Shooters are always looking to stretch the performance of their favorite new guns or trusty ol’ sidekicks. Incremental advances in ammunition technology are pretty standard on an annual basis, but every once in a while something truly revolutionary comes along. For centerfire rifles shooters – namely, big game hunters – that’s what you’ll find in the first of many new ammo offerings below, with Federal’s long-anticipated drop of the 7mm Backcountry. Beyond that, there’s still plenty to be excited about for shooters from other walks of life. Check out some of the hottest new ammo for 2025.
The new 7mm BackCountry caliber by Federal has created quite the buzz.
The 7mm Backcountry Launch
Federal recently unveiled a brand-new caliber, and it goes by 7mm Backcountry. It’s built to produce results on big game at short and long ranges. Incredibly, despite being a long-range caliber, it does so with a short, suppressed barrel. Clocking 3,000 fps with 170-grain bullets, it charges out of a 20-inch barrel and screams downrange with exceptional precision. Part of what enables this is a patented Peak Alloy case. This one-piece design allows for greater velocities beyond the capabilities of brass casing.
“Welcome to the future of rifle cartridges,” said Jesse Whiteside, Federal’s Vice President of Product Management and R&D. “When it comes to innovation in rifle ammunition, as an industry, we have reached a point of diminishing returns with brass cased ammunition. With modern magnums, for example, it may take 30% more propellant to increase velocity by 10%. With our new 7mm Backcountry cartridge, featuring Peak Alloy case technology, those rules are re-written. We can achieve that same 10% velocity increase with less propellant than current magnums and do so out of shorter barrels with less felt recoil.
“Additionally, unlike conventional magnums, 7mm Backcountry utilizes a standard bolt face which allows for an additional round in the magazine of most hunting rifles,” Whiteside continued. “We expect factory gun offerings with barrels as short as 16 inches that match or outperform today’s current offerings with much longer barrels. This new technology allows hunters and shooters to shoot a barrel with a suppressor on it that is essentially the same length of a barrel without a suppressor on it, in a conventional round today.”
This year, Federal added several new calibers to numerous product lines.
For Big Game Hunters
Big game hunters rely on accurate, powerful rounds that put down game quickly. They need a bullet with proven performance at short and long ranges alike. This year, Federal has new additions within proven lines that hunters can trust.
“The five initial loads of 7mm Backcountry are 155- and 170-grain Federal Terminal Ascent, 195-grain Federal Berger Elite Hunter, 168-grain Federal Barnes LRX Copper, and 175-grain Federal Fusion Tipped,” said Eric Miller, Federal’s Centerfire Rifle Ammunition Product Line Manager. These flat-shooting, heavy-for-caliber bullets offer the optimal range of options between sleekness and energy, touting high ballistic coefficients.”
Federal Terminal Ascent: Terminal Ascent is the flagship bullet, which is designed to be an all-range option that maximizes accuracy at short and long ranges. Now, this is available in 7mm BackCountry in 155 and 170 grain. Other new additions include 6.5 PRC, 300 RUM, and 300 Win Mag.
Federal Fusion Tipped: The Fusion Tipped bullet offers molecular bonding and a streamlined polymer tip. It delivers massive downrange energy. Get it in 175-grain 7mm Backcountry loads.
Federal Barnes LRX: The Barnes LRX comes with a high ballistic coefficient, as well as a unique nose cavity and tip. It’s all copper, and works well at short, medium, and long yardages. Now, it’s available in 168-grain 7mm Backcountry. It’s also newly available in 280 Ackley, plus improvements in 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 7 PRC, 7mm Rem Mag, 300 Win., and .308 Win.
Federal Berger Elite Hunter: The Berger Elite Hunter comes with a thin jacket, but produces high amounts of hydrostatic shock. Plus, it punches a massive wound cavity. It’s now offered in 7mm Backcountry in 195 grains.
Federal Gold Medal Berger: The Gold Medal Berger provides an advanced boat-tail bullet. It has a very high ballistic coefficient and flat trajectory, making it less susceptible to wind drift. Now, it’s available in 6mm ARC.
TSS is now offered in several new gauges and shot sizes.
For Turkey Hunters
Hardcore turkey hunters are just as rabid about their ammo selection as avid big game hunters. Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) has become a key ingredient in the most respected turkey hunting shotshells, and Federal is here to serve the growing popularity of sub-gauge shotguns with new TSS loads.
