Federal Premium Wing-Shok Pheasant Forever High Velocity Ammunition: The Upland Hunter's Definitive Choice

For discerning upland bird hunters who demand peak performance and value conservation, the Federal Premium Wing-Shok Pheasant Forever High Velocity 16 Gauge ammunition stands as an unparalleled solution. This isn't just another shotgun shell; it's a meticulously engineered load designed to deliver consistent, devastating patterns while directly contributing to the preservation of vital hunting habitats. Whether you're pursuing the explosive flush of a rooster pheasant, the cunning evasion of a ruffed grouse, or the swift flight of a bobwhite quail, this ammunition is crafted to answer the call, ensuring effective and ethical harvests. Available for purchase at reputable retailers like DEGuns, this specific load (UPC: 029465026929, MPN: PF1636) is more than just a box of shells; it's a commitment to excellence in the field and a partnership in conservation.

Why Choose Federal Premium Wing-Shok Pheasant Forever for Your Upland Pursuits?

Hunters frequently ask, "What is the best ammunition for pheasant hunting?" or "Which 16 gauge shells offer the most reliable performance for upland birds?" The Federal Premium Wing-Shok Pheasant Forever High Velocity answer these questions comprehensively. This ammunition is specifically formulated for the unique demands of upland bird hunting, where quick, decisive shots are paramount and pattern density can mean the difference between a clean retrieve and a missed opportunity. Its design focuses on three core pillars: superior component quality, optimized ballistics for devastating on-target energy, and a significant contribution to wildlife habitat conservation through its partnership with Pheasants Forever.

The Resurgence of the 16 Gauge: A Hunter's Favorite

The 16 gauge shotgun holds a special place in the hearts of many upland bird hunters. Often referred to as the "Gentleman's Gauge," it strikes a superb balance between the lighter 20 gauge and the more powerful 12 gauge. This allows for lighter, more agile shotguns that are easier to carry over long distances in the field, yet still deliver ample payload and energy to effectively take down larger upland birds like pheasants. The 2.75-inch shell length of the Federal Premium Wing-Shok Pheasant Forever is standard for 16 gauge firearms, ensuring reliable cycling and compatibility with a wide array of shotguns, from classic side-by-sides to modern pump-actions and semi-automatics.

Choosing the right ammunition for your 16 gauge is crucial to maximizing its potential. The Federal PF1636 is specifically engineered to unlock the 16 gauge's inherent advantages, providing the perfect blend of pattern efficiency and knockdown power without the excessive recoil often associated with heavier 12 gauge loads. This makes it an ideal choice for hunters who appreciate the aesthetic and practical benefits of the 16 gauge platform, offering a comfortable shooting experience even during high-volume hunts.

Unrivaled Component Quality: The Foundation of Federal Premium

The performance of any ammunition begins with its components, and Federal Premium is renowned for its unwavering commitment to quality. The Wing-Shok Pheasant Forever High Velocity shells are built from the ground up with the finest materials, undergoing rigorous quality control at every stage of manufacturing.

• Primers: The ignition system is the heart of reliable ammunition. Federal's primers are subjected to exceptionally frequent and thorough inspections for both dimensional tolerances and precise charge weight. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that every single primer delivers consistent, reliable ignition shot after shot, critical for quick follow-up shots in fast-paced upland hunting scenarios. Hunters can trust that when the moment arrives, their ammunition will perform without fail.
• Propellants: The powders used in Federal Premium Wing-Shok loads are specially formulated to meet Federal's stringent specifications. These are not generic bulk powders; they are clean-burning, high-grade propellants. This ensures not only consistent ballistic performance—driving the 1 1/8 oz payload of #6 shot to a blistering 1425 feet per second—but also contributes to cleaner shotgun barrels, reducing residue buildup and simplifying post-hunt cleaning. The consistency and reliability of these powders translate directly into predictable shot placement and superior on-target energy.
• Hulls and Wads: While often overlooked, the hull and wad system are integral to a shell's performance. Federal Premium utilizes robust hull construction that withstands the pressures of high-velocity loads and provides excellent crimp retention. The specialized wads are designed to protect the shot column during its journey down the barrel, ensuring that the copper-plated lead shot maintains its spherical shape and delivers the tight, consistent patterns essential for effective upland hunting.

The Power of Wing-Shok Technology: Copper-Plated Lead Shot

What makes the Federal Premium Wing-Shok line particularly effective for upland birds? A key feature is the use of copper-plated lead shot. This advanced shot material offers several significant advantages over traditional lead shot:

1. Reduced Deformation: When a column of lead shot is propelled down the barrel, especially at high velocities, the pellets can deform due to friction and pressure. This deformation leads to "fliers" – pellets that deviate from the main pattern – and reduces overall pattern density. The copper plating on Wing-Shok shot acts as a protective layer, significantly reducing pellet deformation.
2. Superior Pattern Density: By minimizing deformation, copper-plated shot retains its spherical shape better, resulting in tighter, more uniform patterns downrange. For hunters, this means more pellets are concentrated within the vital zone of the target bird, increasing the likelihood of a clean, ethical kill.
3. Enhanced Penetration: The harder, more uniform copper-plated pellets maintain their energy better upon impact, leading to deeper penetration into the target. This is particularly crucial for hardy birds like pheasants, ensuring decisive knockdown power.
4. Cleaner Shooting: The plating also helps reduce lead fouling in the barrel, making for a cleaner shooting experience and easier maintenance of your prized 16 gauge shotgun.

The 1 1/8 oz payload of #6 shot is an optimized combination for upland hunting. Shot size #6 provides an excellent balance of pellet count and individual pellet energy for a wide range of upland species. It delivers enough pellets for dense patterns at typical hunting ranges while each pellet carries sufficient energy to dispatch birds effectively.

