Editor’s Choice: Winchester AA Diamond Grade Elite

posted on April 4, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
winchaa.jpg

Winchester Ammunition has a high-performance addition to its a shotshell lineup. Called AA Diamond Grade Elite, these are loads intended for serious clays shooters, and the timing couldn't be better for a premium product like this, as clay-shooting competitions continue to expand across the country.

These clay-shooting shotshells employ the AA wad, but the lead shot has higher antimony content, so it does not deform as much as softer shot upon firing. Also, the shot is copper-plated and sorted for size and concentricity. One of the additional benefits of the AA wad is that it is designed to reduce felt recoil for the shooter by absorbing some of the energy from the shotshell's firing.

Thanks to the sorted shot and its protection from deformation during firing, the Winchester AA Diamond Grade shells are purpose-built to provide a perfect shot pattern that breaks clays in even the most challenging circumstances. The use of hardened shot means that shot patterns stay tighter, allowing shotgunners to break clays at extended distances.

It is available in 12 gauge only in 1-oz. loads at either 1250 or 1350 f.p.s. or in 1 
1⁄8-oz. loads at 1250 or 1300 f.p.s. winchester.com

Latest

W3645 AFF 8419+
W3645 AFF 8419+

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 7, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Gun of the Week: Zev Technologies x Magpul FDP-C

One of the most anticipated firearm releases of 2026 was the Zev Technologies FDP, a folding pistol-caliber design that the company produced in conjunction with Magpul Industries.

Review: Taurus 22TUC

Taurus USA's 22TUC is a little, polymer-framed .22 pocket pistol with a tip-up barrel design that, unlike many of the company's guns, is made entirely in the United States.

Korea Coast Guard Increases KelTec KSG Tactical Shotgun Inventory

KelTec recently announced that the Korea Coast Guard has ordered more KSG shotguns to join those already in service aboard the branch's patrol vessel fleet.

Rifleman Review: Mossberg 990 Aftershock

In 2025, Mossberg added to the non-NFA, shotshell-firing firearm category with its 990 Aftershock, which uses a semi-automatic operating mechanism while still maintaining a compact form factor.

Next-Gen Micro Red-Dot: The Steiner MPS 2.0

Steiner Optics has introduced the next-generation version of its Micro Pistol Sight, a red-dot optic that first hit the market in 2021.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.