The NSSF Shot Show marks the kick-off to a fresh year of guns, gear, and accessories. As technology advances, firearms and optics become increasingly adept at meeting their intended purposes. This, of course, is only limited by their ammunition, which is why I consider these introductions to be the most crucial for progress. Souring the showroom floor for the best new rifle ammo for 2025, here are 23 new loads set to enhance the rifle shooter’s experiences.

Best New Rifle Ammo for 2025

Federal 7mm Backcountry

By far, the biggest news on the floor was Federal’s new 7mm Backcountry. Built from a proprietary steel alloy, the Backcountry’s case can handle pressure in excess of 80,000 PSI, breaking the 3,000 FPS mark out of a paltry 20-inch barrel. (federalpremium.com)

Federal HammerDown .22 LR

As last year was “the year of the lever gun,” it’s nice to see that this year is the year of feeding them. Federal’s HammerDown line is built for peak accuracy and feeding in this classic action style and is now available in .22 LR. (federalpremium.com)

Remington .300 HAMR

Working directly with Bill Wilson of Wilson Combat, Remington has expanded its classic Core-Lokt line to include a .300 HAMR load. Featuring a 125-grain pointed soft-point bullet, this heavy-hitting AR round is good medicine for hogs, whitetail deer, and any medium game. (remington.com)

Remington 400 Legend

Also added to the Core-Lokt line is a new 400 Legend load. In an effort to bring more potency to straight-walled cartridges, this big bore legend is built with a 200-grain PSP to bring nearly anything that walks in North America to its knees in a single shot. (remington.com)

Fiocchi SBR Enhanced

With the widespread use of short-barreled rifles and large-format pistols, it’s nice to see loads built explicitly for them. Fiocchi’s SBR line pulls top velocity out of reduced-length launch tubes, ensuring accuracy and an ethical harvest from smaller packages. Initial offerings will be in .223 Rem, .308 Win. and .300 BLK. (fiocchiusa.com)

Fiocchi TTSX Hyperformance Hunt

Stepping up to lead-free performance, Fiocchi is now loading a line of ammunition featuring Barnes Tipped Triple-Shock eXpanding bullet. This monolithic copper pill is designed for deep penetration, unburdened expansion, and full compliance with hunting locales that outlaw lead. (fiocchiusa.com)

Hornady .338 ARC

Although announced in the fall of 2024, the 2025 SHOT show was the first time most shooters had the chance to see the .338 ARC cartridge. Built to pick up where .300 BLK leaves off, this round offers more downrange energy while remaining impossibly quiet. (hornady.com)

Hornady 6 GT

With PRS-style shooting and completion on the rise, Hornady is now offering one of the only factory-loaded options for the 6 GT cartridge. Created by George Gardner of GA Precision, this flat-shooting, low-recoiling 6mm has earned top honors in matches across the globe. (hornady.com)

CCI 22 Suppressor Max

Designed for subsonic flight even when fired through elongated rifle barrels, CCI’s new Suppressor Max yields minimal noise with maximum potency. Its specialized hollow point bullet is built to fracture on contact, ensuring performance despite lower impact velocities. (cci-ammunition.com)

Winchester 400 Legend Deer Season XP

Striking the balance between 450 Bushmaster and 300 Legend, Winchester’s 400 Legend is now available in Deer Season XP. This lineup features the biggest tip in its class, which translates to harder impacts and larger wound channels. (winchester.com)

Browning 28 Nosler Max Point

Expanding on polymer-tipped performance, Browning’s Max Point line welcomes a 140-grain 28 Nosler load. This lightning-fast cartridge excels in the field, as it’s capable of delivering lethal performance at extended ranges. (browningammo.com)

Berger 30-06 Springfield

A cartridge doesn’t stay in mainstream existence for over 100 years unless it’s truly something. Keeping 30-06 Springfield alive and well are Berger’s new 168 and 185-grain Classic Hybrid Hunter Loads. Built with Vihtavuori powder and Lapua cases, you can expect peak performance out of this venerable game-getter. (bergerbullets.com)

