Buckshot Testing

[Unobtanium]

No holes were covered with placement of boxes or writing or box-ends. Keep an eye to the edges as some pellets barely nipped the target. All grid is 1". Three shots were fired for each loading at 25 yards, and their actual velocities were recorded. Velocities were recorded at 1m from the muzzle, so as to provide accurate readings on the load of shot, rather than the further distances used for pistol and rifle. The test platform was a Benelli Super Nova Tactical, which has an 18.5" chrome-lined CYL/non-constricted bore.

The best and worst patterning loads were then fired for 1 shot each, at 15, and 35 yards, to show the difference 10 yards +- would make in the pattern. No velocities were recorded for this.


*No, there was no mix-up with the Remington ammunition and velocities. I dunno what to say. Blame Big Green's QA/QC. Weird.

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[StraitR]

While the patterns are mostly representative of how your Benelli shoots each type, the velocities are quite useful to all. That said, I can't say I'm surprised by the pattern results either. Thank you for doing this, and sharing. I enjoy your shotgun threads.

My LGS doesn't stock Federal Flight Control, or at least order enough of it to ever be in-stock when I visit. I picked up a couple boxes of the Hornady LR 00 w/ VersaTight, since that's what they had in the "Flight Control" variety.

Do you have place you can recommend to buy the FFC No. 1?

[Unobtanium]

While the patterns are mostly representative of how your Benelli shoots each type, the velocities are quite useful to all. That said, I can't say I'm surprised by the pattern results either. Thank you for doing this, and sharing. I enjoy your shotgun threads.

My LGS doesn't stock Federal Flight Control, or at least order enough of it to ever be in-stock when I visit. I picked up a couple boxes of the Hornady LR 00 w/ VersaTight, since that's what they had in the "Flight Control" variety.

Do you have place you can recommend to buy the FFC No. 1?

You're welcome. I also shot up some Flite Control 00 1145fps 9-pellet. THe data has been added. Now I have fired every current FC loading I am aware of.

I do not have a source for #1 FC at this time, as you have noted, it is OOS through most channels except LE.

[Unobtanium]

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[StraitR]

Hornady seems to come up a bit short of their advertised velocities, but Federal is almost spot on. Impressive.

With the Hornady LE advertised at 1600, but coming in around 1575fps, I wonder how short the Hornady LE low recoil would be of their advertised 1100pfs.

[DocGKR]

Another pretty good example why the Fed FC #1 buckshot load is the best available.

[GyroF-16]

While the patterns are mostly representative of how your Benelli shoots each type, the velocities are quite useful to all. That said, I can't say I'm surprised by the pattern results either. Thank you for doing this, and sharing. I enjoy your shotgun threads.

My LGS doesn't stock Federal Flight Control, or at least order enough of it to ever be in-stock when I visit. I picked up a couple boxes of the Hornady LR 00 w/ VersaTight, since that's what they had in the "Flight Control" variety.

Do you have place you can recommend to buy the FFC No. 1?

I got mine from SGAmmo here:
http://www.sgammo.com/product/12-gauge-ammo/50-round-box-12-gauge-federal-number-1-buckshot-flite-control-wad-le132-1b
But it looks like it’s out of stock now.
I’ve signed up for notification when back in stock.

[Unobtanium]

Hornady seems to come up a bit short of their advertised velocities, but Federal is almost spot on. Impressive.

With the Hornady LE advertised at 1600, but coming in around 1575fps, I wonder how short the Hornady LE low recoil would be of their advertised 1100pfs.

The hornady is actually spot on. Their box velocity is from a 30 inch barrel. Their LE site lists actual velocity as 1442 from a benelli m1, 18.5.

[revchuck38]

Unobtanium - Thanks for doing this! Your results reflect what I've found from my own testing with my 590A1. Now I have a bunch of Remington LE 8 pellet and Winchester Ranger to shoot up. ;) I've settled on the FC 8 pellet load.


I got mine from SGAmmo here:
http://www.sgammo.com/product/12-gauge-ammo/50-round-box-12-gauge-federal-number-1-buckshot-flite-control-wad-le132-1b
But it looks like it’s out of stock now.
I’ve signed up for notification when back in stock.

Thanks for the link, I signed up too since I'd like to give this a try.