Federal Power-Shok 16 Gauge 2 3/4" 7/8 oz. Lead Rifled Hollow Point Slug (5-Round Box) – The Smoothbore Hunter's Choice

For hunters seeking reliable and effective ammunition for their smoothbore shotguns, the Federal Power-Shok 16 Gauge 2 3/4" 7/8 oz. Lead Rifled Hollow Point Slug stands out as a consistently trusted option. This ammunition, specifically designed for optimal performance in non-rifled barrels, empowers hunters to confidently pursue deer and other medium-sized game with precision and stopping power out to 100 yards. It represents Federal's commitment to providing accessible, high-performance solutions for a broad spectrum of shotgun enthusiasts.

Why Choose a 16 Gauge Rifled Slug? Addressing Common Hunter Questions

Many hunters, particularly those with a venerable 16 gauge shotgun or those operating in areas where rifle hunting is restricted, often ask: "What's the best ammunition for deer in my smoothbore shotgun?" or "How can I get accurate performance from my shotgun beyond birdshot ranges?" The answer, often, lies in a well-engineered rifled slug like the Federal Power-Shok.

Unlike shot shells, which disperse multiple pellets, a slug is a single projectile designed to deliver maximum energy and penetration to a specific target. The "rifled" designation on this slug refers to the helical grooves cast into the slug itself, not the barrel of your shotgun. These grooves are crucial because they interact with the air as the slug travels, imparting a stabilizing spin. This spin helps maintain accuracy and trajectory, making it an excellent choice for smoothbore shotguns that lack the internal rifling found in dedicated slug barrels or rifles.

The 16 gauge itself holds a unique and respected position in the shotgun world. Often described as the "gentleman's gauge," it offers a balance of power and manageable recoil, falling between the more common 12 and 20 gauges. For many hunters, their 16 gauge shotgun is a cherished family heirloom or a preferred field companion. Finding high-quality, purpose-built ammunition for this gauge can sometimes be a challenge, making Federal Power-Shok's dedicated offering a valuable asset.

Understanding the Federal Power-Shok Advantage: Precision Engineering for Smoothbore Performance

Federal Ammunition has long been a pioneer in crafting reliable and effective ammunition, and their Power-Shok line exemplifies this dedication. This 16 gauge slug is engineered to provide consistent performance, ensuring that hunters can trust their shots when it matters most.

Key Features and What They Mean for Your Hunt:

• 16 Gauge, 2 3/4" Shell: This standard shell length ensures compatibility with the vast majority of 16 gauge shotguns, from classic break-actions to modern pump-actions and semi-automatics. The 16 gauge provides ample energy for medium game without the sometimes-overpowering recoil of a 12 gauge, making it a comfortable and effective choice for many hunters.
• 7/8 Ounce Lead Rifled Hollow Point Slug: The projectile itself is the heart of this cartridge.
  • 7/8 Ounce Weight: This is a substantial projectile for the 16 gauge, contributing to significant kinetic energy transfer upon impact.
  • Soft Lead Construction: The use of soft lead is intentional. Upon striking a target, the soft lead is designed to deform and expand rapidly. This expansion, often referred to as mushrooming, creates a larger wound channel, maximizing energy transfer and leading to more humane, quick takedowns. This is critical for ethical hunting practices.
  • Rifled Design: As discussed, these external grooves on the slug provide stabilization in smoothbore barrels, helping to improve accuracy by imparting a spin during flight. This is a fundamental design principle for effective smoothbore slug performance.
  • Hollow Point: The hollow cavity at the front of the slug further facilitates and enhances the expansion process. As the slug encounters resistance, the hollow point allows the lead to peel back, creating a wider frontal diameter and increasing terminal ballistics.
• 5 Round Box: Practical packaging for hunters, providing enough rounds for sighting in and a day's hunt.

Unpacking the Ballistics: Power and Precision Out to 100 Yards

For serious hunters, understanding the ballistic performance of their ammunition is paramount. The Federal Power-Shok 16 gauge slug delivers impressive figures that underscore its effectiveness for medium game within its intended range.

• Muzzle Velocity: 1600 fps (feet per second)
  • This high initial velocity ensures a flat trajectory over shorter distances and delivers a powerful punch right out of the barrel. It means less lead time on moving targets and less drop at closer ranges.
• Velocity at 50 yards: 1209 fps
  • Even at 50 yards, the slug retains significant speed, indicating good downrange energy retention crucial for effective hunting.
• Velocity at 100 yards: 997 fps
  • Approaching the 100-yard mark, the slug is still traveling at nearly 1000 feet per second, which is a testament to its design for maintaining velocity and stability.

• Muzzle Energy: 1989 ft/lbs (foot-pounds)
  • This figure represents the raw power of the slug as it leaves the muzzle. Nearly 2000 ft/lbs of energy is more than sufficient for ethically harvesting deer and other medium-sized game.
• Energy at 50 yards: 1135 ft/lbs
  • Retaining over 1100 ft/lbs at 50 yards ensures that the slug still carries considerable stopping power for clean kills at common hunting distances.
• Energy at 100 yards: 772 ft/lbs
  • While energy naturally diminishes with distance, 772 ft/lbs at 100 yards is still within the ethical threshold for many medium game species, especially with precise shot placement. This data confirms the slug's advertised effective range.

These ballistic figures collectively paint a clear picture: the Federal Power-Shok 16 gauge slug is engineered to deliver reliable velocity and substantial energy transfer where it counts most—on the target. For hunters operating in dense woods or areas with shorter engagement distances, this slug provides the confidence needed for a successful hunt.

Ideal Applications: Deer and Medium Game

The primary use case for this Federal Power-Shok slug is clear: Deer and Medium Game hunting.

