Federal Ammunition Expands Handgun Lineup for 2026 With Terminal Ascent Debut and New Hunting and Defense Loads

ANOKA, Minn. 

Federal Ammunition has announced a major expansion of its handgun ammunition portfolio for 2026, led by the introduction of its acclaimed Terminal Ascent technology to handgun hunting cartridges for the first time. The rollout includes more than six new handgun loads across premium hunting, value-based big game hunting, and personal defense categories, reinforcing Federal’s position as one of the industry’s most influential ammunition manufacturers.

The new products will make their public debut at the SHOT Show, taking place January 20 through January 23, 2026, at the Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. Federal will showcase the lineup at Booth No. 11838.

Terminal Ascent Technology Comes to Handgun Hunting

The centerpiece of the 2026 announcement is the launch of Federal Premium Terminal Ascent handgun hunting ammunition. Originally developed as a flagship long-range rifle platform, Terminal Ascent has been adapted to meet the unique ballistic challenges of handgun hunting, where impact velocities vary widely and often drop significantly at distance.

Federal engineers designed the new handgun bullets to deliver reliable expansion and deep penetration across a broad velocity range. Each round features a bonded, nickel-plated bullet for high weight retention, paired with a Slipstream polymer tip and an elastomer-filled nose cavity that promotes consistent expansion at both high and low velocities.

Three Terminal Ascent handgun loads will be offered in 2026:

• 10mm Auto, 203-grain
• .357 Magnum, 157-grain
• .44 Remington Magnum, 235-grain

The company says the new line is intended for serious handgun hunters pursuing medium to large game with revolvers or high-powered semi-automatic pistols, particularly in situations where shot distances and impact speeds can vary dramatically.

Power-Shok Adds Classic .45 Long Colt Load

Federal is also expanding its long-standing Power-Shok handgun hunting lineup, widely recognized for its traditional blue box packaging and value-oriented positioning. The new addition is a .45 Long Colt, 235-grain load.

Power-Shok handgun ammunition uses a standard jacketed hollow-point bullet designed to deliver dependable terminal performance on big game without the cost of bonded or premium projectiles. Federal notes that the new .45 Long Colt load is especially relevant for hunters using modern revolvers or lever-action carbines chambered in the historic cartridge, which has seen renewed interest in recent years.

Punch Personal Defense Grows With New 9mm Option

For civilian self-defense, Federal is adding a new load to its Punch Personal Defense line, which is engineered specifically for common real-world defensive encounters rather than law enforcement barrier testing protocols.

The new offering is a 9mm Luger, 115-grain load. This lighter bullet complements existing heavier Punch options and is designed to deliver higher muzzle velocities, approximately 1,180 feet per second, along with rapid, reliable expansion. Federal says the load is well suited for subcompact and concealed-carry pistols, where controllability and terminal performance are critical.

Unlike Federal’s HST line, which is designed to meet FBI barrier penetration standards, Punch ammunition is tuned for open-air civilian self-defense scenarios, reflecting the most likely conditions faced by everyday carriers.

Broader Industry Context

The handgun expansion is part of a much larger product year for Federal. The company has also announced the launch of more than 20 new centerfire rifle loads for 2026, including additions to its subsonic offerings, as well as approximately 25 new shotshell products. The breadth of the rollout underscores Federal’s continued investment in product development across shooting disciplines.

Federal Ammunition operates as part of The Kinetic Group, which is owned by CSG, a globally diversified industrial group based in Prague, Czech Republic. Despite changes at the corporate level, Federal continues to maintain its primary manufacturing and innovation hub in Anoka, Minnesota, where it has been headquartered since its founding in 1922.

Looking Ahead

Federal officials say additional specifications and availability details for the new 2026 handgun ammunition will be released on the company’s website shortly after SHOT Show. Consumers can also sign up to receive notifications about new product availability, promotions, and rebates through Federal’s email subscription service.

Federal ammunition products are sold through authorized dealers nationwide and online. More information is available at federalpremium.com.

MinneapoliMedia