Federal Top Gun shotshells are lead target loads designed to crush clay targets and bring down upland game birds. And with the right choke tube, Top Gun loads can travel up to 1200 fps and put dense patterns downrange for sporting clays, dove, and quail.
Several choke tubes work really well with Federal Top Gun ammo and Carlson’s Sporting Clays choke tube in Improved Cylinder, is the top choice. It’s highly customizable since it’s offered in almost every choke size available, and it can deliver some impressive patterns with Top Gun ammo.

Best Federal Top Gun Choke Tubes
These are the three sporting clays choke tubes you should consider using with Federal Top Gun ammo. They can provide dense patterns downrange for both sporting clays and upland game hunting.
1) Carlson’s Extended Choke Tube
Carlson’s Sporting Clay choke tube series is designed to provide consistent results while shooting clay targets, but they also happen to work just as well for upland game birds. These stainless steel extended chokes have proven to work well with Federal Top Gun ammunition. This combo is capable of cleanly breaking clays past 40 yards. It’s available in Cylinder through Full, but the Improved Cylinder is the one to get. This is the TOP pick.
- 30 YEARS WORTH OF PATTERNS: No other...
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2) Patternmaster Anaconda Choke Tube
Patternmaster’s Anaconda choke works extremely well with small lead shot and the wad system that is found in Federal Top Gun Ammo. The Anaconda features gas over coil technology that helps to dissipate and channel the gas expansion for better patterns. It’s a solid option for sporting clays and upland game hunting inside 30 yards.
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3) Carlson’s White Wing Choke Tube
The White Wing dove choke by Carlson’s is another option for added range in high winds or days the birds are flying high. This choke comes in Improved Modified and paired with 7.5 shot is a good combo for shots to 35 yards. If you already have good luck with Carlson’s chokes in other sizes, check out this IM choke. This is the BUDGET pick.
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- HIGH-QUALITY MANUFACTURED: Our high...
- HIGH PERFORMANCE: Carlson's Choke Tubes...
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Why the Carlson’s Sporting Clays Choke is the best choke for Top Gun Ammo
- Smooth bored choke works well with Top Gun Wads
- The modified choke paired with Top Gun Ammo gives max range with lead shot
- Lead shot is rated for Carlson’s Sporting Clay’s Chokes
- Can put 80% or more pellets into a 30-inch circle at 30 yards
- Carlson’s Sporting Clay chokes are affordable compared to similar choke tubes
What are Federal Top Gun Shotshells?
Federal Top Gun loads are light lead shotshells designed for accuracy on the skeet range. They are available in both 410 bore, 20, and 12 gauge sizes, and range in speed between 1145 fps and 1330 fps. Top Gun ammo are loaded with #8 or #7.5 lead pellets in a plastic wad.
Load weights for Top Gun ammo are offered in 1 ounce and 1 1/8 ounce for 12 gauge and 7/8 ounce for 20 gauge. Federal Top Gun ammo are packaged 25 shotshells per box and 250 shells per case.
Federal Top Gun Ammo Reviews
Federal Top Gun ammo has been available for several years now and the reviews have been highly positive. It’s proven itself for competitive skeet shooting and delivering dense patterns to 30 yards while hunting as well.
Lead pellets in Top Gun loads are uniform and round, just as you would expect from premium lead loads. Perfectly round pellets help increase range and penetration at the ranges these loads were designed for.

Types of Federal Top Gun Shotshells
- 410 Bore, 2 ½ inch, #7.5 shot, ½ oz, 1330 fps
- 20 gauge, 2 ¾ inch, #8 shot, 7/8 oz, 1210 fps
- 12 gauge, 2 ¾ inch, #7.5 or #8 shot, 1 1/8 oz, 1200 fps
Other Federal Sporting Clay ammo to consider
Other ammo to consider by Federal are the Heavy Upland Loads, Dove Upland Loads, Flyer Pigeon Loads, Wing Shok Ammo, Gold Medal, and Prairie Storm. Each of these loads by Federal offer a slight variation geared toward certain game birds.
For an alternative to Top Gun shotshells, Federal Gold Metal ammo is that perfect mix of performance and affordability. These shells are the pinnacle of sporting clays shooting, and should be compared to Top Gun shells if you seek the best performance.
What to expect
When it comes to choosing the right choke tube for the Federal Top Gun ammo, Carlson’s Sporting Clay choke stands out from its competitors. The Carlson’s Sporting Clay choke is engineered with a unique design that provides consistent and even shot patterns, resulting in better accuracy and a higher precision. Unlike most of its competitors, the Sporting Clay choke ensures that the shot is evenly distributed, reducing the chances of having holes or gaps in your pattern. Overall, the Carlson’s Sporting Clay choke is a top performer, delivering outstanding results that set it apart from the competition.
Bottom Line
Federal Top Gun shotshells were designed to deliver lead pellets consistently and evenly at ranges inside 30 yards for sporting clay shoots and upland game bird hunting.
The Carlson’s Sporting Clays choke tube works extremely well with Top Gun ammo. The Improved Cylinder is the choke size to get for most applications. This versatile choke is affordable and highly customizable since it’s offered in just about every choke size.
Top Gun ammo is capable of hitting speeds of 1330 fps in the 410 bore loads and 1200 fps in 12 gauge. This mix of large payload and speed makes it one of the best sporting clay ammo choices available right now at an affordable price.
Other Sporting Clay Chokes to Consider
- Carlson’s White Wing Dove Choke
- TRUGLO Double Threat Choke Tube
- Browning MIDAS Choke Tube
- Browning Diana Choke Tube
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Last update on 2025-09-07 / Affiliate links / Product Images from Amazon Product Advertising API