AllOutdoor Review – Federal Premium HEVI-Bismuth 12 Gauge #4 and #5

Federal Premium is as legendary of an ammunition manufacturer as they come. With decades of ammo crafting experience, they continually are searching for the next big thing to make the pursuits of hunters and sportsmen that much more fruitful and successful. This relentless chase for the best ammunition possible extends through their shotshell offerings as well. From experimenting with multiple shot sizes to even new materials for their payloads, Federal can be pretty clever when it comes to clobberin’ fat-bellied geese, chonky pheasants, and everything in between. Most recently, to the delight of upland and waterfowl hunters alike, Federal Premium released their HEVI-Bismuth series of shotgun shells in both 12- and 20-Gauge in shot sizes of #3 through #5. Federal approached us to see if we would like to play with some of their 12 Gauge #4 and #5 shot, and of course, we wouldn’t turn down an opportunity like that. So, today we are going to share our experiences of shooting the Federal Premium HEVI-Bismuth 12 Gauge #4 and #5 shot out in the field on geese, ducks, and pheasants. Let’s dive in!

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Specifications – Federal Premium HEVI-Bismuth 12 Gauge #4 and #5 Shot

When it comes to shotgun shells and hunting many people falsely assume that “all shotgun shells are the same.” We, of course, know this isn’t true, but that is a mentality that all too many hunters have. So, when Federal comes out with yet another shotshell offering for upland and waterfowl hunting like HEVI-Bismuth, all you get is a dull yawn from the internet peanut gallery. While Federal Premium hasn’t reinvented the wheel with this new offering, it is the small incremental changes represented in this shotgun shell that can make all the difference, and Federal Premium elaborates on all of those attributes in their specs listed below:

At 9.6 g/cc, HEVI-Bismuth pellets are 22 percent denser than steel
More downrange energy
Higher pellet counts than comparably performing steel
Softer than steel and tungsten
Rear-deploying FLITECONTROL FLEX wad creates more consistent, efficient patterns in ported and non-ported chokes
Safe and effective for use in both classic and modern shotguns
Pellets are alloyed and cast in the USA

Never compromise performance. Federal Premium® HEVI-Bismuth™ hits both upland birds and waterfowl with the power of 9.6 g/cc density pellets. Sourced from our partners at HEVI-Shot®, the industry leader in pellet technology, HEVI-Bismuth shot is 22 percent denser than steel, delivering more lethal energy downrange. Launched by the FLITECONTROL FLEX® wad, bismuth pellets pattern consistently, and their metallic properties make them safe in both modern and classic shotguns.

Gauge: 12
Shot Size: 5
Payload Type: Bismuth
Muzzle Velocity (FPS – Feet per Second): 1,450
Shot Charge: 1 3/8 Oz
Shotshell Length: 2 3/4″
Density: 9.6 g/cc

Field Use – Federal Premium HEVI-Bismuth 12 Gauge #4 and #5 Shot

So, the real question is how do these shotgun shells perform out in the field? How do they perform on live game? My fall/winter schedule in my home state of Minnesota was not conducive to getting out in the field and testing these myself, but I had a guy. Being part of my town’s volunteer fire department, I approached my Fire Chief’s son – Aidan Taufen – to see if he would be game to put the smackdown on some birds with these shells and he was game for it. I already knew Aidan stacks birds like cordwood so he was the right guy to enlist for the job. Between school, he is chasing ducks, geese, and pheasants like nobody’s business and filling limits at the envy of all of his friends – he is great at what he loves to do.

Aidan’s handiwork of dropping geese and ducks like rain as well as tumbling pheasants out of the sky speaks for itself, but I’ll speak to the ease at which he was able to make these hunting feats of prowess look so easy. The Federal Premium HEVI-Bismuth shell deploys Federal’s near-legendary FliteControl Flex wad which patterns consistently for more downed birds and filled limits. Moreover, the bismuth payload is safe on both old and modern shotguns alike, and is more dense than steel.

All of these aforementioned attributes make for better times afield and more success for everyone involved. Aidan also got to run these shotgun shells through the full gamut of hunting conditions because early this fall we had snow in Minnesota (as evident in some pictures), and oddly as we got closer to the end of the year it became warmer and wetter in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.” So, whether it was warm or cold, wet or dry, Aidan got to put these shells through a thorough test in a matter of weeks.

Final Thoughts – Federal Premium HEVI-Bismuth 12 Gauge #4 and #5 Shot

So, what are my final thoughts on the Federal Premium HEVI-Bismuth 12 Gauge in both #4 and #5 shot sizes that Aidan tested extensively out in the field these past several weeks?… I believe Federal has a winner in these HEVI-Bismuth loads. Aidan is a top-notch hunter (I do not want to diminish his skill in hyping up these shells – that’s why I reached out to him), but Aidan is not the only hunter and friend I have from the industry that has raved about these shells. With many states, locales, and municipalities making it illegal to run lead for hunting, these HEVI-Bismuth shells are a phenomenal alternative. My only constructive criticism is that these shells retail for $66.99 – $76.99 per box, but “good things aren’t cheap,” and these are good shells.

In closing, I want to say thank you to Federal Premium for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their Federal Premium HEVI-Bismuth 12 Gauge in both #4 and #5 shot sizes. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think? Do you believe that the Federal Premium HEVI-Bismuth 12 Gauge in both #4 and #5 shot sizes is something worth spending your money on? Would you deploy them hunting? As always, let us know all of your thoughts about Federal Premium in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.

Adam Scepaniak