“7 shot”

Hevi-Shot's new Hevi-Hammer Dove loads feature 15 percent high-density bismuth and 85 percent precision steel pellets, delivering nearly 50 percent more downrange energy than loads consisting of all steel at 40 yards.

Thanks to advancements in ammunition and new, moderately priced shotguns, the once-obscure 28-gauge is now a top choice for hunts ranging from pheasants in CRP fields to bagging a trophy tom.

Iowa and other states are opening shotgun-only deer seasons to straight-walled cartridges like the .45-70 Gov’t., .444 Marlin and .450 Bushmaster. Here’s how to wring the most performance from their rainbow-like trajectories.

Primarily hunted in September, dove seasons generally extend well beyond those for popular big-game species. To maximize your chances of success, however, you’ll need to reconsider your gear and techniques.

Federal’s new Black Cloud TSS ammo blends the company’s super-dense Heavyweight TSS pellets with its existing Black Cloud steel FliteStopper pellets to maintain velocity farther, hit harder and penetrate deeper than any waterfowl load ever has.

Prohibited from using lead shot for upland or small-game hunting? Sacrifice nothing with Federal’s new Upland Steel loads.

Here are five no-nonsense loads that’ll ground even the most tenacious birds.

Holding on for more than a century, the 16-gauge is seeing renewed interest, thanks to an inflow of new shotguns and technological advancements in ammunition and components.

Looking for a chance to hunt the treasured Gould’s turkey? There’s a little ranch down in Sonora, Mexico, that may be the “X” that marks a spot rich in birds.