“shotshell”

As we sit on what amounts to the doorstep of the 2015 spring turkey season, large portions of the country either covered in snow, in the path of an oncoming storm, or both. Among a great many other things, harsh winter weather doesn't make it easy for a hunter to pattern their turkey load of choice.

It was around 9 a.m., and a dozen or so birds had decided that they’d make a close enough pass at our decoy spread to elicit a volley. I’d loosed two shells when my concentration was broken by something thumping down into the reeds beside me.

When Remington introduced its Versa Max semi-auto shotgun five years ago, hunters were impressed with its simple but effective VersaPort operating system that regulated the amount of gas required to cycle the action by using the length of the shotshell. Now the company has knocked about $400 off the MSRP to offer the more affordable Versa Max Sportsman, including one version made especially for turkey hunters.

Pair today’s newest, high-performance, turkey-specific ammunition with “premium,” aftermarket choke tubes and the 20 gauge now compares favorably with the mighty 12 gauge for tom-stopping performance.

Ever wonder just what goes into the production of a top-of-the-line shotshell? Here's your chance to get an inside look.

The Franchi Intensity, in many ways, delivers on its name. It capitalizes on some of the industry’s most respected technologies to reliably harness the most powerful shotshell payloads, and it does so in a slim, attractive package that betrays its middle-of-the-road price point. Hard to argue with any scattergun that offers both versatility and value.

Federal Premium and Primos Hunting having partnered to offer waterfowlers a chance to save money—and walk away with a free gift—this hunting season.

The iconic company is introducing a new generation of ammo for a new generation of hunters and shooters in the 21st century.