Product Review: MIGRA’s Field Lite Load
by Tom Keer
In the past century, there have been more changes in shotshells than in firearm design. Debuting in fall 2025, MIGRA Ammunition’s new Field Lite load joins an ever-expanding roster. Since the company’s 2016 launch, MIGRA has focused heavily on non-toxic waterfowl loads. They entered the upland market in 2024 with their Dove Load, and based on its success, they added another offering for uplanders last fall. The Field Lite features MIGRA’s Stacked Load Technology, which offers two sizes of shot while delivering a lighter payload with lower recoil.
The Field Lite currently is available in a 2¾-inch, one-ounce load for 20-gauge shotguns. Like their other products, MIGRA loads are handmade in their main manufacturing plant in Tennessee. They source components from facilities in Canada and in Spain with the strategy of creating a triangulated sourcing/manufacturing approach. By safeguarding the regular flow of components, MIGRA has avoided out-of-stock issues that have plagued the shooting sports industry. They also can reduce additional tariff fees that drive up price points on a premium products. One 25-round box of Field Lite loads carries an MSRP of $18.99.
MIGRA’s innovative, stacked-shot technology blends together two sizes of shot – No. 7.5 and No. 9 – in a one-ounce load. The larger, hard-hitting shot is combined with more, smaller sized pellets that offer enhanced spread. MIGRA uses custom wads and blended powders in their easy to spot white hulls, and because of the full ounce of shot, a high brass head is used. The velocity is 1300 FPS.
Part of the allure of a stacked, two shot-size load is that it is versatile in situations where a hunter might find a variety of different gamebirds. I tested my loads on a New Hampshire grouse/woodcock hunt. Whereas I normally would load No. 9s for use in a woodcock cover and No. 7.5s for a grouse cover, I could use one shell that was appropriate for flushes from either bird. The full ounce load is heavier than I typically shoot in the uplands, and I found the pattern to be a little tight with a Skeet in/out combination. Performances at this close and medium distances of inside of 25 yards improved after shifting to a looser choke configuration of Cylinder and Skeet, and the Field Lite provided consistent patterns and improved kills. On the sporting clays course, I shifted to a tighter choke constriction of Improved Cylinder and Modified and found clean breaks up to 40 yards.
Drew McIntosh is the founder and owner of MIGRA Ammunition. Like technology giants Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, McIntosh looked for better performing shells and began making them in his garage. After a few years of positive performance reviews from friends and family, he decided to focus on shotshell design, development, and sales as a full-fledged business.
“Field Lite takes everything hunters loved about our Field and Dove product lines and packaged it into a lighter, more versatile option built for the small game hunter,” McIntosh said. “It’s fun to shoot, easy on the shoulder, and still delivers the reliable performance MIGRA is known for – every time you pull the trigger.”
MIGRA Ammunition was welcomed into SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute) in March 2025. For more information, visit migraammunitions.com.
