First Look: HEVI-XII Waterfowl .410-Bore

by
posted on November 2, 2023
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
MAIN Hevi XII 410

HEVI-Shot has released two new product line additions to its HEVI-XII Waterfowl lineup. The new load options are .410 bore, 1/2-ounce, 3-inch shotshells, in shot sizes No. 5 or 7, with a muzzle velocity of 1250 fps. Hevi-XII is the original 12-g/cc density, tungsten alloy recipe from Hevi-Shot.

“Everyone that has shot HEVI-XII has fallen in love with it, and now they can appreciate it in .410-bore shotguns,” said HEVI-Shot product manager Scott Turner. “Hevi-XII outperforms steel in every category. Smaller and more dense pellets penetrate deeper with more lethal pellets in a tighter pattern compared to shooting steel loads.”

HEVI-XII pellets can hit harder from a longer distance, thanks to the fact that its pellet material features a density of 12 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc). This means it is 53.8-percent denser than steel, which almost exactly doubles the downrange energy. Shooters can drop three shot sizes for the same lethality, resulting in 28-percent more devastating pellets on target. In fact, not only is HEVI-XII denser than steel, it is technically denser than classic lead, which weighs in at 11.34 g/cc.

HEVI-XII .410-bore is a welcome addition to HEVI-Shot's lineup, as the innovative formula has been a large driver in the surge of sub-gauge popularity for waterfowl and upland hunters alike. HEVI-XII 28-gauge options have proved downright devastating in the duck blind, and its .410 variation should closely follow suit. For those hunters—particularly in close timber—looking for less meat damage, noise and recoil while retaining lethality, HEVI-XII .410 is an incredibly solid choice. An additional benefit would be for youth hunters, who cannot yet handle the recoil of harder-charging big bores.

HEVI-Shot’s HEVI-XII .410-bore waterfowl ammunition is alloyed and loaded in Sweet Home, Oregon. For more information on all products from Hevi-Shot, visit hevishot.com. MSRP: $99.99 per 25-round box

Latest

Herman Shooting DD PCC 916
Herman Shooting DD PCC 916

#SundayGunday: Daniel Defense DD PCC 916

Whenever possible, take a new shooter and introduce them to America’s Rifle, the AR-15, because you never know where that first experience might lead. For Marty Daniel, it illuminated a path that would soon create Daniel Defense, one of the nation’s premier manufacturers of semi-automatic rifles. And for this range session, we’re diving into a carbine derived from Stoner’s AR-15 yet configured for pistol-caliber cartridges: the Daniel Defense DD PCC 916.

Screwworm Invasion Stalling at the Southern Border

The New World Screwworm (NWS) invasion, and the potentially devastating impact it could have on wildlife populations and the ranching industry has stalled, at least temporarily. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is confident enough in its defenses—coupled with the cooperation of officials in Mexico—that livestock from Mexico is scheduled to resume entry through the Douglas, Ariz., port on Aug. 24.

First Look: Apex Ammunition Dove Stratified Loads

Apex Ammunition has introduced dove loads in its Stratified line of shotshells. Featuring layered shot sizes of either L3 high-antimony lead or S3 steel pellets, the Dove Stratified series is designed to perform at variable ranges, with dense close- and mid-range patterns and increased terminal energy at longer distance.

Lightweight AR-10: Building a Hunt-Focused Backcountry Rifle (Part 2)

Welcome to Part 2 of the quest to build the lightest AR-10 possible. This section focuses on the upper (Part 1 featured the lower; Part 3 will focus on tuning the gun). No need to keep you waiting; if you want to see the premise or any qualifiers, check out Part 1. Let’s start the upper build.

First Look: Bear Ops Nekama II

Bear Ops has released the Nekama II, a purpose-built everyday carry knife.

Braves Defy Hunting & Fishing Night Scarcity in MLB

Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Atlanta Braves held a Hunting & Fishing Night in Truist Park. It’s back by popular demand for 2026, sponsored by RealTree, and takes place on Aug. 29, with ticket sales are helping fund conservation efforts in the state.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.