HEVI-Metal Xtreme Packs A Punch

By Jack Orloff

Associate Editor

Originally published in the 2025 March edition of Safari Times.

There has been a lot of hype about the use of tungsten in waterfowl loads recently, especially stacked loads.

On a duck hunt this past season in Kansas, I used HEVI-Shot’s HEVI-Metal Xtreme shells and noticed a significant difference from traditional steel loads with longer, more powerful shot distances.

Loaded in Sweet Home, Ore., HEVI-Metal Xtreme uses HEVI-Shot’s Pattern Density Technology to devote 30% of the payload to HEVI-Shot tungsten pellets, which are 53.8% denser than steel. They stack the tungsten pellets over their precision steel shot, three shot sizes smaller, which ensures both layers have equal downrange performance. The load also features a FLITECONTROL FLEX wad which helps with consistent long-range patterns and is pushed at high velocities.

I used the 20-gauge, 3-inch, No. 6 tungsten and No. 3 steel shot, which travels at 1,350 fps. I paired it with the Benelli Super Black Eagle 3, and it was a match made in Heaven. Even with a smaller gauge, I was pleasantly surprised with the knockdown power, and it was even effective with bigger birds like geese. Each shot felt like a Mike Tyson knockout punch and easily picked birds out of the sky.

HEVI-Metal Xtreme is offered in both 12-gauge and 20-gauge with an array of shot sizes, including 12-gauge, 3-inch, No. 2 shot tungsten and BB steel; 12-gauge, 3-inch, No. 4 shot tungsten and No. 1 shot steel; 12-gauge, 3-inch, No. 6 shot tungsten and No. 3 shot steel; 20-gauge, 3-inch, No. 4 shot tungsten and No. 1 shot steel and 20-gauge, 3-inch, No. 6 shot tungsten and No. 3 shot steel.

For more information and pricing, visit hevishot.com.