New for 2020: Rio Ammunition 12-gauge Royal Eco BlueSteel

Rio Ammunition is kicking off 2020 with cutting-edge shotshell technology that not only performs to perfection, but also leaves less behind. Its new 12-gauge Royal Eco BlueSteel load has a fully water-soluble wad. This revolutionary environmentally friendly wad—with the help of CO2, mineral salts and biomass—ultimately converts into high-quality fertilizer.

The wad uses additives derived from vegetables and Royal Eco is compliant with ASTM international standards. Although only currently available in loads tailored for waterfowlers, the approach will undoubtedly appeal to ranges that host high-volume action shooting sports.

Also new is the company’s Star Team Evo Platinum loads. Developed in cooperation with some of the world’s best competitive shooters, the new shotshells provide a range of high-quality loads for improved patterns, special powder blends to deliver fast shot across all three payloads and less recoil. Shooters can choose the best load for any situation without compromising similar felt recoil or speed. The meticulous selection of in-house made components results in consistent performance.

Rio Ammunition is one of very few ammunition manufacturers that make its own components. The company, which was established in 1896, develops, manufactures and sells shotshells for sport shooting and hunting. The powder and non-metallic ammunition expert has its American headquarters in Dallas, TX, where it also has a distribution center.

The company is part of the sports cartridges business unit of Maxam, an international firm that sells around 600 million cartridges in more than 100 countries every year. Maxam structures its activity into four business units: blasting solutions for mining, quarries and civil works; cartridges and gunpowders for use in hunting and recreational shooting; products and systems for the defense and security sector; and key raw materials for the nitro-chemical industry.