Federal GMT1718 Premium Gold Medal Paper 12 Gauge 2.75" 1 1/8 oz 1235 fps 8 Shot 25ea

Federal Premium Gold Medal shotshells are built for serious clay shooters who demand consistent performance round after round. These 12 gauge 2.75" loads deliver 1 1/8 ounces of 8 shot at 1235 fps, engineered to tighten patterns and help you break targets cleanly downrange. The paper hull design and brass head ensure reliable cycling and extraction, so you can focus on your sight picture instead of troubleshooting malfunctions.

What sets Gold Medal apart from budget shotshell options is the two-piece SoftCell wad design—it does real work. By reducing felt recoil and promoting more uniform pellet patterns, you'll shoot tighter groups and recover faster between targets. The harder lead shot is specifically engineered for hardness and density balance, meaning better pattern consistency and maintained downrange energy. These aren't light-recoil plinking rounds; they're built for the line.

Fair warning: Federal explicitly states these loads do not qualify for Olympic or International competition shooting. If you're chasing sanctioned titles, verify your ammunition rulebook first. For serious clay target practice, league shoots, and competitive trap and skeet where approved ammunition lists are open, Gold Medal delivers the performance-per-round that separates good shooters from great ones.

Key Features

• Paper hull with brass head for dependable extraction and cycling
• Two-piece SoftCell wad design reduces felt recoil and improves pattern uniformity
• Hardened lead shot optimized for even, dense patterns
• 1235 fps velocity with 1 1/8 oz payload in 8 shot
• 25 rounds per box

Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Federal Gold Medal shotshells in competitive clay shooting?

Federal Gold Medal loads do not qualify for Olympic or International competition shooting. Check your specific event or league rulebook before purchasing—many club shoots and regional competitions do allow them, but sanctioned international events have restrictions on approved ammunition.

What's the advantage of the two-piece SoftCell wad?

The two-piece SoftCell design reduces felt recoil compared to traditional one-piece wads and promotes more uniform shot patterns downrange. For high-volume clay shooting days, less recoil means better shot-to-shot consistency and faster recovery time.

Why is the harder lead shot better for clay targets?

Harder lead shot holds its shape better through the barrel and in flight, which translates to tighter, more consistent patterns and better performance at distance. This engineered hardness-to-density balance is what separates premium target loads from standard shotshells.

Will these cycle reliably in my shotgun?

The brass head design ensures flawless cycling and extraction. These are purpose-built for high-volume shooting, so they should feed and eject reliably in properly functioning 12 gauge shotguns.