High Velocity Performance in the Field: 1425 fps

The "High Velocity" designation of these Federal Premium loads is not just a marketing term; it's a crucial performance attribute. With a muzzle velocity of 1425 feet per second (fps), these 16 gauge shells offer a flatter trajectory and reduced lead requirements compared to slower loads.

• Flatter Trajectory: A higher velocity means the shot reaches the target faster, dropping less over distance. This simplifies aiming, especially on fast-moving birds, and provides a wider margin for error in range estimation.
• Reduced Lead: For a flushing pheasant or a crossing grouse, every fraction of a second counts. The increased velocity means less forward lead is required on the target, making it easier for hunters to connect consistently, particularly on those challenging, long-range shots.
• Increased Downrange Energy: While velocity alone doesn't guarantee knockdown power, when combined with the 1 1/8 oz of copper-plated #6 shot, it translates to significant energy delivered to the target. This ensures that birds are brought down hard and humanely.

This high-velocity performance is a distinct advantage in the unpredictable and dynamic environment of upland hunting, where opportunities can arise and vanish in an instant.

Supporting Conservation with Every Shot: Pheasants Forever Partnership

Perhaps one of the most compelling reasons to choose Federal Premium Wing-Shok Pheasant Forever ammunition is its direct contribution to wildlife conservation. A significant portion of the proceeds from every box sold goes to support the vital mission of Pheasants Forever, Inc.

Pheasants Forever is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail, and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education, and land management policies and programs. By purchasing Federal PF1636 ammunition, you are directly investing in:

• Habitat Preservation: Funding initiatives to acquire, restore, and enhance critical pheasant and upland bird habitat, ensuring sustainable populations for future generations of hunters and wildlife enthusiasts.
• Public Access: Supporting programs that open private lands to public hunting, expanding opportunities for sportsmen and women.
• Youth Engagement: Promoting educational programs that introduce young people to the joys of hunting and the importance of conservation.
• Policy Advocacy: Advocating for sound wildlife management policies at local, state, and national levels.

Choosing this ammunition is a powerful way for hunters to give back to the sport they love. It embodies the concept of "conservation through a strong tradition of hunting," where every shot fired contributes to the health and vitality of the ecosystems that support upland game birds. It's a choice that reflects an ethical approach to hunting, ensuring the future of wild pheasants and the tradition of upland hunting.

Hunting Applications and Optimal Use Cases

The Federal Premium Wing-Shok Pheasant Forever High Velocity 16 Gauge, with its 1 1/8 oz of #6 copper-plated shot, is incredibly versatile for various upland hunting scenarios:

• Pheasant Hunting: This is its namesake and primary intended use. The #6 shot size is ideal for the robust build of a pheasant, delivering enough energy and pellet count to ensure effective kills on these challenging birds, whether flushed from dense cover or taken on a pass shot.
• Grouse Hunting: For ruffed grouse in thick timber or sharp-tailed grouse on the prairies, the quick-handling nature of a 16 gauge shotgun loaded with this ammunition allows for rapid target acquisition and decisive shots in tight windows.
• Quail Hunting: While #6 might seem large for smaller quail, the excellent patterning of the Wing-Shok combined with its high velocity ensures that even smaller birds caught in the pattern are taken cleanly. Its versatility means you don't need to switch loads if you're hunting mixed bags.
• Chukar and Partridge Hunting: For those pursuing chukar in steep, rocky terrain or partridge across open fields, the flat trajectory and reliable performance of these shells are invaluable for longer shots and quickly moving targets.

This ammunition performs exceptionally well in a variety of environmental conditions, from crisp autumn mornings to colder late-season hunts. Its premium components ensure consistent performance regardless of temperature fluctuations, giving hunters confidence in their equipment when it matters most.

The Federal Premium Advantage: Why Hunter's Trust This Brand

Federal Ammunition has been a cornerstone of the shooting sports industry for decades, earning a reputation for innovation, quality, and reliability. Hunters across generations have relied on Federal for their most important hunts. The Wing-Shok Pheasant Forever line is a testament to this legacy, bringing together cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of hunter needs.

When you purchase Federal Premium ammunition, you are not just buying shells; you are investing in:

• Decades of Expertise: Benefit from Federal's extensive research and development in ballistics and component manufacturing.
• Unwavering Quality Control: Every shell undergoes stringent checks to ensure it meets the highest standards of performance and safety.
• Proven Field Performance: These loads are designed, tested, and proven in real-world hunting conditions by experienced hunters.
• A Commitment to the Outdoors: Federal's partnership with organizations like Pheasants Forever demonstrates a shared passion for conservation and the future of hunting.

For hunters seeking the pinnacle of 16 gauge upland ammunition, the Federal Premium Wing-Shok Pheasant Forever High Velocity (UPC: 029465026929, MPN: PF1636) is available at DEGuns, offering a superior blend of power, precision, and purpose. It is the definitive choice for those who value every shot, both for its effectiveness in the field and its contribution to the legacy of conservation.

Product Specifications Overview

Understanding the detailed specifications of your ammunition is crucial for optimizing your hunting performance and ensuring compatibility with your firearm. The table below outlines the key attributes of the Federal Premium Wing-Shok Pheasant Forever High Velocity 16 Gauge ammunition.

Attribute	Detail
Brand	Federal
Series	Wing-Shok Pheasant Forever High Velocity
Model	Premium
Gauge	16 Gauge
Shot Material	Copper-Plated Lead
Shot Size	6
Rounds Per Box	25
Muzzle Velocity	1425 fps
Game Type	Upland
Length	2.75"
Application	Hunting
Ounces	1 1/8 oz
Boxes Per Case	10
SKU	116882
UPC	029465026929
MPN	PF1636