First Look: Federal Premium Force X2 Splitting Buckshot

by
posted on July 20, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
forcex2.jpg

The new personal defense ammunition from Federal Premium augments your ability to defend what’s important to you with your shotgun. The Force X2 copper-plated 00 FX2 buckshot pellets inside these new shells are specially engineered to split into two equal-size pieces on impact, maximizing the already impressive firepower that a shotgun brings to the table. 

Force X2 utilizes nine splitting pellets that create up to 18 wound channels. This improves the transfer of energy from the payload to the target and minimizes the potential for over-penetration, which reduces the risk to bystanders. Force X2 shells are also loaded for more manageable recoil, allowing the shooter to stay on target for faster follow-up shots and better accuracy in a self-defense situation.

“Federal’s splitting buckshot is the first significant change to buckshot ammo in over a century. The expert ammunition engineers at Federal decided it was time for improvements in buckshot that would help in some Personal Defense situations,” said Federal Ammunition Shotshell Product Manager Dan Compton. “This new self-defense shotgun load is designed for tremendous energy transfer for a wider and larger amount of terminal damage.”

During testing by Federal engineers, Force X2 showed patterns of 4½ inches at 7 yards and 14 inches at 20 yards using an improved cylinder choke. Patterns of 4¼ inches at 7 yards and 12 inches at 20 yards were achieved with a modified choke. Tests using 10-percent ballistic gel were also conducted, with penetration depth of the shells varying from 5¼ to 14½ inches, with an average of 9½ inches. The average depth when pellets start segmenting is 4.5 inches after impact.

Personal Defense Shotshell Features

  • 12-gauge 2¾-inch nine-pellet segmenting buckshot
  • Nine FX2 copper-plated buckshot pellets designed to split in half on impact
  • Manageable recoil
  • The pattern and power of buckshot
  • Double the wound channels
  • Less collateral damage risk from over-penetration


More information on this new shotshell and other ammunition from Federal Premium is available at federalpremium.com.

Latest

2025 Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts $45 to $83
2025 Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts $45 to $83

2025 Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts $45 to $83

Whether you’re looking for practical gear or just fun, firearm-related stocking stuffers, we’ve got you covered.

How Fast Can You Run?

Can you get out of trouble when it's time to go?

First Look: Wilson Combat WCP365 2.0

Wilson Combat upgrades an iconic pistol from SIG Sauer.

I Carry: Taurus 66 Combat Revolver in a Galco Holster

In this week's episode of "I Carry," we have a Taurus 66 Combat .357 Magnum revolver in a Galco Summer Comfort holster with a Cold Steel Karve knife.

Tech Wisdom: Get It Straight

My first trip to the range with my new Smith & Wesson Model 640 went from eager anticipation to sheer disappointment. The first five shots downrange at 10 yards went into an acceptable cluster on the right edge of the target.

Bond Arms Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Three decades of quality firearms from Bond Arms.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Illustrated delivered to your inbox.