100 Years of Federal Ammunition
A Minnesota Beginning
Growing up in Minnesota, my earliest memory of Federal shotshells goes back nearly 50 years. As a teenager in the early ’70s, ducks and ruffed grouse were my first passions. The local sporting goods store sold Federal Hi-Power for ducks and game loads for grouse.
By age 16, I was shooting the newly introduced Federal Champion II loads in trap tournaments. I practiced twice a week, saving spent hulls to reload. A box of 25 Champion IIs cost $3.35 back then—a number I’ll never forget, and yes, I miss those days too.
From pheasant hunting in the 1980s, to discovering sporting clays in the ’90s, to FITASC competition in the 2000s, Federal Ammunition has always been part of my journey. Beyond producing reliable shells, I admired Federal’s unwavering support for USA Shooting Teams. Today, their investment continues—expanding to collegiate and high school programs to foster the next generation of shooters.
A Century of Quality and Innovation
Federal has been a cornerstone of American clay target shooting for a century. 2022 marked their 100-year anniversary, and their introduction of the HOA (High Over All) line shows their dedication to pushing performance forward.
Headquartered in Anoka, Minnesota, Federal is part of Vista Outdoors Incorporated. Since 1922, when Charles L. Horn founded the company, Federal has evolved from humble beginnings into the world’s largest producer of sporting ammunition.
Horn’s vision for quality, innovation, and service still guides the company. Today, Federal manufactures thousands of ammunition options across its Federal Premium and Federal® lines, ensuring versatility for hunters and competitors alike. Their legacy is not just about production—it’s about conservation partnerships and supporting the outdoor heritage we all cherish.
Historical Milestones
1922 – Federal Ammunition is founded by Charles Horn; paper hulls first used.
1933 – First skeet loads introduced.
1940 – Eight-point folded crimp introduced.
1970 – Federal shells win more Grand American Trap and National Skeet trophies than any other brand.
1972 – Becomes one of the nation’s largest ammo manufacturers.
1973 – Champion II plastic target shells and first steel shotshells introduced.
1978 – Premium shotshells and centerfire shells launched.
1980 – Gold Medal shotshell line introduced.
1990 – Gold Medal Ultramatch .22 rimfire launched.
1992 – USA Shooting’s Launi Meili wins Olympic gold with Federal ammo.
2003 – Tom Knapp, legendary exhibition shooter, joins Federal Premium.
2005 – Gold Medal Target line expands with new Sporting Clays loads.
2011 – Pink hull Top Gun Target loads launched to support breast cancer awareness.
2019 – Federal supports U.S. Shooting Team for 2020 Olympics.
2020 – Derrick Mein wins National Sporting Clays Championship with Gold Medal Paper.
2021 – Amber English & Vincent Hancock win Olympic gold in Tokyo using Federal Gold Medal shotshells.
2021 – Federal introduces High Over All competition load.
“Federal ammunition has made me a better competitor by providing me with the highest quality ammunition on the market, which includes the new Federal HOA. The Federal HOA is the most consistent shotshell I have ever fired.”
“Being on Team Federal has allowed me to compete across the country along with some of the best competitors in the world. The support from Federal and their staff is unmatched.”
— Payton Detavernier, Doane University ’24
The Iconic Federal Papers
Federal remains one of the last manufacturers of paper shotshells worldwide—and the only American producer. While plastic dominates modern production, paper hulls hold a nostalgic and practical appeal.
The process hasn’t changed much since 1922: paper strips are wound, cured, waxed, cut, and inspected. It’s labor-intensive, but the shooters who rely on Gold Medal Grand Paper shells in shoot-offs swear by their consistency.
From their unmistakable smell to their smooth performance, Federal Papers have stood the test of time. In 2021, the line expanded to include the popular 1-ounce 1290 fps load, a recipe that’s been turning heads among competitors who crave velocity in a paper hull.
The New HOA Lineup
Federal’s century of innovation now delivers the High Over All (HOA) line, built for clay target shooters.
1 1/8-oz, 1200 fps – Smooth and pleasant to shoot.
1-oz, 1250 fps – Light recoil with excellent breaks.
1-oz, 1290 fps – The new standard in 1-oz performance, and my personal favorite.
These loads feature a redesigned Federal hull and “podium” wad, creating a balance of reduced felt recoil and uncompromised target-crushing performance. The HOA proves that heavy recoil isn’t necessary to make a quality hit.
A Legacy Carried Forward
We shooters are passionate about our sport—whether it’s an afternoon on the back forty with family or chasing Olympic gold. For 100 years, Federal Ammunition has been there, providing the reliability, innovation, and support that keep American shooters and hunters at the top of their game.
