB/#1.

$30–$40 per 25 | browningammo.com

BOSS Shotshells – 28-Gauge

BOSS shotshells is now offering several new 3-inch non-toxic 28-gauge shells, all of which push 1 1/16 ounce of copper-plated bismuth driven at 1,325 feet per second. This payload of shot provides a level of performance not previously available from 28-gauge guns. However, the addition of 3-inch 28-gauge guns like the Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 has prompted companies like BOSS to offer more potent 28-gauge magnum loads, and there’s no doubt that this new 3-inch load will prove to be good medicine for upland birds and waterfowl alike. #4, #5, #6, #7 and a #3/#5 blend are all offered, and bulk orders of 200 rounds are available.

$32 per 20, $300 per 200 | bossshotshells.com

Federal Premium – HEVI-Bismuth

Federal’s big news is the recent release of their own HEVI-Bismuth load. Utilizing bismuth that’s 22 percent heavier than steel, these loads are lethal for both upland birds and waterfowl and yet are suitable in vintage shotguns. The shot is held inside Federal’s superb FLITECONTROL wad which provides consistent patterning and fewer missed or crippled birds. Available in an array of 12- and 20-gauge loads for both upland birds and waterfowl.

$67–$77 per 25 | federalpremium.com

Fiocchi – Golden Pheasant/Waterfowl Bismuth

Fans of bismuth hunting loads will be pleased to hear that Fiocchi is offering new waterfowl and upland ammunition loaded with high density (9.75 g/cc) bismuth shot. Their Golden Pheasant Bismuth loads are available in 12-gauge and a choice of either #4 or #6 2¾- or 3-inch loads. These loads propel 1¼-ounces of premium bismuth pellets at a muzzle velocity of 1,400 feet per second. New Golden Waterfowl Bismuth is available in 12-gauge, 1 3/8-ounce, 3-inch loads of #2, #4, or #6 shot with a muzzle velocity of 1,450 feet per second; and a 20-gauge, 3-inch load that pushes a 1 1/16-ounce payload of #4 bismuth shot at 1,250 fps. Interestingly, there’s also a 28-gauge, 3-inch Golden Waterfowl Bismuth option loaded with 15/16ths ounce of #4 bismuth.

$25 per 10 and up | fiocchiusa.com

HEVI-Shot – HEVI-Hammer Upland/HEVI-Bismuth Waterfowl

HEVI-Shot is rolling out a long list of non-toxic shotshells for a full range of upland and waterfowl hunting applications. HEVI-Hammer Upland is available in 12- and 20-gauge 3-inch loads with either #3 or #5 shot. HEVI-Bismuth Waterfowl loads, which use bismuth that is safe in vintage firearms and 22 percent denser than steel, are available in 10-, 12-, 16-, 20-, and 28-gauge and .410 with pellet sizes ranging from #1 to #6 in a variety of shell lengths from 2¾-inches to 3½-inches and with payloads ranging from 9/16ths to 1¾-ounces.

$35–$112 per 25 | hevishot.com

Remington – Premier Bismuth

Remington’s new Premier Bismuth load offers a hard-hitting non-toxic option that’s suited for both waterfowl and upland birds. Loaded with American cast and alloyed HEVI-BISMUTH, these loads offer superior performance even in vintage shotguns. What’s more, they’re loaded in 12-, 16-, 20-, and 28-gauge and .410 bore so no matter the gun, there’s a suitable non-toxic option available for you.

$58–$75 per 25 | remington.com

Winchester – Super Pheasant Diamond Grade

Winchester’s recently announced Super Pheasant Diamond Grade ammunition is engineered to hit hard-flying, wild-flushing roosters and comes loaded with copper-plated 8 percent antimony lead. Diamond Grade shot has a reputation for patterning well and with three load options (12-gauge, 2 ¾-inch, 1 3/8-ounce; 12-gauge, 3-inch, 1 5/8 ounce; and 20-gauge, 2 3/4-inch, 1-ounce) firing #5 shot this ammunition should prove lethal for a variety of upland birds.

$30–$35 per 25 | winchester.com