6 New Shotgun Loads for 2026 (3 are Turkey Loads)

With turkey season just a few months away, even closer for some areas, it is time to start making plans and gathering gear. This includes determining the best turkey load for dropping gobblers.

A good turkey load needs to have a tight, consistent pattern that can reach out to 40 yards, maybe a little further. It also needs enough dense pellets to deliver many lethal hits to the head and neck. Copper-plated lead works, as does HEVI-Shot. Of course, TSS pellets have been popular since its introduction by Federal Premium.

Turkey Loads for 2026

While a good hunter can be successful with any decent turkey load, it is beneficial to take advantage today’s ammunition technology to increase chances. Here are three new turkey loads for 2026, two of which are part of collaborations and one of those is an anniversary celebration.

Federal Premium Realtree 40th Anniversary

It is hard to believe that it has been 40 years since Bill Jordon changed turkey hunting with his realistic camouflage. Since then, he has turned Realtree into more than just camouflage; it’s a lifestyle brand. And since Jordan introduced his vertical bark with horizontal leaves pattern at SHOT, it is fitting that Federal Premium introduced Realtree 40th Anniversary turkey loads at SHOT.

These limited-edition turkey loads come in both Grand Slam and Heavyweight TSS versions, both featuring Realtree camo on the box. The TSS come with Realtree’s Legacy pattern, while the Grand Slam box is covered in the original Realtree. Grand Slam comes in 3-inch, 12 and 20 gauge with No. 5 shot. TSS is available in 12, 20 and 410, all with 3-inch chambers. Might be a good spring to get your grand slam with Grand Slam.

Remington Final Strut

Turkey load names always seem to be so fitting to the purpose. Remington Ammunition’s Final Strut is no different in that regard. It will end a gobbler’s final strut.

With Final Strut, hunters get to choose from four turkey loads, all of which contain heavy offerings of tungsten pellets. These dense pellets retain energy at longer distances. This provides hunters a little more distance when birds lock up.

Final Strut is available in 12 and 20 gauge, both for 3-inch chambers. The 12-gauge rounds come with 2 ounces of tungsten pellets in either No. 6 or No. 7 shot. It also comes in two 20-gauge options, both for 3-inch chambers, featuring 1.25 ounces of pellets in No. 6 or No. 7 shot.

Rob Roberts Limited Edition Heavyweight TSS

Partnerships seem to be a theme this year, as Federal Premium has also teamed up with Rob Roberts Custom Gun Works to introduce four limited-edition Heavyweight TSS turkey loads. These loads come right out of Federal’s Custom Shop.

Roberts used pattern analyzers to develop when he considers to be the ideal turkey load. Federal Premium built that load using a spherical buffer. This buffer increases pellet count within a 10-inch circle, creating an extremely consistent pattern. These loads will be available in 12 and 20 gauge for 3-inch chambers. The 12-gauge rounds come with either No.7 or No. 9, both containing 2 ounces of TSS pellets. The 20-gauge options are the same but with 1 5/8 ounces of pellets.

Other Shotgun Loads for 2026

It has been 250 years since America declared its independence and became a country. It worked because Americans were armed and willing, showing the importance of the 2nd Amendment. Federal Premium and Remington Ammunition is celebrating that defiance with limited-edition ammunition runs.

Top Gun 250th Commemorative

To mark the 250th birthday of the United States, Federal has released a special run of its Top Gun target loads. The 12-gauge loads contain 1 1/8 ounces of 8 shot flying at 1145 fps. This commemorative ammunition, however, comes in a box decorated with fireworks, stars, stripes and the Statue of Liberty.

Federal’s Top Gun shotgun target loads use a Podium wad that’s customized for straight-wall hulls. It also has an exclusive compression zone that cushions the payload at ignition for better patterns and softer shooting.

Federal is also putting out 250th Commemorative ammunition in American Eagle and Champion target loads in .22 LR, .45 ACP, .30-06 and .45-70. These commemorative loads work at the range but would also look great in a display.

Remington “We The People”

Remington Ammunition is also celebrating 250 years of freedom with its new We The People ammunition lineup. This is Remington’s way of honoring the grit, tradition and freedom that have defined this country for generations.

Remington’s We The People offerings include a mix of popular calibers packaged in 250-count boxes and limited-run commemorative buckets. The lineup spans rifle, handgun, rimfire and shotshell loads that Remington customers already trust for the range and the field. For 2026, the company presents these loads collector-focused format.

Federal All-American

Getting away from commemorative and turkey loads, Federal Premium has introduced a new line specifically for skeet and trap shooters. These competition loads feature a customized Podium wad that extracts peak performance from utilizing Federal’s straight-wall hull. They also use reliable primers, high-antimony lead shot and select propellant.

The 13 competition loads come in 2 3/4-inch, 12-gauge, featuring between 1 ounce to 1 1/8 ounces in 7.5, 8 or 9 shot. The 2 3/4, 20-gauge loads come in 7.5 or 8 shot with 7/8 ounces of pellets.

All-American is offered in popular payloads and velocities for modern trap and skeet competitions in 25-count boxes. It has everything needed, select shot, primers and propellent, to bust clays in competition and fun.