2022 Editors’ Choice Award Winning 

Federal Force X2 Shorty

The Editors’ Choice Award we’re giving Federal for its new Force X2 Shorty 12-gauge shotshells isn’t solely based on the fact that we now have another very-solid choice for truncated 1-3/4 12-gauge ammo that can be stacked much deeper in a magazine tube than standard 2-3/4 and 3-inch shells, but also its unique payload. Each Force X2 Shorty shell holds six of Federal’s 00 segmenting copper-plated-lead buckshot pellets, designed to split into two halves upon impact. This effectively doubles the wound channels and offers the greatest terminal performance of any of the current mini-shotshell offerings.

The stated muzzle velocity from the Shorty’s is 1245 F.P.S., only five F.P.S. down compared to the nine-pellet 2-3/4 version of the Force X2 buckshot. What’s also down — substantially — is recoil, making this load the perfect home-defense load for smaller-statured humans. When tested in our 20-inch barreled Mossberg 590S — one of the only shotguns that will reliably cycle sub-length shotshells — we were able to load a total of 13 Shorty’s in the magazine tube, as opposed to 7 three-inch or 8 2-3/4 inch shells. If you’re looking for the most devastating sub-length shotshell available today, you just found it. Pick some up at your nearest dealer ($31.99 per box of 10), or for more information, contact Federal Premium; Tel.: (800)379-1732; web: federalpremium.com — Ben Battles