“remington versa max”

Jeff Johnston has often heard that homeowners looking for a home defense round should use a shotgun “with birdshot” because it won’t penetrate walls and therefore can't hurt family members in other rooms. But does that theory really hold up?

After decades of creating turkey loads designed to deliver the goods at several dozen paces, this spring Federal Premium offers a line of ammo for when things get up close and personal.

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.

Spring typically means the end of the line for waterfowlers and the beginning of "duck depression." There is a way to squeeze a little more action out of your season: a spring snow goose hunt. Managing Online Editor Shawn Skipper spent a week hunting the reverse migration in South Dakota this spring, armed with Remington's Versa Max Waterfowl Pro and Federal Premium's Black Cloud shotshells. Find out how he fared with this gallery.

Check out the newest hunting guns and gear for 2012 exhibited at the 2012 NRA Annual Meetings in St. Louis, MO.