Kent Cartridge Fasteel 2.0: The Apex Predator's Choice for Waterfowl Ammunition

For dedicated waterfowl hunters, the quest for reliable, high-performance ammunition is relentless. The unpredictable nature of the marsh, the variable weather conditions, and the need for ethical, clean harvests demand a cartridge that consistently performs under pressure. Enter Kent Cartridge's Fasteel 2.0, a meticulously engineered solution designed to meet and exceed the rigorous demands of serious duck and goose hunters. Available for discerning sportsmen at DEGuns, this ammunition stands as a testament to innovation in non-toxic shotshell technology.

What makes Fasteel 2.0 the go-to choice for waterfowl enthusiasts? It's a blend of advanced materials, precision manufacturing, and a deep understanding of what hunters need to succeed. This isn't just another box of shells; it's a strategic tool developed to enhance your hunting experience, reduce environmental impact, and ensure devastating terminal performance on target.

Unpacking the Core Excellence: Why Fasteel 2.0 Stands Apart

The foundation of any exceptional ammunition lies in its components and the precision with which they are assembled. Kent Cartridge has left no stone unturned in crafting the Fasteel 2.0.

Corrosion Resistance That Defies the Elements

Waterfowl hunting often takes place in some of the most challenging environments imaginable: damp marshes, icy conditions, and driving rain. Traditional ammunition can quickly succumb to corrosion, leading to misfires, compromised performance, and a shortened shelf life. Kent Fasteel 2.0 is specifically designed to combat these elements.

• Zinc-Plated Steel Shot: Unlike standard steel shot, Fasteel 2.0 utilizes precision-ground, zinc-plated steel pellets. This zinc coating acts as a sacrificial layer, providing superior corrosion resistance. It prevents rust and oxidation, ensuring that each pellet maintains its integrity, aerodynamic properties, and impact energy, even after prolonged exposure to moisture. This is crucial for maintaining consistent patterns and penetration, regardless of the weather.
• Nickel-Plated Heads: The brass heads of shotgun shells are often vulnerable to corrosion, which can lead to extraction issues or even failures to chamber. Fasteel 2.0 addresses this with nickel-plated heads. Nickel plating offers an exceptional barrier against rust and provides a smoother surface, which facilitates flawless cycling through semi-automatic and pump-action shotguns. This significantly reduces the likelihood of jams or malfunctions when you need your firearm to perform flawlessly.

These advanced plating techniques mean hunters can have absolute confidence that their ammunition will function as intended, hunt after hunt, season after season. It’s a critical factor for success when you’ve invested time and effort into your setup and location.

Non-Toxic Performance for Environmental Stewardship

In an era of increasing environmental awareness and stringent hunting regulations, the use of non-toxic ammunition has become not just a preference, but often a legal requirement for waterfowl hunting. Fasteel 2.0 is designed from the ground up as a high-performance, non-toxic alternative to lead.

• Environmental Compliance: Steel shot is the most common non-toxic alternative to lead for waterfowl. Kent Cartridge's Fasteel 2.0 adheres to all federal and state regulations regarding non-toxic shot for migratory bird hunting. This allows hunters to pursue their passion responsibly, minimizing their environmental footprint and protecting delicate wetland ecosystems.
• Ethical Hunting: Beyond compliance, using non-toxic shot is an ethical choice. It prevents lead from contaminating waterways and soil, protecting waterfowl and other wildlife from lead poisoning. Hunters who prioritize conservation and responsible practices will find Fasteel 2.0 aligns perfectly with their values.

Optimized Functioning: The Special Base-Wad

Ammunition performance isn't just about the payload; it's also about how the cartridge itself interacts with your firearm. The "special base-wad" in Fasteel 2.0 is a critical, yet often overlooked, component that contributes significantly to flawless functioning. This engineered base-wad ensures:

• Reliable Cycling: It provides consistent pressure and support during the firing sequence, promoting smooth chambering and extraction. This is particularly vital for the high demands of semi-automatic shotguns in cold or wet conditions.
• Optimal Burn: The design of the base-wad influences powder ignition and burn rate, contributing to the consistent velocity and pressure required for uniform patterns.

This meticulous attention to internal components ensures that Fasteel 2.0 is not only powerful but also incredibly reliable, minimizing the chance of a critical malfunction in the field.

Precision Blended Powders for Peak Performance and Comfort

The heart of a shotshell's power is its propellant. Kent Cartridge utilizes custom-blended powders in Fasteel 2.0 to achieve a delicate balance between ballistic performance and shooter comfort.

• Optimal Load Velocities: At a blistering 1550 feet per second (fps), the 12 Gauge 3.50" 1 3/8 oz 2 Shot configuration delivers exceptional velocity. This translates directly into greater downrange energy, flatter trajectories, and reduced lead necessary for fast-flying birds. High velocity means less time for the target to move out of the shot pattern, increasing your chances of a clean hit.
• Managing Felt Recoil: High-velocity loads can often come with punishing recoil. Kent's custom powders are formulated to manage this felt recoil effectively. While a 3.5-inch 12 gauge shell will always have a notable kick, Fasteel 2.0’s powder blend is designed to make it as manageable as possible, allowing for quicker follow-up shots and reduced shooter fatigue over a long day in the blind.
• Mitigating Flinch Factor: Excessive recoil can lead to an involuntary flinch, causing shooters to anticipate the shot and pull off target. By intelligently managing felt recoil, Fasteel 2.0 helps mitigate this "flinch factor," allowing hunters to maintain their focus, improve their shooting mechanics, and ultimately, secure more successful harvests.

Who is Kent Fasteel 2.0 For? Answering Key Hunter Questions

This ammunition is specifically engineered for serious waterfowl hunters who demand the best from their gear.

