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Winchester® Defender®, Technology Driven Ammunition for Personal Defense

EAST ALTON, IL (July 6, 2023) — Ammunition built specifically for personal defense needs continues to be a high priority among first-time firearms buyers. The Winchester Defender line of ammunition is the most comprehensive lineup of technology driven products in the industry with more than 20 offerings combined in the pistol, shotgun and rifle categories.

Winchester® Defender®, Technology Driven Ammunition for Personal Defense

The diverse lineup within the Winchester Defender family provides many innovative options to keep you and your family safe in any situation. Winchester Defender products provide leading performance through premium materials and manufacturing processes to create the ultimate self-defense products.

Defender Centerfire Pistol Ammunition—

Defender Centerfire Pistol Chart

Defender Centerfire Rifle Ammunition—

Winchester Defender Rifle products feature premium bonded bullets for consistent expansion and deep driving penetration.

Defender Centerfire Rifle Chart


Defender Shotshell Ammunition—

Defender Shotshell is available in 12 gauge, 20 gauge and .410 bore with multiple payload offerings including segmenting slugs, buck shot and combination loads.

Defender Close Range was designed with home defense in mind, where likely shooting distances are within 10-20 feet. This load offers an incredibly high pellet count with approximately 100 copper plated lead #2 pellets which deliver tremendous energy on target while still reducing the risk of over penetration. The load is further improved by a cushioned wad that reduces felt recoil and an engineered wad for consistent dense patterns at close range.

The .410 Defender ammunition is compatible in both handguns and shotguns and features a distinctive black hull and black oxide high-base head and combines plated Defense DiscTM projectiles and plated BB shot pellets. The result is the ideal personal defense load for short range engagement with the performance needed to reduce aim error and stop threats.

Defender Shotshell Chart



About Winchester Ammunition

Winchester is the largest small caliber ammunition enterprise in the world and the leader in delivering innovative ammunition products to hunters, sport shooters, law enforcement, and the U.S. Warfighter. The 158-year-old Winchester brand is built on integrity, hard work, and a deep focus on its loyal customers. Learn more about Winchester by visiting Winchester.com or connecting with us on Facebook at Facebook.com/WinchesterOfficial.

Winchester: Committed to Safe, Legal and Responsible Firearm Use

As a global leader in the shooting sports and hunting industry, and a brand of 158 years, Winchester is committed to safe, legal and responsible firearm use. Winchester works with key groups like the National Shooting Sports Foundation on a variety of topics important to our industry, including training and education, and on specific programs such as Gun Owners Care and Project ChildSafe. Winchester will continue to support programs, organizations and individuals who promote hunting and shooting sports activities in a positive and responsible environment. Any use of firearms by youth participants should be done under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian or other responsible adult.

Gun Owners Care®

You care about safety. You care about preventing unauthorized access to firearms. You care about bettering your community, helping those in need, and conserving wildlife and wild places for generations to come. It’s time for gun owners to tell their stories and show how they're making a difference. NSSF®, the trade association for the firearms industry, has established the Gun Owners Care® campaign to unite gun owners and the firearms industry in this common cause. Visit gunownerscare.org for more information.



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