Author Topic: New Federal turkey shells (Read 951 times)

killab · « **on:** March 03, 2005, 06:25:29 AM »

Anybody done any patterning on the new shells with the "Flitecontrol" wad or the "Heavyweight" shells. The Heavyweight has the Flitecontrol wad, but it is their answer to Hevi-shot.

Or do most of you think that it (Hevi-shot, Heavyweight) is alot of hype and not worth the money? Or that the maximum range should stay at 40-50 yards?

I would like to hear all opinions.

daddywpb · « **Reply #1 on:** March 05, 2005, 03:11:35 PM »

My opinion, and it probably won't be the norm, is that 40 - 50 yards is way to far to shoot at a turkey. All you'll do is fill a lot of good meat with shot. I don't understand the thinking behind more and more shot, and longer shells. I fired a 3 1/2" turkey load - once. Why would anyone want to use a shell with the recoil of a heavy rifle used on dangerous game to kill a 20 pound bird. My personal max range on a turkey is 30 yards, and I'll pass on that if it isn't a perfect setup, or if there's a chance to call it in closer. I'm sure if one of the ammo makers teams up with one of the firearms makers and come up with a 4" 12 gauge, it'll be even more popular. Pick your setup carefully and use your calling skill to call 'em in close. The thrill is worth the effort.

varmit_master · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2005, 06:38:11 PM »

HI i talk to a GUn shop here in Batesville Ark that makes chokes and turkey guns and they said the new WIN hevi Shot out shot the FED shot but the Win shot the same as the Remington Hevi Shot plus the Rem shot is cheaper VM

Power · « **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2005, 06:08:23 PM »

I'm curious too to try the Federal Flight Control loads. Can't seem to find them anywhere around, no one has them yet. Another forum I frequent gave medium results with them.

Since I can only keep my pattern good to 30 yards I'd like to try to extend that 5-10 yards. If I can do some testing I'll let you know.

Carutht · « **Reply #4 on:** March 25, 2005, 03:17:18 PM »

Power,
I have done some testing lately with Remington Hevi-shot. 40 yards with 1 7/8 of #4 or #6 with either the Remington Hevi-shot tube or the Rhino will do the trick in my gun. The Rhino is quite spectacular with #4 at 40 yards. I have targets at 50 yards that are very good with the Remington Hevi-shot tube and 1 7/8 #6 as well. Very good means 8 - 10 pellets in the brain and spine.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** April 04, 2005, 06:12:39 AM »

If you can get to a Sportsmans Warehouse, they have the new Federal ammo. I ordered mine from Cabelas before Sportsmans got it, though. Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, am looking for a cheaper alternative to Hevi shot. FWIW, Rem Hevi shot 3½" #6 patterns very effectively at 40yds+ in my 835 with a MAD Super Max Hevi-Shot tube.

I have a concern about the Flightcontrol wads, if they do what they say, a close shot could be tough if the pellets are still in the wad, and may result in a headless tom.....or a miss! :oops:

New Hampshire · « **Reply #6 on:** April 04, 2005, 12:12:27 PM »

I picked up some 3" of the new Federals this past weekend (along with some Winchester Supreme Turk loads.) All I could get was 2oz loadings, so Ill try both and see how they work. I too am looking for something less expensive than the Hevi-Shot. I dont know what the heck I was thinking paying $27 for a box of 10 shells that, with my choke and load combination, shot only so-so. I need to get my new sights set before I start testing though. Ill post my results when I get around to shooting the new Feds.
Brian M.

Power · « **Reply #7 on:** April 04, 2005, 04:35:09 PM »

Thanks for the feedback. I can't find any shells around here at all except the Hevishot and it doesn't pattern very well in my gun so that was money out the window. The Win. XX are the best I've shot but always looking for a better load. If I do get some I'll post my results too.

daddywpb · « **Reply #8 on:** April 04, 2005, 09:44:28 PM »

Have you tried the Remington Premier Turkey loads? They ended up being the best in my gun.

varmit_master · « **Reply #9 on:** April 05, 2005, 04:50:25 AM »

Hi i got a box of 10ga Remington Hevi Shot the box cost me around 30.00 dollars the only place in town that had them and they only had 2 boxes one in 5's and one in 6's i got the one in 6's the other BEST turkey load out is Win Hevi Shot too But for lead the Best ones out is the Win high vel. loads i ws out at Andserson' Custom Chokes and Shotguns' and they tried the new Federal didnt pattern very good i using a custom choke in my Benelli and Rem SP 10ga VM

Power · « **Reply #10 on:** April 06, 2005, 03:20:47 PM »

Best loads my 870 likes are the Win XX Turkey load 2oz #5's. Better than any Hevishot or Federal load (but that's just my gun).

Finally couldn't stand it and ordered some Federal FC shells from Cabelas. Too bad they don't get here until the day before the opener but I'm going to try them and see how they perform. Same price as the Win. XX's so not a big deal if they don't do that well.

john noldin · « **Reply #11 on:** April 08, 2005, 11:54:22 AM »

I shot some of the fed hvy wghts in #6 31/2 inch and compared it to remington hevishot #5, 31/2 inch out of a super black eagleII ( because the density of the fed product is greater than hevi shot foot/lbs are about equal between #4 lead #5 hevishot and #6 heavy wght) I got 12 pellets in each head/neck at 50yds off a benchrest open sights. This was with the standard factory full choke as I'm having a hard time finding a "TURKEY CHOKE" for this gun at the moment. the earlier post is correct close range could be a problem at 10yds the shot pattern was at a 4-5inch spread

killab · « **Reply #12 on:** April 12, 2005, 04:14:36 AM »

Well, I started this thread and did something different. Wally World had the 3" Hevi-shot High Velocity (1.5 oz of #6) on closeout for $15 a box! :eek: Had to have some! Patterned in my gun at 40 yards with 10 in the spine and brain. I shoot a 870 Express, 28" barrel with a Hastings 0.655 constriction turkey choke. I know the choke is "too tight" for Hevi-shot but it patterned well. Three weekends left, I'll wait until next year to try something different.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #13 on:** April 12, 2005, 05:26:55 PM »

I wouldn't recommend using Hevi shot in any tube that doesn't specify whether it's for lead shot only or not. Most tubes will say lead shot only, meaning no steel or Hevi shot....I'd contact Hastings to find out for sure to avoid damage to you firearm. It will usually be marked right on the tube for extended chokes. I went to the Hastings' web site, found nothing specific about Hevi shot, but there is contact info....

http://www.hastingsbarrels.com/contact.html