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Every year ammunition manufacturers across the globe work to design, produce, and market ammo that’s better than the world has previously seen. Most of the new offerings debut at the SHOT Show every January. Here are the most exciting new cartridges and loads for 2023.
Hornady 7mm PRC
This cartridge actually debuted in October (standard timing at Hornady), but this is the first time the cartridge has seen the SHOT Show. It’s the newest member in Hornady’s fantastically popular Precision Rifle Cartridge family, specifically designed for optimal performance with today’s modern, highly aerodynamic, superbly accurate projectiles. Many ballisticians and shooters consider the 7PRC the best magnum 7-millimeter cartridge. Currently available loads include a 175-grain ELD-X load going 3000 fps with a G1 BC of .689, a match load shooting a 180-grain ELD-M at 2975 FPS with a G1 BC of .796, and a lead-free 170-grain CX hunting load in Hornady’s Outfitter line sporting a muzzle velocity of 3000 and G1 BC of .596. If you’re a ballistic geek or serious rifle shooter, you’ll recognize how remarkable those numbers are.
Learn more about the 7PRC in the review by Outdoor Life‘s shooting editor, John B. Snow.
Read Next: Best 7mm PRC Rifles
Remington 360 Buckhammer
Designed for deer hunting in states that only allow slugs or straight-wall cartridges and optimized for use in lever-action rifles, this interesting new cartridge provides velocity and energy similar to the legendary .30-30 (the 360 BHMR’s parent case), shooting .358-inch diameter 180 to 200-grain bullets at 2200 to 2400 fps. Currently, two loads are available from Remington topped with their popular round nosed Core-Lokt projectiles, and two loads from Federal featuring Power-Shok bullets. This new cartridge will be fun and effective out to 200-plus yards on deer-sized game. Rifles chambered in the new 360 Buckhammer are available from Henry.
Learn more about the 360 Buckhammer in the review by Outdoor Life‘s shooting editor, John B. Snow.
Premier Long Range Ammo from Remington
Touted as the highest quality ammo Remington has ever produced, this all-new offering is tailored for accuracy and long-range terminal performance. Loaded with Speer’s new Impact bullet, these bullets are jacketed using an electro-chemical plating process just like Federal’s popular and highly accurate Fusion lineup. The Impact bullet also features Federal’s patented Slipstream tip to ensure reliable expansion, even at long range and low velocity. Initially available in seven chamberings including 6.5 CM, .270 Winchester, 7mm Rem. Mag, .308 Win, .30-06 Springfield, .300 Win. Mag, and .300 RUM.
Black Hills Ammunition 10mm Honey Badger
High-capacity 10mm semi-auto handguns are becoming the preferred carry weapon for protection against big, dangerous bears. Typical heavy-hitting 10mm ammo is loaded with 200-grain projectiles because the extra weight has been necessary for deep penetration on heavy-boned beasts. Now, Black Hills is offering 10mm ammo loaded with their all-copper Honey Badger projectiles, which feature fluting that activates a hydraulic response upon impact. This creates a brutal temporary wound cavity while penetrating like your mother-in-law’s stare. The beauty of these bullets is that they weigh significantly less than traditional 10mm bear bullets, with the result that they are easier to shoot well while providing higher velocity. This load comes topped with a 115-grain Honey Badger bullet traveling at over 1600 fps, and is touted to provide better penetration and terminal performance than a .44 Magnum revolver shooting 240-grain bullets. And it’s more controllable, with less recoil and up to 2.5 times the number of rounds on tap. I’ve used Honey Badger ammo, and it’s awesome.
Read Next: Best 10mm Ammo
Black Hills 6.5 PRC and 6mm ARC with Hornady ELD-X
I’ve been a fan of Black Hills ammo since the first time I shot a group with it. Built in South Dakota, it’s accurate, reliable, and thoroughly American. Now, Black Hills has added hunting loads in two thoroughly American cartridges, topped with Hornady’s popular ELD-X projectiles.
Shooting a 103-grain ELD-X bullet with a G1 BC of .512 at 2600 fps from an 18-inch barrel, the 6mm ARC is tailored for use in MSR-type rifles and offers significantly better downrange velocity and energy than your standard 556/.223.
The 6.5 PRC load sends a 143-grain ELD-X bullet with a G1 BC of .625 at velocities around 2960 fps. This is an excellent choice for deer and pronghorn-sized game and will be effective well beyond the distance most hunters should shoot.