Federal HeavyWeight TSS: HeavyWeight TSS is now offered in two new 28-gauge additions, including 2 ¾-inch and 3-inch No. 9 shot. Of course, the tungsten-allow shot material has 18 g/cc density, which is 56% more than lead. This is better for maintaining downrange energy performance.
Federal Custom Shop: The Custom Shop recently partnered with Rob Roberts Custom Gunworks to make available 2 ¾-inch 28-gauge in No. 9 TSS loads. This provides much better pattern density.
Small game hunters will enjoy several new ammo options.
For Small Game Hunters and Plinksters
Small game hunters, such as those targeting squirrels, coyotes, and other varmints, benefit from using quality rimfire solutions. For most, that comes in the form of a trusty 22 LR.
Federal HammerDown 22LR: The standard in rimfire performance, the HammerDown 22 LR is all-new for 2025. It’s offered as a 40-grain copper-plated hollow point. The technology originally produced for centerfire is now baked into the rimfire market. This brings lever-action rimfire ballistics and terminal performance to new levels.
Wing-shooters and waterfowl hunters can choose from numerous ammo selections brand new for 2025.
For Upland Bird and Waterfowl Hunters
Upland bird hunting, and waterfowl hunting, require some of the most skilled shooting disciplines. Connecting on fast-, high-flying birds isn’t easy, and wing shooters need ammo that delivers. Fortunately, there are numerous offerings that provide that reliability.
Federal Prairie Storm Bismuth Blend: A new line, the Prairie Storm Bismuth Blend offers the FliteControl Flex wad with a blend of Premium steel (70%) and HEVI-Bismuth (30%). Of the latter, these are one shot size smaller than the former. This is available in 2 ¾- and 3-inch offerings in 20- and 12-gauge. Offerings include No. 3 steel with No. 4 bismuth or No. 4 steel with No. 5 bismuth shot.
Federal Upland Paper: The all-new Upland Paper is another great load. It blends classic heritage with modern performance. Now, shooters can get it in 2 ¾-inch loads (No. 4, 5, or 6) in 20- and 12-gauge.
Federal Black Cloud: While Black Cloud isn’t new, it’s now available for 16-gauge carriers. Get it in 2 ¾-inch loads with No. 2 or 4 shot. Of course, it’s equipped with the FliteControl FLEX wad for improved pattern density.
Federal Gold Medal Paper: Gold Medal Paper is now available in No. 7 and 8 shot for 2 ¾-inch 20-gauge. It has extra-high-antimonial lead in a one-piece Podium wad.
Federal Ultra Steel: Ultra-Steel is now offered in 3 ½-inch 12- and 10-gauge formats. Get it BBB/1, BB/2, and 2/4 shot.
Federal Hevi-Bismuth: The Hevi-Bismuth load, has been around awhile, but just recently became available in 2 ¾-inch loads for 16- and 28-gauge carriers needing No. 3, 4, or 5 shot. These are carried by the FliteControl FLEX wad.
Federal Hi-Bird Fiber Wad: Finally, Hi-Bird Wad isn’t new, either, but it is in regard to 2 ¾-inch 12-gauge in No. 4 and 6 shot sizes. These come with cellulose-based over-powder wad construction, which is more biodegradable.
Handgun carriers should be pleased to see new offerings in key calibers, such as 10mm Auto, 32 H&R, 45 Colt, and more.
For Handgun Carriers
Some hunters pack a sidearm for personal protection. Others might keep a handgun at home for personal defense. Regardless, in a tough spot, ammo must do its job. For handgun owners and enthusiasts, that translates to purchasing rounds that come backed by a reputable brand.
Federal HST: The HST line isn’t new, but it is now offered in 44 Rem Mag. It delivers better downrange energy than 10mm Auto and 357 Mag (all with a larger 230-grain bullet).
Federal Hydra-SHOK Deep: Likewise, Hydra-SHOK Deep isn’t new, but it is new for those carrying 32 H&R and 45 Colt. These provide exceptional terminal performance and better expansion and penetration.
Federal American Eagle: Another new addition, those packing 32 H&R now have access to the American Eagle line. Get closer to a competition or self-defense load without the hefty price tag.
Federal Power-SHOK HandGun: As with the other handgun loads on this list, the Power-SHOK line isn’t new, but it does have a new addition to the family. Now, get it for 10mm Auto, with better short-barrel performance in a jacketed hollow-point bullet.
New Guns for 2025
