Among the newer trends in waterfowl hunting ammo is the “layered” load, and HEVI-Shot leads the way with its new HEVI-Hitter shells, complementing its already established HEVI-Metal Xtreme layered options.
HEVI-Metal Xtreme non-toxic shells are layered with pellets of two different sizes but with similar down-range ballistics, such as size 2 tungsten and size BB steel. They perform better than bismuth/steel or all-bismuth loads, yet are less expensive than all-tungsten loads.
At the same time, they still include the denser, harder-hitting tungsten pellets. These loads feature a 30/70 mix, with 30% of the total payload weight in tungsten pellets layered over 70% steel shot.
For the new HEVI-Hitter waterfowl ammo offerings, HEVI-Shot layered up some shells with two types of shot of the same size, such as No. 4 pellets made of 12 g/cc tungsten and No. 4 pellets made from precision steel, with 20% of the load’s weight in tungsten, and 80% in steel. I tested and evaluated this load in 12 gauge.
The No. 4 tungsten and No. 4 steel pellets have different down-range ballistics, resulting in a load with the advantage of more powerful hits on target, thanks to the tungsten pellets. The steel pellets round out the shot pattern.
HEVI-Hitter Testing With Beretta’s New AX800 Suprema
Using Beretta’s new AX800 Suprema, I ran the HEVI-Hitter 4/4 shells, as well as two options in the HEVI-Metal Xtreme line. All shells were 3-inch loads.
To pattern the loads, I outfitted the shotgun with a Beretta Modified Choke. I shot the three loads at 30 yards, each option fired three times, into large sheets of paper with a center aiming point.
Then, I drew a 30-inch circle around the center. I tallied the number of pellet strikes within the circle and compared it to the total number of pellets in each load.
Generally, a pattern with 75% of the pellets hitting inside that circle is considered darned good. Of course, higher percentages are better. And these HEVI-Shot waterfowl loads definitely patterned much better.
HEVI-Hitter led the way, with 205 pellets within the circle out of the 222 total pellets in each shell for a 94% hit rate. My best pattern came in with 214 hits for an amazing 96% pattern.
I next switched over to the HEVI-Metal Xtreme layered with No. 4 tungsten and No. 1 steel in that standard 30/70 mix. All three shots scored at least a 90%, with the top pattern at 93%.
Last, I ran the HEVI-Metal Xtreme loaded with No. 2 tungsten pellets and BB steel pellets. My best pattern drilled 88 hits out of 94 pellets total—94%. All of these HEVI-Shot loads are speedy, too, with velocities of 1,400 to 1,500 fps.
The traditional HEVI-Shot wad used in the HEVI-Hitter shells delivers large patterns at close to moderate ranges, while the FliteControl Flex wad in the HEVI-Metal Xtreme loads is designed to produce optimized and consistent patterns at longer ranges.
HEVI-Hitter is offered in other 12-gauge options, plus various 16-gauge, 20-gauge and 28-gauge loads. MSRP for all HEVI-Hitters range from $49.99 to $50.99 for a 25-shell box.
HEVI-Metal Xtreme comes in 12- and 20-gauge loads and ranges from $59.99 to $61.99 for 25. Go here for more information on HEVI-Shot’s full catalog of hunting ammo options.
