The days of just grabbing a box of bargain-priced sixes to hit the field are gone. Modern shotshells are designed for specific quarry and individual hunting situations. The newest loads are environmentally friendly, fast, hard-hitting and--most important--effective.

Federal/ATK
Utilizing the popular FliteControl wad that waterfowl hunters have grown to love, the new Prairie Storm 12-gauge ammunition from Federal is designed with pheasant hunters in mind. Serious downrange performance is achieved through a mix of Premium copper-plated lead and nickel-plated Flitestopper lead, which translates into full, consistent patterns and fewer lost birds. Three-inch and 2-3/4-inch options are available for those who take to the field with a 12 gauge. CONTACT: Federal/ATK, (800) 322-2342, www.federalpremium.com

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Remington
To cover all the extreme situations and conditions in which serious hunters might find themselves, Remington has released Nitro-Steel. Each Nitro-Steel shell is Wet-Pruf sealed at the primer and mouth and zinc-plated to prevent corrosion. New high-velocity loadings coupled with greater hull capacity carrying heavier charges and larger pellets offer wicked downrange performance on ducks and geese. High-velocity Remington's Nitro-Steel is available in a variety of budget-friendly payloads that are sure to put smiles on the faces of cost-conscious consumers.

CONTACT: Remington Arms, (800) 243-9700, www.remington.com

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Kent
Following the growing trend toward using non-toxic loads for upland hunting, Kent has released Upland Fasteel, which mirrors the company's Waterfowl line. Designed for everything from doves and quail on up to bigger game like pheasants and prairie grouse, Upland Fasteel is available for both 12 and 20 gauges. Hunters can choose from 5, 6 and 7 shot, depending on personal preference and quarry, and can expect shot velocities of anywhere from 1400 fps to 1500 fps, depending on individual loads.

CONTACT: Kent, (888) 311-KENT, www.kentgamebore.com

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Winchester
Demand for low-cost, non-toxic loads led Winchester Ammunition to create their Xpert Game/Target Steel Shot. To cater to upland and waterfowl hunters as well as target shooters, Xpert Game/Target offers corrosion-resistant steel shot that is environmentally friendly and equally effective on gamebirds and clay targets.From .410 loads with 3/8-ounce of shot to 12-gauge loads with 1-1/8-ounce of shot, Xpert Game/Target offers up affordable steel shotshells for hunters who range from casual small game hunters to the most diehard duck hunters.

CONTACT: Winchester Ammunition, www.winchester.com

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Rio Ammunition
Rio Ammunition understands that hunters and target shooters have plenty of options to choose from in the realm of shotgun shells, and to make the choice easier they've started packaging their ammo in solid-colored boxes that accent the company's new logo. Rio offers a comprehensive line of upland game, steel shot, buck shot, slugs and target loads To ensure top quality in products like their 12-gauge Game Load, Rio manufactures all the components like hulls, primers, powder and even the wads that are utilized in their shells.

CONTACT: Rio Ammunition, (931) 729-0880, www.federalpremium.com