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

Olmsted Shooting 110 Trail Blazer
Olmsted Shooting 110 Trail Blazer

New for 2026: Savage 110 Trail Blazer

Leading off Savage's line of next-generation Model 110s comes the 110 Trail Blazer, perfect showcase for the company's new AccuFit 2 stock. Learn more about it in this exclusive video with American Hunter Editor in Chief Scott Olmsted.

Hot from SHOT: Best Optics of 2026

In the market for a new optic? You're in luck. In this installment of our 2026 SHOT coverage, we tasked experienced hunter and longtime contributor Brad Fenson with rounding up the best new optics of 2026. Read on to see what made his exacting cut.

New for 2026: EAA Balikli Blue Label O/U

This year, EAA has debuted the latest in its line of imports, with the Balikli Blue Label Over/Under shotgun.

Hot from SHOT: The Best New Hunting Rifles for 2026

The annual SHOT Show in Las Vegas is a launch pad for many new firearm platforms. Here is a list of the best new hunting guns arriving in 2026.

New for 2026: Hornady American Whitetail Tipped

Hornady’s American Whitetail ammo line has been a huge success, offering a no nonsense combination of Hornady’s InterLock and their excellent brass cases. Deer hunters now have even more to be happy about, with the release of the Hornady American Whitetail Tipped.

First Look: Galco Brush Hog Belt Holster

Galco has launched the Brush Hog Belt Holster, to protect hunters' pistols from nature and the elements while keeping them ready for quick action in the field.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.