Federal Top Gun for America's 250th Birthday
The Federal Top Gun America 250th Anniversary 12 Gauge load combines one of Federal's established clay-target recipes with limited-edition packaging created to commemorate the United States' 250th birthday in 2026.
This is not simply a decorative ammunition box with an unknown load inside. Federal identifies TGL12US8USA as a genuine Top Gun target load: a 2-3/4-inch 12-gauge shell carrying 1-1/8 ounces of #8 lead shot at 1,145 FPS.
That makes it equally legitimate as ammunition to shoot and as a small piece of the country's semiquincentennial history to put away. Federal specifically introduced its America 250th series as limited-edition target ammunition that shooters could enjoy at the range while also retaining the commemorative packaging as a collectible.
The Correct Load: TGL12US8USA
Federal's manufacturer part number for this specific America 250th shotshell is TGL12US8USA.
Federal's 2026 catalog specifies:
- 12 Gauge
- 2-3/4-Inch Shell
- 1-1/8-Ounce Payload
- #8 Lead Shot
- 1,145 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 25 Rounds Per Box
In other words, beneath the commemorative box art is a conventional Federal Top Gun target load intended to break clay targets rather than merely occupy a shelf.
1-1/8 Ounces of #8 Shot at 1,145 FPS
The 1-1/8-ounce payload gives the shooter a substantial pattern of small #8 pellets while the moderate 1,145 FPS velocity keeps the load squarely within the traditional clay-target role.
#8 shot is a classic choice for recreational clay shooting, skeet and appropriate trap presentations because the smaller pellet diameter places a large number of pellets into the pattern. More pellets increase the opportunity to put multiple strikes on a clay target when the shooter does his part.
The 1,145 FPS velocity is also noticeably more restrained than Federal's faster 1,250-, 1,300- and 1,330-FPS Top Gun offerings. For shooters spending an afternoon behind a 12 gauge, that moderate target-load velocity can be attractive compared with unnecessarily fast ammunition.
A Real Top Gun Target Load, Not Just Commemorative Packaging
Federal's Top Gun family has long been built around straightforward target ammunition for shooters who need consistency without turning every round of trap or skeet into premium-ammunition pricing.
The America 250th edition follows that same idea. Federal states that the commemorative products use its established ammunition recipes and performance, with the anniversary packaging distinguishing this limited run from ordinary production.
That makes this an unusual product with two legitimate uses. Shoot it at the range and it functions as Federal Top Gun ammunition. Leave a clean box unopened and it represents a limited-edition ammunition release tied to a date that will occur only once: America's 250th anniversary.
Limited-Edition America 250 Packaging
Federal created the America 250th ammunition series to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. The commemorative line includes selected loads from Federal's Top Gun, American Eagle and Champion families.
Federal describes the special packaging as collectible artwork intended to represent the American spirit and the country's next 250 years. Anniversary artwork includes patriotic American imagery associated with the commemorative series.
Packaging artwork may vary. The ammunition specification remains Federal part number TGL12US8USA regardless of the commemorative artwork supplied with the individual box.
Part of Federal's Five-Load America 250th Collection
The Top Gun shotshell is one of only five ammunition configurations Federal selected for its America 250th commemorative line:
- Top Gun 12 Gauge #8 Target Shotshell
- Champion .22 LR 36-Grain Copper-Plated Hollow Point
- American Eagle .45 Auto 230-Grain FMJ
- American Eagle .30-06 Springfield 150-Grain FMJ
- American Eagle .45-70 Government 300-Grain Load
The selection covers rimfire, handgun, centerfire rifle and shotgun ammunition, giving collectors a compact five-load Federal set rather than an enormous series of commemorative SKUs.
For Trap, Skeet and Recreational Clay Shooting
With a 2-3/4-inch hull, 1-1/8-ounce #8 payload and 1,145 FPS velocity, this load is at home breaking clay targets.
Always verify the shotgun manufacturer's chamber and ammunition requirements before firing. Because this ammunition uses lead shot, shooters should also confirm that lead ammunition is permitted at the range, property or shooting venue where it will be used.
Shoot a Box and Save a Box
This is one of the rare ammunition products where buying two boxes makes sense for reasons beyond simply needing more ammunition.
One can go into the range bag and be used exactly as Federal intended. Another can remain unopened as a physical reminder of America's 250th anniversary and Federal's limited 2026 commemorative ammunition program.
Federal introduced the series with essentially that dual purpose in mind: dependable target ammunition today and commemorative packaging worth keeping for the future.
Shop more shotgun ammunition at Huckleberry Arms:
Shotgun Shells | Ammunition