SHOT Show Handgun Ammo: The Best Ammunition for 2025

With President Trump hinting at national reciprocity, it’s not surprising to see a surge in handgun sales. As such, the industry has responded with numerous new handgun ammo offerings, which were released or at least introduced at the 2025 NSSF SHOT Show. Here is a comprehensive list of nearly every new load that we can expect to see this year.

Handgun Ammo from SHOT Show 2025

1 – DoubleTap SnakeShot Defense semi-auto

Blazing a trail in ammunition built for a multitude of defensive needs, DoubleTap is now offering its kitchen-sink payload rounds in 9mm Luger, .45 ACP, and 10mm Auto. Each cartridge is filled with a healthy dose of lead birdshot and topped with a mid-weight solid projectile.

For more information, please visit DoubleTapAmmo.com.

2 – DoubleTap 124-grain DT Lead-Free SC-HP

SHOT Show Handgun Ammo: DoubleTap 124-grain DT Lead-Free SC-HP.

Although popular, the 9mm Luger could benefit from a better penetrating bullet. DoubleTap’s SC-HP monolithic copper projectile beats FBI standards and performs the same even after meeting intermediate barriers. Now offered in a +P 124-grain loading, this chambering is even more well-rounded.

For more information, please visit DoubleTapAmmo.com.

3 – Federal Power-Shok Handgun

With the dollar dropping and handgun hunting rising, Federal has expanded its Power-Shok line to include four pistol chamberings. Now, handgun hunters can enjoy deep penetration and knock-down performance without breaking the bank.

For more information, please visit FederalPremium.com.

4 – Federal Hydra-Shok deep .32 H&R and .45 Colt

SHOT Show Handgun Ammo: Federal Hydra-Shok deep .32 H&R and .45 Colt.

Despite the advent of modern semi-automatics, there are still plenty of gun owners who prefer the simplistic nature of a revolver for self-defense. New for 2025, Federal has expanded the Hydra-Shok deep line to include a .32 H&R and a .45 Colt load.

For more information, please visit FederalPremium.com.

5 – Federal .44 Magnum HST

It’s hard to believe that it took until 2025 to see a .44 Magnum HST cartridge, but here we are. This 230-grain hollow-point load can handle anything on two legs and a good cross-section of 4-legged threats, too. Wheelgun aficionados seeking the ultimate self-defense ammunition are urged to check this one out.

For more information, please visit FederalPremium.com.

6 – Remington Core-Lokt Handgun

SHOT Show Handgun Ammo: Remington Core-Lokt Handgun.

Proven since 1949, Remington’s Core-Lokt bullets have served generations of whitetail hunters well. Introduced toward the end of 2024, Remington’s Core-Lokt Handgun line extends this performance to hunters who prefer to carry their game-getter in a holster. Currently offered in four popular cartridges, each is loaded with a heavy-for-caliber projectile.

For more information, please visit Remington.com.

7 – Remington Performance Wheelgun 22

Plinking with a .22LR revolver is one of the most enjoyable activities to be had on the range. This product only makes it better. Built with a truncated-cone projectile, this smooth-loading cartridge exudes minimal noise and recoil.

For more information, please visit Remington.com.

8 – CCI Uppercut .22 Magnum

SHOT Show Handgun Ammo: CCI Uppercut .22 Magnum.

The world is rethinking the use of .22 rimfire for self-defense, and as such, CCI is building ammo to support it. The follow-up to its .22LR introduction last year, Uppercut .22 WMR features a skived bullet to produce reliable expansion at handgun velocities.

For more information, please visit CCI-Ammunition.com.

9 – CCI Blazer Brass HP

Realistic practice is paramount to readiness, which is why it’s not a bad idea to train with what you carry. Making it affordable to do so is CCI’s new Blazer Brass Hollow-point load. Available in 9mm Luger, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, and 10mm Auto, it covers a wide cross-section of armed defenders.

For more information, please visit CCI-Ammunition.com.

