Unleashing Peak Performance for Upland Game: The Definitive Guide to Federal Game-Shok Heavy Field 12 Gauge Ammunition

Are you an avid upland game hunter searching for a truly reliable and effective ammunition choice that consistently delivers in the field? Do you often find yourself asking, "What's the best 12 gauge load for pheasants, grouse, or rabbits?" Or perhaps you need a versatile shell that performs exceptionally across a variety of challenging hunting scenarios, from dense woods to open fields. Look no further than the Federal Game-Shok Heavy Field 12 Gauge, specifically the H1236 variant. This meticulously crafted ammunition is engineered to provide hunters with the confidence and power needed for successful outings, offering a potent combination of shot size, velocity, and Federal's renowned manufacturing quality.

Whether your passion lies in chasing fast-flushing pheasants across a cornfield, navigating dense cover for elusive grouse, or pursuing quick-footed rabbits, the Federal Game-Shok Heavy Field H1236 is designed with your success in mind. It addresses the critical need for dependable knockdown power and consistent patterns, ensuring that when the moment of truth arrives, your shot performs exactly as expected.

Why Federal Game-Shok Heavy Field H1236 Stands Out for Upland Hunters

This specific load from Federal Premium Ammunition is more than just another box of shells; it's a testament to decades of ballistic expertise. Hunters who prioritize consistent performance and superior value will find the H1236 to be an indispensable part of their gear. Here’s what makes it a top-tier choice for dedicated upland enthusiasts:

• Optimized for Diverse Upland Game: From the resilient pheasant to the agile quail and the challenging chukar, its specifications are tailored to cover a broad spectrum of upland birds and small game.
• Reliable Cycling and Function: Engineered for smooth feeding and ejection in a wide array of 12-gauge shotguns, ensuring minimal disruptions during fast-paced hunting action.
• Consistent Pattern Density: Federal’s manufacturing precision results in uniform shot patterns, maximizing the chances of clean, ethical kills at varying distances.
• Dependable Ignition: Each shell is loaded with high-quality primers for sure-fire ignition, critical in diverse weather conditions often encountered in the field.
• Proven Muzzle Velocity: A robust 1255 feet per second (fps) ensures excellent energy transfer and a relatively flat trajectory, reducing the need for excessive lead on crossing targets.

Understanding the Key Specifications: Federal H1236 Decoded

To fully appreciate the capabilities of the Federal Game-Shok Heavy Field H1236, let's break down its core specifications and how each contributes to its outstanding field performance.

• Gauge: 12 Gauge: The 12 gauge is arguably the most popular and versatile shotgun gauge globally. Its broad appeal stems from its potent payload capacity and adaptability for various game and shooting disciplines. The Federal H1236 harnesses this power effectively, providing ample energy for upland species without excessive recoil for comfortable shooting during a long day afield.
• Shell Length: 2.75 inches: This is the standard chamber length for most 12-gauge shotguns, ensuring compatibility with a vast majority of firearms, including pump-actions, semi-automatics, and over/unders. This universal fit eliminates concerns about chambering issues and allows hunters to use their preferred shotgun confidently.
• Shot Weight: 1 1/8 oz (Ounces): A 1 1/8 ounce payload of lead shot offers an excellent balance between shot count and retained energy. This weight provides a sufficient number of pellets in the pattern for a high probability of striking vital areas, while also maintaining enough individual pellet energy for effective penetration on a variety of upland birds and small game. It's a sweet spot for versatility.
• Shot Material: Lead: For general upland hunting, lead shot remains a highly effective and economical choice in areas where its use is permitted. Its density ensures good energy retention and penetration.
• Shot Size: #6: The #6 lead shot size is a hunter's favorite for a reason, especially when targeting larger upland game birds.
  • For Pheasants: #6 shot provides the ideal combination of pellet energy to penetrate thick feathers and bone, ensuring a clean knockdown. Its size offers a good balance between pellet count and individual pellet energy.
  • For Grouse and Chukar: While slightly larger than some might use for these birds, #6 shot ensures robust energy transfer, especially important for challenging shots through light cover or at longer ranges. It minimizes cripples and maximizes the ethical harvest.
  • For Rabbits and Hares: The energy and pattern density of #6 shot are highly effective for these tougher-skinned small game animals, providing reliable stopping power.
  • For Quail: While #7.5 or #8 might be typical for quail, #6 can be surprisingly effective, particularly for larger or more distant quail, offering a bit more punch. It's often chosen for mixed-bag hunts where larger birds might also be present.
• Muzzle Velocity: 1255 fps (Feet Per Second): This velocity strikes an excellent balance. It’s fast enough to provide a relatively flat trajectory and reduce lead necessary for moving targets, yet it's not so fast that it compromises pattern density or significantly increases felt recoil. This speed ensures that pellets arrive on target with ample energy for decisive kills, reducing the chances of birds flying off wounded.
• Rounds Per Box: 25: Standard packaging, allowing hunters to purchase a convenient quantity for a day's hunt or practice session.
• Boxes Per Case: 10: A full case contains 250 rounds, perfect for season-long use or for stocking up on your preferred upland ammunition.
• Game Type: Upland: This clear designation indicates the shell's primary intended use, aligning perfectly with the needs of hunters pursuing birds like pheasants, grouse, quail, partridge, and even small game like rabbits and squirrels.
• Application: Hunting: Reiterates its design for field use, emphasizing its reliability and effectiveness in real-world hunting scenarios.

