New Federal Action Shotgun Review
Now that you have seen the sizzle reel, let’s get into it. The new Federal Action Shotgun 12 Gauge Round replaces the Gold Medal Grand for 3 Gunners, tactical shotgunners, and anyone requiring a rigid shotgun hull for performance. According to Federal’s Website, “The loads' roll crimp adds rigidity, improving cycling through both tube- and magazine-fed shotguns. The 1 1/8-ounce payload of high-quality No. 7.5 lead pellets is pushed out the muzzle at 1,235 fps. This velocity strikes the perfect balance—providing the power needed to knock down targets and the shoot-ability to run through a course with both speed and precision.”
Federal Action Shotgun 12 Gauge Features:
· Roll crimp adds rigidity for use in tube- and magazine-fed competition shotguns
· Plated steel head for reliable feeding and extraction
· 1 1/8-ounce payload of lead shot
· 1,235 fps velocity balances power, speed and precision
· Designed specifically for competition
· Offered in 200-round cases
Federal Action Shotgun 12 Gauge Specs:
· Gauge: 12 Gauge
· Shot Size: 7.5
· Muzzle Velocity: 1235 fps
· Shotshell Length: 2 ¾” / 70mm
· Shot Charge: 1 1/8 oz
· Usage: Target Shooting
I got my first look at this unique round when I found a bunch of prototype hulls lying on the ground behind 3 Gunner, Federal Shooter, and local phenom Josh Froelich. The first thing you notice when you see the roll crimp for the first time is that this is not a normal 12-gauge round. Federal has rolled a clear plastic circle into the crimp to improve the hull rigidity on the business end of the round. Anyone that has left their shells out in the sun, or worse, loaded in a 20-round VEPR Magazine on a hot day knows that malfunctions are in their near future. In my experience, this innovative crimp mitigates this issue beautifully.
The Federal Action Shotgun 12 Gauge hit the market in June, and we got our first 10 cases shortly after that (Thank you, Federal). I immediately bought 2 cases for testing. Cases are packed with 200 loose rounds in a plastic bag. While this is a little unconventional in packing and numbers, it makes sense for the action shotgunner who is used to high round counts and isn’t concerned about shooting in multiples of 25. I dumped 100+ rounds into a slug case box I had in my truck and put the entire thing in my range box – good to go.
After setting up three stages in 90+ degree weather, I finally got a chance to put the rounds to the test. Even in the high heat, they performed 100% in my Dissident Arms KS-12 and a Benelli M2 modified for 3 gun. They cycle very smoothly in the gun, and while they feel a touch softer under recoil than my traditional 1250 Winchester AAs, I had no problem knocking down heavy pipes between 10 and 20 yards with a modified choke.
Federal Action Shotgun in Action [VIDEO]
This brings us to the price and the one negative with the Federal Action Shotgun 12 Gauge. Compared to the traditional go-to-round for box-fed shotguns, Winchester AAs, Federal Action Shotgun is more expensive. With a little luck, the price will decrease as the manufacturing novelty wears off, Federal commits to larger numbers, and the economy of scale kicks in. Until then, here is what you can expect compared to the AAs.
Prices as of June 24th, 2023:
· 250 Rounds Winchester AA 1250 fps
o MSRP: $144.00 (0.56 pr)
o Retail: $129.90 (0.51 pr)
· 200 Rounds Federal Action Shotgun 1235. Fps
o MSRP: $164.99 (0.82 pr)
o Retail: $124.95 (0.62 pr)
If you aren’t shooting on a budget and want the best round in your mags, this is it, even if by a little. The hull design is worth the dollars, and the slightly smoother ride is just icing on the cake. If you are on a budget, I recommend looking to Winchester AAs, which is very reliable for me, or even less expensive options that may cause the occasional malfunction. I will continue shooting the Federal Action Shotgun when it matters and when I can afford it. I think it is a superior round, and I didn’t get into shooting Open Class 3 Gun to save money. Your mileage may vary.