2026’s best new hunting gear: Top ammo options for the Canadian wilds, from woods to wetlands

Want to see more great new hunting equipment for the upcoming season? Check out the year’s best new rifles and shotguns, bowhunting gear ,  optics and apparel & accessories.

And for the complete round-up, see all of this equipment in one place at: 2026’s Best New Hunting Gear.

AMERICAN WHITETAIL TIPPED

Hornady is building on the success of its proven American Whitetail line of rifle ammunition by adding polymer-tipped versions. Designed for rapid yet controlled expansion, Hornady’s SST (Super Shock Tip) bullets are now available in 12 popular cartridges, from .243 Win. to .300 PRC. The .350 Legend offering, meanwhile, uses the polymer-tipped FTX bullet, making it safe for use in tubular magazines.

Learn more: www.hornady.com

ROB ROBERTS RAPTOR STEEL

Developed in conjunction with Rob Roberts Custom Gunworks, Federal’s latest zinc-plated steel waterfowl loads are engineered to maximize pattern density, while delivering heavy payloads and high pellet counts. Designed for Raptor Series chokes, the three-inch 12-gauge shells come in 1 3/8-ounce loads of #2, #3 and #4 shot pushed at 1,400 fps. The three-inch 20-gauge shells are available in one-ounce loads of #2, #3 and #4.

Learn more: www.federalpremium.com

BACKWOODS HUNTER

Touted as “a fusion of effectiveness, efficiency and affordability,” this new line of Fiocchi rifle ammunition features monolithic, all-copper hollow-point (CHP) bullets. Responding to the increasing demand for lead-free rifle ammunition, the bullets are designed to expand aggressively on impact while retaining weight and penetrating deeply. The initial release includes eight popular calibres, ranging from .243 Win. to .300 Win. Mag.

Learn more: www.fiocchiusa.com