This January, tens of thousands in the firearm industry descended on Las Vegas for SHOT Show 2024. Each year, the event showcases the latest firearms from companies all over the world. But your handgun is only useful if you have ammunition to feed it, so I rooted out the best of the show.

The Best Handgun Ammunition from SHOT Show 2024

Federal Personal Defense Punch .25 Auto

Federal’s Punch line of defensive ammunition sees a new addition for 2024—that being none other than .25 Auto. The uniquely designed skived bullet jacket is combined with a soft lead bullet core. As a result, this allows for ample penetration and expansion to prove itself a worthy contender in the self-defense realm. Construction and performance prove time and time again to be both consistent and reliable with this offering. Not to mention the line as a whole.

For more information, please visit FederalPremium.com.

Remington Core-Lokt Handgun 10mm Auto

The new Core-Lokt line of handgun ammunition from Remington features the classic Core-Lokt bullets seen previously in various rifle ammunition. This initial launch included 10mm Auto, along with 44 Remington Magnum, 41 Remington Magnum, and 357 Magnum. Correspondingly, it was crafted for optimal performance through pistol-length barrels.

Whether hunting with your favorite semi-auto or a tried-and-true revolver, you can expect ample bullet expansion and weight retention. This is sure to stop any black bear, wild boar, or other wild game that crosses your path.

For more information, please visit Remington.com.

Remington UMC LeadLess 9mm

Catering to those who need a lead-free option for their range outings, Remington has expanded upon their UMC LeadLess line. Specifically with the introduction of a 100gr 9mm offering. Each LeadLess bullet features a jacketed powdered metal core, with their patented Catalyst lead-free primer completing the package. Launched alongside the new 100gr 9mm round was a 55gr .223 LeadLess option.

For more information, please visit Remington.com.

CCI Uppercut 22 LR 32gr

Created for those seeking to carry a handgun chambered in 22LR for self-defense purposes, CCI has debuted its new Uppercut line of ammunition. The skived jacket on this .22 caliber 32gr JHP bullet delivers optimal performance out of semi-automatic handguns with 2.5-4-inch barrels. Thus ensuring effective penetration and expansion that delivers a K.O. punch to its unlucky target.

For more information, please visit CCI-Ammunition.com.

CCI Hevi-Bismuth Pest Control Shotshell 9mm 53gr / #12 Shot

Providing a lead-free option for pest control, CCI has launched its new HEVI-Bismuth line of centerfire handgun shotshells. Pictured here is the 9mm variant. However, other options are available, including .45 Auto, 40 S&W, 45 Colt, 44 Spl/Rem Mag, and 38/357 Magnum.

The shotshell is primed with CCI’s patented Catalyst lead-free primer and HEVI-Bismuth pellets. These shotshells allow for the flexibility to use your trusted handgun in areas where space may be limited. But it can effectively dispatch an unwanted pest such as a raccoon or possum.

For more information, please visit CCI-Ammunition.com.

Freedom Munitions X-DEF .44 Magnum

For those who choose a revolver for defensive purposes, you’re in luck. Freedom Munitions has released its new X-DEF .44 Magnum rounds, which have proven to be nothing short of effective. The round boasts a 99% weight retention and penetration of depths of between 12-18 inches. Likewise, the copper-plated 240gr hollow point bullet delivers a devastating blow to its recipient.

For more information, please visit FreedomMunitions.com.

Halo Ammunition 9mm

New to the scene is Halo Ammunition’s 9mm defensive round. The bullet that tops off each round is the star of the show. Each 107gr monolithic solid copper alloy bullet is crafted with what is referred to as five “spear” points, with a sixth built into the center of each round.

Upon impact, each of the five outermost “spears” breaks away, all while flying at around 1,350 fps. This delivers an unbelievable amount of stopping power to its target. These rounds are available in 10, 50, and 100-count quantities.

For more information, please visit HaloAmmunition.com.

DoubleTap 38SPC Snake Shot

The innovative design of DoubleTap’s new 38 Spc. Snake Shot is a snake’s (or other unwanted pest) worst nightmare. Each case is filled with approximately 160 pieces of #9 birdshot. Likewise, each round also has a 50gr solid wadcutter projectile placed neatly beneath said shot, designed to penetrate even further into the target. The minimized recoil and assurance these rounds provide are worth every penny.

For more information, please visit DoubleTapAmmo.com.

Federal American Eagle 30 Super Carry 100-grain FMJ

Serving as a training companion to its defensive counterpart, Federal has released 50 count boxes of 30 Super Carry. The new round is part of the company’s American Eagle line of ammunition. With the same feel and point of impact as its HST equivalent, this option provides an economical training option for defensive carry.

30 Super Carry has better ballistics than .380 Auto and more energy at the muzzle. Not to mention a higher magazine capacity than 9mm. So, it’s easy to see why many have swapped over to the caliber for their carry round of choice.

For more information, please visit FederalPremium.com.

Hornady 5.7x28mm FN Critical Defense

There has been an influx of firearms chambered in 5.7x28mm FN lately. So, it’s no surprise that Hornady had a new round chambered for such guns set to launch this year. Extending upon their famed Critical Defense line of ammunition, the new 5.7x28mm FN was released.

