The Hottest New Shotguns from the 2026 SHOT Show - Field & Stream
The new crop of shotguns for 2026 includes something for everyone. Here are the hottest 13 models.
www.fieldandstream.comHere’s the latest on shotgun cartridges based on recently available reporting and industry coverage.
- Global ammunition updates often center on new shotgun loads, environmental considerations (non-toxic/biodegradable options), and regulatory context. Recent industry coverage highlights ongoing interest in “green” or non-toxic shotgun shells, particularly for clay sports and hunting, with several manufacturers exploring biodegradable or low-toxicity components while maintaining performance.[2][3]
- In 2023–2024, major gun media and shows continued to showcase new loads, including straight-walled options in some markets and specialized rounds for compliance or niche applications, alongside traditional 12-gauge offerings. This context helps explain continued chatter about Shaheen 4 and similar lines in certain regions.[3][4]
- Reports about shotgun ammunition from international sources note that some EU-made or other foreign shells have appeared in non-traditional markets or in protests abroad, emphasizing regulatory and import considerations for shotgun cartridges. This underscores ongoing scrutiny around cross-border ammunition flows.[5]
- For enthusiasts, shotgun cartridge news is frequently tied to SHOT Show coverage and specialty publications, which repeatedly highlight new product lines, performance claims, and price points, even as the core 12-gauge options remain widely used.[9][3]
Illustration: If you’re tracking a specific region or brand (for example, 12-gauge “Shaheen” variants or non-toxic loads), a quick, focused scan of major trade outlets and manufacturer press releases for the current year will typically reveal the most relevant updates, including availability, testing results, and compliance notes.[4][3]
Would you like me to narrow this to a particular country, brand, or type of shotgun cartridge (non-toxic, field, competition, or water-safety compliant options) and pull the most recent specifics? I can also provide a quick table comparing notable recent loads if that helps.[3]