Federal Tactical same as Flight Control?

[Pnut]

I was digging through my old ammo stash and found a case of Federal Tactical buckshot (LE132 00). They are in blue and grey boxes. I’ve had the ammo sitting for about 15-20 years!!! I Googled the product number and it now comes back to Federal Flight Control.

I’ve recently found new interest in shotguns and heared that the FC are the go-to rounds for buckshot as far as tight patterns. Does anyone know if my old shells are the same or has the technology advanced over the years? Should I pattern my 1301 with the rounds I have or should I invest in a case of FC’s… if I can even find them anywhere!?!?

[Erick Gelhaus]

I'm not exactly sure when the FED FC came out. I would guess that is the 2nd gen of the reduced recoil defensive/tactical load. The first was H132 in the early, mid 90s, followed by the LE132. 9 copper plated pellets, stacked differently, with a buffer material (grex?).

[Lon]

Easy way to find out is to cut one open. The FC wad is pretty distinctive.

[WobblyPossum]

Go out and pattern what you have. If it patterns well and you’ve already got a stack of it, then you’re set. If it doesn’t pattern well then buy some FC and shoot this stuff off in practice or training.

[Glenn E. Meyer]

I seem to recall but I cannot vouch for this memory, that I had Federal Tactical and Flight Control in a Given's shotgun class. The Tactical did not pattern has well as the Flight Control. That was a few years ago and I might be yelling at a cloud.

[ST911]

May help: https://le.vistaoutdoor.com/ammunition/federal/buckshot/default.aspx

May not include skus that are contract loads or not commercially available. No tactical line published on commercial side.

Just looked at some old (mid-90s?) cases, 2-3 box designs ago. Marked tactical, sku LE13200. Funny, they have an add-on round black sticker on each box that reads "features new flitecontrol wad". Probably ought to shoot that.

[167]

It could have the same product # and not be Flite Control if it is old enough. Currently, that product number (LE13200) is a FC load.

As already mentioned, just cut one open. The FC wad is a long white cylinder looking thing before it has been fired.

100174

[Pnut]

As suggested I cut open a round, and they are not FLIGHT CONTROL wads…
100189
100190100191

[WobblyPossum]

Let us know how they pattern in your 1301. Mine didn’t really like the non-FliteControl Federal buck but, as Tom Givens says, every shotgun barrel is a unique and individual snowflake.

[jnc36rcpd]

If I recall correctly, Federal Tactical was originally just reduced recoil rounds. The name was changed because Tactical sounds cooler and we macho guys don't want no wimpy reduced recoil...but if if's Tactical, that's another story.

[167]

As suggested I cut open a round, and they are not FLIGHT CONTROL wads…


Yup, that is just Federal’s Triple Plus wad. Same as what is used in their Power Shok, Estate, and every other “standard” buckshot load that Federal makes now days. The plated and buffered shot will probably mean decent patterns (especially if combined with a little choke), but won’t be Flite Control good.

[Pnut]

If I recall correctly, Federal Tactical was originally just reduced recoil rounds. The name was changed because Tactical sounds cooler and we macho guys don't want no wimpy reduced recoil...but if if's Tactical, that's another story.

Well they doubled the testosterone levels with TACTICAL and LAW ENFORCEMENT on the box!!!