This round is topped with a 40gr FTX bullet, whose patented tip evades clogging while passing through various materials. This ensures consistent and reliable penetration and expansion with every shot.

For more information, please visit Hornady.com.

Staccato 9mm Match Ammo

Wanting the ideal match to its beloved 2011, Staccato has released its very own 9mm Match Ammo. Taking steps to deliver a well-balanced and consistent round, Staccato chose to complement each round with a 125gr HAP bullet.

These cold-swaged bullets have a copper jacket that protects the nose of the bullet. As a result, this eliminates the need to worry about feeding issues that may arise with exposed lead bullets.  This is especially important when time is of the essence.

For more information, please visit Staccato2011.com.

Barnes Pioneer 357 Magnum 140gr

Seeing that 2024 is unofficially the “year of the lever gun,” Barnes has released a 357 Magnum offering. The new round is part of the company’s Pioneer line of ammunition. Designed to feed smoothly through lever guns and their tubular magazines, each round utilizes Barnes’ patented 140gr XPB bullet.

This is particularly popular amongst hunters utilizing both lever guns and revolvers. So, the design of this bullet delivers maximum weight retention, expansion, and devastating energy transfer to take down game quickly.

For more information, please visit BarnesBullets.com.

Hornady American Gunner 10mm

Tried, true, and proving itself a universal line regarding application and use, the American Gunner line of ammunition grows this year with the addition of a 10mm offering. Hornady chose to pair this round with its patented 155gr XTP HP bullet.

This bullet lends itself to hunting and self-defense use with carefully placed serrations along the copper jacket. These serve to begin the expansion process upon penetration. Additionally, the jacket thickness itself varies from tip to base, which controls the expansion rate as a whole.

For more information, please visit Hornady.com.

Federal Personal Defense Hydra-Shok Deep .32 Auto

New for 2024, Federal is now offering its popular 68gr Hydra-Shok Deep in .32 Auto. This popular personal defense round sees a facelift in the new year. Specifically with improvements resulting in optimized penetration depths and bullet expansion. This round is right at home amongst its predecessors, which include .380 Auto, 9mm Luger, .38 Special +P, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP.

For more information, please visit FederalPremium.com.

Remington Performance WheelGun 32 H&R Magnum

32 H&R Magnum is a caliber new to Remington Ammunition, and it fits right at home within the WheelGun lineup. Serving as an excellent target shooting round, the 95gr semi-wadcutter hollow point bullet also serves as an acceptable defensive round. This round has minimal felt recoil, meaning you’re back on target in the blink of an eye after each shot.

For more information, please visit Remington.com.

Remington Ranch Hand 22LR

Remington knows firearms enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels will always need a good, all-purpose .22LR round. So, the company has launched a new product line, and with it the Ranch Hand 22LR.

Both the 38gr hollow point and 40gr round nose deliver excellent performance through otherwise “picky” firearms of varying platform styles and barrel lengths. Target shooting, small game hunting, or an afternoon of plinking, the new .22LR Ranch Hand has you covered.

For more information, please visit Remington.com.

CCI Blazer Brass – 9mm Luger 100gr FMJ Reduced Recoil

New to CCI’s Blazer Brass line of ammunition is a reduced recoil version of their 100gr 9mm FMJ. Ammunition that is easy on the wallet always lends itself to more training. Not to mention, less felt recoil is certainly a welcome bonus!

Reliability and consistency are a big reason why it is amongst the preferred choices of ammunition for target shooters nationwide. Bonus points to hand loaders, as these brass cases are reloader-friendly!

For more information, please visit CCI-Ammunition.com.

Hornady Handgun Hunter 45ACP +P

Hunting with a handgun brings about its own set of challenges. So, it’s necessary to utilize a round you trust to perform and execute a clean and quick dispatch of the animal you are hunting. The 160gr Monoflex bullet that Hornady utilizes in their new 45 ACP +P round is designed to do just that. And it handles varmint and small game up to 50 pounds give or take in size.

This tough-as-nails copper alloy bullet makes jacket separation a thing of the past. Additionally, utilizing Hornady’s patented Flex Tip, it expands quickly and rapidly, with the bullet retaining 95% of its weight.

For more information, please visit Hornady.com.

CCI Pest Control Shotshell – 10mm

Expanding upon their Pest Control Shotshell lineup, CCI has launched another variant in the ever-popular 10mm. Loaded with 53 grains worth of #12 shot, these rounds are best used when you must “take care” of pests. This includes snakes, rodents, and similar creatures in tight spaces or within close range. The consistently tight patterns produced by these shotshells make them a trustworthy solution for pest control needs.

For more information, please visit CCI-Ammunition.com.

Liberty Ammunition Steel Plate & Range 9mm

Well known for its defensive lines of ammunition, Liberty Ammo is releasing its new 9mm Steel Plate & Range offering. This 100gr bullet is still lead-free and provides a safe alternative as opposed to traditional bullet styles. This is especially true when it comes to shooting steel targets, as there is less risk of ricochet. Many who already use Liberty’s 9mm Civil Defense or Overwatch ammunition are sure to welcome this new launch as an excellent training round.

For more information, please visit LibertyAmmo.com.