Berger 300 Norma Mag

After being adopted by the military as the Advanced Sniper Rifle round, the 300 Norma Mag has enjoyed a meteoric rise in popularity. New for 2025, Berger has announced a 245-grain Long Range Hybrid Target load alongside a 300-grain Hybrid OTM Tactical load. Both designs promote topmost accuracy and consistency with maximum reloadability. (bergerbullets.com)

Underwood 8.6 Blackout

It’s taking some time to gain steam, but the 8.6 Blackout is starting to get there. Underwood’s new 300-grain hollow point load smacks whatever gets in front of it while remaining gentle on the shoulder and ears. Nickle-plated cases ensure reliable cycling, natural lubricity, and enhanced low-light visibility. (underwoodammo.com)

Underwood 30-06 Tipped GameKing loads

It would appear what’s old is new again with as many .30-06 loads that we are seeing. Joining the ranks are Underwood’s 150 and 180-grain Tipped GameKing loads. This bullet combines the accuracy of Sierra’s MatchKing projectile with the lethality of its GameKing in a neat little polymer-tipped package. Loaded by Underwood, you can expect them to perform exactly as prescribed. (underwoodammo.com)

Eley Ultra Extreme Long Range .22LR

The outer limits of a rimfire cartridge’s range continue stretching by the day, and we have products like this to thank for it. Pressing out beyond 100 yards is child’s play for Eley’s Ultra load, which boasts extreme long-range accuracy out of precision .22LR rifles. (eleyammunition.com)

Global Ordnance 5.45 x 39

With the military surplus of this classic AK-74 round drying up, it’s nice to see a fresh import making its way to our shores. Global Ordnance’s load retains a conventional full-metal jacket projectil, loaded into boxer-primed brass cases for reloadability. (globalordnance.com)

Fort Scott 8.6 TUI

Expansion isn’t the only way to procure terminal performance, as its main function is stopping the projectile. Fort Scott’s Tumble Upon Impact line flips its bullets end over end when they meet resistance, violently transferring energy through an elongated and irregular wound channel. The massive 8.6 Blackout adds to the family. (fortscottmunitions.com)

Aguila Mag Pack 5.56

If AR magazines take 30 rounds, why does most 5.56 ammo come in 20 or 50-round packs? Correcting the math is Aguila’s new 30-round boxes of 55-grain 5.56 NATO ammo. These are going to be a hit for ammo management or packing out for a match or training event. (aguilaammo.com)

DoubleTap 6 ARC

It looks like the 6 ARC is here to stay, as seemingly a new company jumps on the bandwagon every year. New for 2025 is DoubleTap’s loads, featuring a bonded 90-grain bullet. This is perfect for medium game or varmints that you want to ensure don’t return. (doubletapammo.com)

Black Hills M1200-C 6.5 Creedmoor

The commercial version of the round built explicitly for the Military’s MRGG-S (Mid-Range Gas Gun-Sniper) rifle, this 140-grain load serves long-range precision and is available in large lots for consistency. (black-hills.com)

Black Hills 7.62×51 110 Gr. Barnes TSX

Designed for Law Enforcement but an excellent all-around hunting cartridge, Black Hills’s new featherweight .308 Winchester load produces 3,000 fps from a short 16” barrel with a reduced chance of overpenetration and only marginal recoil. (black-hills.com)

Black Hills .300 Blackout 205 Gr. Sierra GameKing

After doing some work with this projectile last year, I’m excited to see a major manufacturer loading it. Built to expand at subsonic velocities, this 205-grain pill is good medicine for medium game and is so quiet all that you can expect to hear is the thud of it whacking meat. (black-hills.com)

Norma 70-grain MLE 5.56

Expanding on its Military and Law Enforcement line, this 70-grain load utilizes a Barnes Monolithic TSX. This projectile benefits from a solid copper composition that doesn’t fracture or deform when it meets intermediate barriers nor loses valuable penetrating ability. (norma-ammunition.com)

Liberty Overwatch 6 ARC

The hits just keep on coming for 6 ARC. Liberty’s first loading of this cartridge features a 103- grain solid copper projectile flying at a respectable 2,750 feet per second. Between its weight, speed, and composition, this round is excellent for self-defense or putting meat on the table. (libertyammo.com)