• "What's the best ammunition for duck and goose hunting?"
  For many experienced hunters, the Kent Fasteel 2.0 is a strong contender for "best in class" non-toxic ammunition. Its combination of velocity, pattern consistency, and corrosion resistance makes it ideal for pursuing ducks and geese across diverse North American flyways.
• "How can I improve my success rate in the duck blind?"
  While practice and scouting are paramount, using high-quality ammunition like Fasteel 2.0 significantly contributes to success. Its consistent patterns ensure more pellets hit the target, and its reliable function prevents missed opportunities due to equipment failure. The managed recoil also means you can stay on target for follow-up shots more effectively.
• "What's the right shot size for waterfowl?"
  The Fasteel 2.0 in #2 shot is an excellent all-around choice for many waterfowl species. #2 steel shot offers a good balance of pellet count and individual pellet energy. It’s effective for large ducks like mallards, pintails, and even smaller geese at typical hunting ranges, providing sufficient knockdown power without sacrificing pattern density. For larger geese or longer ranges, some hunters might consider #1 or BB shot sizes, but #2 remains a highly versatile option.
• "Is 3.5-inch 12 Gauge worth it?"
  The 3.5-inch 12 gauge shell is often considered the magnum of waterfowl loads. It allows for a significantly larger payload (1 3/8 oz in this case) compared to 2 ¾-inch or 3-inch shells. This increased payload means more pellets downrange, translating to denser patterns and more forgiving shot strings, particularly at longer ranges or when facing tough, fast-flying birds. While it comes with increased recoil, the added range and hitting power are undeniable advantages for the dedicated waterfowl hunter.
• "How do I choose reliable ammunition for extreme weather?"
  Reliability in extreme weather is a hallmark of Fasteel 2.0. The zinc-plated shot and nickel-plated heads are specifically designed to resist the rust and corrosion that cold, wet, and humid conditions induce. This ensures consistent performance from the first shot to the last, even when your gear is soaked or exposed to saltwater.

The Engineering Advantage: Deeper Dive into Fasteel 2.0's Design

Beyond the primary benefits, understanding the subtle engineering choices within Fasteel 2.0 reveals why it performs so exceptionally.

• Precision-Ground Shot: The term "precision-ground" might seem minor, but it's crucial for steel shot. Uniform, perfectly spherical pellets fly truer, creating tighter, more consistent patterns downrange. Irregularly shaped pellets tumble, disperse randomly, and lose energy quickly. This precision is a key factor in Fasteel 2.0's reputation for superior patterns.
• Shot Collar/Wad Design: While not explicitly detailed in the provided text, premium steel shot loads like Fasteel 2.0 typically employ specialized wads or shot collars. These components protect the shotgun barrel from the harder steel pellets and ensure that the shot charge remains cohesive for a longer period after exiting the muzzle, further contributing to dense, uniform patterns. This is vital for maximizing effective range and delivering multiple lethal pellets to the target.
• Manufacturing Consistency: Kent Cartridge prides itself on meticulous loading processes. This translates to shot-to-shot consistency in velocity, pressure, and pattern density. Such uniformity is critical for hunters who rely on predictable performance, especially when making difficult shots in dynamic hunting scenarios.

Maximizing Your Hunt with Fasteel 2.0

To truly leverage the capabilities of Kent Fasteel 2.0, consider these aspects of your hunting strategy:

• Pattern Your Shotgun: Even with premium ammunition, every shotgun patterns differently. It is highly recommended to pattern your shotgun with Fasteel 2.0 (specifically the 12 Gauge 3.50" 1 3/8 oz 2 Shot load) at various distances (e.g., 30, 40, and 50 yards) to understand its performance and effective range. This knowledge empowers you to take ethical shots and avoid wounding birds.
• Choke Selection: For steel shot, it’s generally advised to use modified or improved cylinder chokes. While Fasteel 2.0's precision shot and wad design can support tighter chokes, consult your shotgun manufacturer's recommendations for steel shot compatibility to avoid barrel damage.
• Storage and Handling: Despite its corrosion-resistant properties, proper storage in a cool, dry place will extend the life and ensure the reliability of your ammunition. Avoid extreme temperature fluctuations.

Availability and Value at DEGuns

Kent Cartridge Fasteel 2.0 is an investment in your hunting success and in responsible environmental practices. Each box contains 25 rounds, and for the serious waterfowl hunter, it’s often purchased in cases of 10 boxes, totaling 250 rounds (UPC: 656308111308). This bulk packaging ensures you have enough ammunition for multiple hunts, practice sessions, and the peace of mind that comes with a consistent supply of your preferred load.

At DEGuns, you’ll find Kent Fasteel 2.0 readily available, allowing you to equip yourself with the ammunition trusted by avid waterfowl hunters. When you choose Fasteel 2.0, you're not just buying shells; you're investing in reliability, performance, and a more successful, ethical hunting season.

The rigorous testing, premium component selection, and meticulous loading processes that go into every Kent Fasteel 2.0 shell translate directly into a superior hunting experience. It empowers you to face the unpredictable challenges of waterfowl hunting with confidence, knowing your ammunition will perform flawlessly and deliver the lethal energy needed for clean, ethical harvests. For the hunter who demands peak performance and reliability, especially when the weather turns foul, Kent Fasteel 2.0 is the clear choice.

Specification	Detail
Brand	Kent Cartridge
Model	Fasteel 2.0
Gauge	12 Gauge
Shot Material	Zinc-Plated Steel
Shot Size	2
Shell Length	3.50"
Shot Weight	1 3/8 oz
Muzzle Velocity	1550 fps
Rounds Per Box	25
Boxes Per Case	10
Total Rounds (Case)	250
Application	Hunting (Waterfowl)
SKU	117609
UPC	656308111308
MPN	K1235FS402