Optimized Performance for Varied Upland Game Situations

When you're out in the field, conditions can change rapidly. One moment you might be walking through open fields, the next you're pushing through dense brush. The Federal Game-Shok Heavy Field H1236 is built to handle this unpredictability.

• Consistent Patterning: Federal engineers these shells with attention to consistent patterning. This means that a predictable and dense cloud of #6 shot is delivered downrange, maximizing the effective spread and the number of pellets on target. Consistent patterns are crucial for achieving clean kills and reducing the number of missed shots, ultimately enhancing your hunting success rate.
• Effective Range: With a muzzle velocity of 1255 fps and the energy of 1 1/8 oz of #6 lead shot, this load offers an effective range suitable for typical upland hunting distances. It provides sufficient energy to humanely harvest birds at common flushing ranges, and even stretches a bit further for those challenging shots.
• Reliable Knock-Down Power: The combination of shot size and velocity delivers significant energy transfer upon impact. This ensures that birds are dispatched cleanly and efficiently, reducing the chances of crippled game and promoting ethical hunting practices. When a pheasant flushes hard or a grouse zips through the trees, you need ammunition that can reliably bring it down.
• Clean Burning Propellants: Federal utilizes propellants that burn cleanly, which translates to less residue buildup in your shotgun's barrel and action. This not only makes cleaning easier but also contributes to the longevity and consistent performance of your firearm over time.

Real-World Scenarios and Common Hunter Questions Addressed

Hunters often have specific questions when choosing ammunition. Let's explore how the Federal Game-Shok H1236 answers some of these common inquiries:

• "What's the best all-around 12 gauge ammo for mixed upland bird hunting?"
  The Federal Game-Shok H1236 is an excellent candidate for an "all-around" load. Its #6 shot size provides versatility across pheasants, grouse, chukar, and even rabbits, eliminating the need to switch loads frequently in the field.
• "Will these shells pattern well in my shotgun?"
  While individual shotgun performance can vary, Federal's reputation for quality control means these shells are manufactured to precise standards, promoting consistent patterns across a wide range of chokes and barrel configurations. It's always recommended to pattern your shotgun with your chosen ammunition, but the H1236 generally performs very well.
• "How does the 1255 fps velocity impact my lead on fast-flushing birds?"
  The 1255 fps muzzle velocity is a moderate to high speed for upland loads. It flattens the trajectory slightly compared to slower loads, which can make your lead calculations a bit easier, especially on longer shots or quick crossing birds. It provides that extra bit of zip to ensure the shot string reaches the target quickly.
• "Are Federal Game-Shok loads reliable in cold weather?"
  Federal's commitment to quality includes using reliable primers and propellants designed to perform consistently across a range of temperatures. Hunters can generally trust Federal ammunition to ignite and perform reliably even in colder conditions often encountered during late-season upland hunts.
• "Is the recoil manageable for a full day of hunting?"
  At 1 1/8 oz of shot and 1255 fps, the recoil of the Federal Game-Shok Heavy Field H1236 is certainly noticeable, as with most 12-gauge field loads. However, for most hunters, it's a manageable and typical recoil level for a full day of upland hunting, especially when shooting a moderately weighted shotgun. It strikes a good balance between power and shootability.

The Federal Difference: A Legacy of Trust and Innovation

Federal Premium Ammunition has long been a cornerstone of the shooting sports and hunting industry. Their commitment to quality, innovation, and hunter satisfaction is evident in every shell they produce. The Game-Shok series, in particular, has earned a reputation for dependable performance in the field, making it a go-to choice for generations of upland hunters.

When you choose Federal Game-Shok Heavy Field H1236, you're not just buying ammunition; you're investing in the expertise of a brand that understands what hunters need. From the careful selection of components – including reliable primers, clean-burning propellants, and high-quality lead shot – to the meticulous assembly process, every step is geared towards ensuring that each round performs flawlessly when it matters most. This dedication to excellence translates directly into more successful and enjoyable hunting experiences for you.

For hunters who demand consistency, reliable stopping power, and excellent value, the Federal Game-Shok Heavy Field 12 Gauge with its #6 shot and 1255 fps velocity is an outstanding selection. It’s a testament to Federal’s legacy of providing hunters with the tools they need to achieve their goals in the field. This trusted ammunition is readily available for your next hunting adventure.

Discover the full range of Federal ammunition, including the Federal Game-Shok Heavy Field 12 Gauge H1236, at DEGuns.

Product Specifications Overview

Feature	Detail
Brand	Federal
Series	Heavy Field
Model	Game-Shok
Gauge	12 Gauge
Length	2.75"
Shot Material	Lead
Shot Size	6
Ounces	1 1/8 oz
Muzzle Velocity	1255 fps
Game Type	Upland
Application	Hunting
Rounds Per Box	25
Boxes Per Case	10

Identification Details

Code	Value
SKU	117020
MPN	H1236
UPC	029465002060