10 – Fiocchi CovertX

SHOT Show Handgun Ammo: Fiocchi CovertX.

Although velocity might be stated on an ammunition box, shooting it over a chronograph through a carry pistol typically tells a different tale. Fiocchi’s new CovertX line is built for maximum energy through smaller pistols with reliable expansion. Initial offerings are in 9mm Luger, 380 ACP, .45 ACP, .38 SPL +P, and .357 Magnum.

For more information, please visit FiocchiUSA.com.

11 – Fiocchi Handgun Hunt

Fiocchi’s Hyperformance Hunting line has branched off to include handguns. These loads are built with the Barnes XPB bullet, which also offers a solution for lead-free territories. The first loads in this series were released at the show and include 10mm Auto, .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, and .45 Colt.

For more information, please visit FiocchiUSA.com.

12 – Fort Scott Claw Defense

SHOT Show Handgun Ammo: Fort Scott Claw Defense.

Neither man nor beast stands a chance against a flat-point solid projectile, which is why this is the base for Fort Scott’s new line of woodland defense ammunition. Claw Defense is currently being offered in 9mm Luger and 10mm Auto to accompany the hunter or hiker deep into the wilderness.

For more information, please visit FortScottMunitions.com.

13 – Fort Scott 5.7×28 TUI

In order for a lightweight, high-velocity bullet to transfer its energy into a target, it must stop. Typically, this is obtained by a mushrooming or fracturing design. Although effective, these projectiles do carry a risk of failure. Fort Scotts TUI (Tumble Upon Impact) gets the job done by instead rotating end over end in a liquid medium. This preserves their weight and penetrating ability. New for 2025 is a 5.7×28 load.

For more information, please visit FortScottMunitions.com.

14 – Underwood “Black Cherry” 10mm Auto

SHOT Show Handgun Ammo: Underwood “Black Cherry” 10mm Auto.

Underwood Ammunition has cracked the code to pack in as much weight as possible into a conventionally profiled projectile. Its hard-cast 10mm swaps a copper jacket for a thin polymer coating for the deepest penetration possible without the risk of lead fouling. New for 2025, it will be available in 200 and 220-grain offerings.

For more information, please visit UnderwoodAmmo.com.

15 – Hornady Backcountry Defense

Things can get hairy out there in a hurry, which is why Hornady has introduced Backcountry Defense. Built with the company’s Dangerous Game Handgun bullets, loads are available for cartridges as large as 500 S&W Magnum and suit the needs of guides the world over.

For more information, please visit Hornady.com.

16 – Sim-X Rangecore

SHOT Show Handgun Ammo: Sim-X Rangecore.

The follow-up to its lightweight high-velocity training ammo, Sim-X Rangecore ammunition offers a similar recoil pulse to its defensive fodder with inherent frangibility for safety on steel targets. It achieves this through a synthetic core pressed into a proprietary alloy jacket.

For more information, please visit SimXAmmo.com.

17 – Black Hills Honey Badger 32 ACP

With the 32 ACP seeing a resurgence, I appreciate seeing ammunition being created to make it more effective. Black Hills’ Honey Badger projectiles don’t rely on muzzle velocity to transfer energy. Instead, it harnesses rotational energy to stall the bullet within a liquid medium, thus violently transferring its energy.

For more information, please visit Black-Hills.com.

18 – Norma Rival

With ammunition prices starting to subside, match shooting is again becoming a reality. Meeting the demands of serious shooters head-on is Norma’s Rival. These low-recoiling 9mm loads come in a 147 and 158-grain variety and enable faster follow-up shots through a gentler recoil pulse. Both loads are also subsonic making them ideal for suppressor use.

For more information, please visit NormaUSA.com.

19 – Liberty Overwatch Training

Creating a non-expanding version of its defensive ammo, Liberty now offers Overwatch Training. This cartridge will replicate the recoil impulse of their hollow-points with similar POI when shot from a carbine.

For more information, please visit LibertyAmmo.com.