CCI Clean-22 Hyper Velocity
One of the biggest challenges shooters meet when using high-performance .22 rimfire loads is keeping fouling at bay, especially when shooting a suppressed weapon. This new Clean-22 load from CCI addresses that challenge, providing a hot yet clean load going 1550 fps. The 31-grain lead round-nosed bullet features a purple polymer coating that reduces leading in the barrel and doesn’t leave residue. Touted to reduce lead fouling in silencers by 60 to 80 percent, this load will be welcomed by anyone who enjoys shooting suppressed.
Barnes Pioneer Lever Gun and Revolver Ammunition
Optimized for lever-guns and revolvers, this brand new line of ammunition from Barnes will feature two different loads in each chambering: one loaded with the all-copper bullets Barnes is famous for, and another using a heavy-for-caliber jacketed lead core Barnes Original bullet that’s heretofore only been available in component form. Initial offerings in handgun cartridges will include the .357 Magnum loaded with a 140-grain XPB and a 180-grain Barnes Original, and the .45 Colt loaded with a 200-grain XPB and a 250-grain Barnes Original. Initial offerings in rifle cartridges will include the .30-30 Winchester loaded with a 150-grain TSX and a 190-grain Barnes Original, and the .45-70 loaded with a 300-grain TSX and a 400-grain Barnes Original. Classic firearms in lever-action and revolver form are popular choices for today’s recreational shooter and hunter, and these loads will make welcome additions to your repertoire of ammunition.
Read Next: Best Lever Action Rifles
Winchester Big Bore Handgun Hunting Ammo
Brand new from Winchester, Big Bore pistol ammo is tailor-made for hunting and self-defense with magnum-sized handguns. Big Bore features a new semi-jacketed hollow point bullet designed for extra penetration with dramatic expansion and stopping power. It’s initially available in seven different cartridges: 158-grain .357 Mag, 240-grain .44 Rem Mag, 240-grain 10mm Auto, 250-grain .45 Colt, 250-grain 454 Casull, 250-grain 460 S&W Mag, and 350-grain 500 S&W Magnum.
Browning Maxpoint Deer Load
Designed for deer hunting in the East and out West, the new MaxPoint line from Browning features heavy, newly designed rapid-expansion polymer-tipped bullets meant to penetrate deeply and retain weight nicely. The MaxPoints are loaded into nickel-plated shell cases and available in 10 different cartridges including the .243 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .270 Winchester, 6.8 Western, .308 Winchester, .30-30 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .300 Win. Mag, and .300 WSM.
Winchester 35 Whelen
There’s nothing new about the classic 35 Whelen, or Winchester’s Power Point ammo, except that they’re newly married. This is great news for hunters in certain states like Louisiana and Mississippi where “primitive” hunting seasons allow hunters to use the 35 Whelen for deer. Sporting a 200-grain projectile traveling an estimated 2900 fps, this cartridge is an absolute thumper on big game and easily capable of reaching out to 300 or 400 yards. This load will be a real asset to Southern primitive-season hunters.
Hevi Bismuth
Both Federal and Remington will be loading bismuth loads this year using pellets from their sister company Hevi-Shot. Hevi-Shot’s rise came from its expertise in metallurgy. The brand is known for creating a tungsten–iron-nickel pellet that was denser and deadlier than steel. But Hevi-Shot mixes a bismuth alloy as well (which includes tin, nickel, and some other proprietary materials). Federal says its new bismuth loads, which use these Hevi Bismuth pellets, will fracture less than competitors’ loads (more on this later), pattern better at the range, and kill birds more effectively in the field. I got a chance to field test the load extensively this fall and you can read my full review on Federal Hevi Bismuth here. The main difference between the Remington and Federal bismuth loads (besides components) is that Federal will be utilizing it’s Flitecontrol Flex wad. Both are available in 12-gauge with a variety of different payload options. -Alex Robinson
Hevi Metal Extreme
This is a stacked load from Hevi Shot that utilizes 30 percent original HEVI-Shot (12 g/cc density tungsten) over 70 percent steel pellets. The idea is that the load allows you to shoot some extremely dense and deadly pellets with out having to pay the higher price of a full tungsten load. The load also utilizes Federal’s FliteControl Flex wad, with the promise of tight patterns. It should be available this fall in a variety of configurations. -Alex Robinson