Why it excels for these applications:

• Deer: A 7/8 ounce lead slug, with its significant mass and terminal ballistics, is well-suited for penetrating the hide, muscle, and bone of a deer, reaching vital organs for a humane harvest. The expansion characteristics of the hollow point soft lead slug maximize energy dump within the animal, minimizing tracking.
• Medium Game: This category typically includes animals like wild hogs, black bear (depending on local regulations and specific subspecies size), and possibly large coyotes where a powerful, single-projectile approach is preferred. The slug's energy and penetration capabilities make it an effective choice for these animals.

Important Considerations for Hunters:

• Shot Placement: Regardless of the ammunition's power, accurate shot placement is always paramount for an ethical kill. Hunters should practice regularly to understand their shotgun's capabilities with this specific slug.
• Effective Range: While accurate out to 100 yards, individual shotgun performance can vary. Sighting in your shotgun at various distances (e.g., 25, 50, and 75 yards) will give you a precise understanding of your setup's maximum ethical range.
• Local Regulations: Always be aware of local hunting regulations regarding ammunition types, particularly if hunting in areas with specific rules on slug use or minimum energy requirements.

The 16 Gauge Legacy: A Hunter's Favorite Reinvigorated

The 16 gauge has a rich history, often praised for its balanced performance—offering more pellets or slug energy than a 20 gauge while typically presenting less recoil than a 12 gauge. For many hunters, the 16 gauge represents a nostalgic connection to hunting traditions. However, finding high-quality, specialized ammunition for it can sometimes be a challenge compared to the ubiquitous 12 and 20 gauge offerings.

Federal Ammunition's commitment to producing the Power-Shok 16 gauge slug demonstrates their understanding of this market segment and their dedication to supporting hunters who prefer this classic gauge. By offering a purpose-built, high-performance slug, Federal helps ensure that these beloved shotguns remain viable and effective tools for modern hunting challenges. This particular slug allows owners of 16 gauge smoothbore shotguns to fully leverage their firearm's capabilities for deer and medium game, transforming it from a general-purpose shotgun into a formidable hunting machine for larger game within its effective range.

Maximizing Your Smoothbore Hunting Success

To get the most out of your Federal Power-Shok 16 gauge slugs, consider these tips:

1. Sight Your Shotgun Properly: Unlike birdshot, slugs require precise aiming. Mount a suitable optic (like a low-power scope or red dot sight) or use rifle-style sights if your shotgun is equipped. Zero your gun at a distance relevant to your hunting environment, typically 50 or 75 yards, and know your holdovers for other distances.
2. Practice Makes Perfect: Consistent practice at the range is crucial. Understand how your shotgun performs with these slugs, especially concerning recoil management and follow-up shots.
3. Clean Your Barrel: A clean smoothbore barrel is more likely to provide consistent accuracy with slugs.
4. Understand Your Limits: Respect the effective range of your shotgun and slug combination. While the slug is accurate to 100 yards, your personal skill and specific shotgun setup may dictate a shorter ethical shooting distance.

Responsible Ammunition Handling and Storage

As with all ammunition, safety is paramount. The Federal Power-Shok 16 Gauge Slug is a non-returnable item, typical for ammunition due to safety and legal regulations concerning hazmat materials.

• Store in a Cool, Dry Place: To preserve the integrity of the ammunition, keep it away from extreme temperatures and humidity.
• Keep Out of Reach of Children: Ammunition should always be stored securely and inaccessible to unauthorized individuals, especially children.
• Follow Firearm Safety Rules: Always treat every firearm as if it were loaded, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot, and be sure of your target and what is beyond it.
• Dispose of Unused Ammunition Responsibly: Do not simply throw away old or damaged ammunition. Consult local law enforcement or recycling centers for proper disposal methods.

Your Trusted Source for Quality Ammunition

When you're looking for high-performance ammunition like the Federal Power-Shok 16 Gauge 2 3/4" 7/8 oz. Lead Rifled Hollow Point Slug, it's essential to source it from a reputable dealer. These premium hunting slugs, along with a comprehensive selection of firearms, accessories, and sporting goods, are readily available at DEGuns. As a trusted name in the industry, DEGuns is committed to providing hunters and shooting enthusiasts with reliable products and exceptional service, ensuring you have the right tools for a successful and safe experience in the field.

This Federal Power-Shok slug is more than just a cartridge; it's a testament to Federal's engineering prowess, designed to unlock the full hunting potential of your smoothbore 16 gauge shotgun. It empowers hunters with confidence, knowing they have a powerful, accurate, and ethically effective option for deer and medium game, ensuring a legacy of successful hunts.

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Product Specifications & Ballistics

Feature	Description	Value
Gauge	Shotgun Caliber	16 Gauge
Shell Length	Standard Cartridge Length	2 3/4"
Slug Type	Projectile Design	Lead Rifled Hollow Point
Slug Weight	Weight of Single Projectile	7/8 Ounce
Rounds Per Box	Quantity Included	5 Rounds
Intended Barrel	Recommended Barrel Type	Smooth Bore
Muzzle Velocity	Initial Speed of Projectile	1600 fps
Velocity @ 50yds	Speed at 50 Yards	1209 fps
Velocity @ 100yds	Speed at 100 Yards	997 fps
Muzzle Energy	Kinetic Energy at Muzzle	1989 ft/lbs
Energy @ 50yds	Kinetic Energy at 50 Yards	1135 ft/lbs
Energy @ 100yds	Kinetic Energy at 100 Yards	772 ft/lbs
Primary Uses	Recommended Game Types	Deer, Medium Game
UPC	Universal Product Code (for identification)	029465009939
SKU	Stock Keeping Unit (Internal Product Code)	F164RS