Ozark, MO — Fiocchi Ammunition proudly announces the launch of its all-new Predator & Pest™ shotshell line, purpose-built for sub-gauge hunters who demand serious performance. Designed specifically for .410 bore, 28 gauge, and 20 gauge, this innovative lineup delivers the much needed solution for raccoons, opossums, skunks, nutria, ditch tigers, and the ever-resourceful landfill rats.

At the heart of Predator & Pest™ is Fiocchi's proprietary Duplex Density Matrix™, blending two unlikely partners: osmium, the densest naturally occurring metal known to man, and saltpeter, sourced from The Great Salt Lake, Utah. This historic compound dates back to the 1800s, when farmers relied on salt-based loads for rat and rodent control in the barnyards, minimizing collateral damage.

"With tungsten prices climbing faster than a raccoon up a corn crib, we challenged ourselves to think differently," said Fiocchi product manager Ben T. Franklin. "The result is a payload that's high on terminal performance, while modernizing a time-tested formula at a very affordable price point."

The osmium component delivers unmatched density and downrange energy, while the saltpeter serves a dual purpose: a buffering agent to the osmium pellets, and a short-range peppering projectile. Together, the combination has earned a nickname among field testers - the Salt and Pepper Strafer.

Adding a little fire (quite literally) to the equation is Fiocchi's PhosTrace™ Illumination Technology. This phosphorus-infused element ignites briefly upon discharge, allowing shooters to visually track the shot string in low-light conditions. Whether viewed with the naked eye or through thermal and infrared optics, the pattern streaks toward the target like a cruise missile on a mission.

"Predator & Pest provides instant shooter feedback," said Franklin. "You're not guessing where your pattern went… you're watching it happen in real time."

Fiocchi does offer a small but important note of caution: extremely close-range engagements may result in unintended, excitable scenarios. In testing, the phosphorus effect has, on occasion, been known to singe fur—adding a level of urgency to any pest's exit strategy.

Supporting this advanced payload is Fiocchi's TriSeal Vector Wad™, a multi-stage, eco-friendly system engineered to manage the unique duplex blend. Featuring a reinforced gas seal, shock-absorbing midsection, and precision-cut petals, the soy-based wad ensures consistent patterning and controlled dispersion across all sub-gauge platforms.

Renowned central Pennsylvania outdoorsman and writer Ward Archer, who played a key role in early product development, offered his perspective:

"I've spent a lifetime chasing critters that prefer the dark, and I've never seen anything quite like this. We started calling it 'salt and pepper' pretty quick—partly because of what's in it, and partly because of what it does. You touch one off at night, and it's like striking a match across the sky. I'll tell you this… the pests notice."

Archer smugly added with a smirk—and what Fiocchi describes as "hard-earned experience":

"Make sure that you are aware of your surroundings when using shotshell. It brought new meaning to hearing 'hold my beer' followed by a 'whoa' as we were shooting some rats at my local dump. Upon impact, one took off like a wild banshee with its fur a blazin' and lit up a small field fire—the conditions were bone dry. Good thing we had a case of Yuengling and a shovel in the back of my '48 Willys to douse it out or we'd still be explaining things to the fire chief."

Shot sizes will be offered in multiple duplex configurations tailored to specific pests and predators, ensuring optimal performance within realistic sub-gauge distances.

The Fiocchi Predator & Pest™ line—where advanced metallurgy meets home-grown ingenuity… with just enough spark to keep things hopping.

For more information on Fiocchi ammunition, visit www.fiocchiusa.com or contact your local dealer—if they're not already trying to order a case.

While Fiocchi stands firmly behind the innovation and engineering of Predator & Pest™, the company would like to gently remind the public that this launch coincides with April Fool's Day—though based on early reactions, not everyone is ready to laugh it off.