[LoneStarWings]

The gun:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c55/LoneStarWings/870.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c55/LoneStarWings/bigdot.jpg

The ammo:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c55/LoneStarWings/bucks.jpg


Patterned 3 shots each with each ammo at each distance and came up with this for averages (not including the wad):

7 yards
Federal: 4.49"
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c55/LoneStarWings/fedbuck1ontarget.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c55/LoneStarWings/fedbuck2ontarget.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c55/LoneStarWings/fedbuck3ontarget.jpg
Remington: 4.431"
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c55/LoneStarWings/rembuck1ontarget.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c55/LoneStarWings/rembuck2ontarget.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c55/LoneStarWings/rembuck3ontarget.jpg

15 yards:
Federal: 6.332"
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c55/LoneStarWings/fedbuck4ontarget.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c55/LoneStarWings/fedbuck5ontarget.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c55/LoneStarWings/fedbuck6ontarget.jpg
Remington: 8.591"
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c55/LoneStarWings/rembuck4ontarget.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c55/LoneStarWings/rembuck5ontarget.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c55/LoneStarWings/rembuck6ontarget.jpg
Sample Photo:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c55/LoneStarWings/rembuck2ontarget.jpg

I find it odd that the remington is a bit tighter at 7 yards, but a good bit looser at 15 yards. Also, the wad on the remington stays a lot closer to the pellets, is this worth considering for any reason?

Really, no clear winner between the two.....both would probably be just fine for defensive use I guess. Any advice on other ammo to try?

[Youngster]

Buckshot patterns don't always open up linearly, sometimes a difference of only a few yards will see a pattern open up to what seems to be an incredible degree, once its had the chance to go downrange a bit. This is another reason why it's important to pattern your stuff.

[nathan]

20 yds it will probably be 10 inch circle. Anything is dead meat within that kill zone.

[gego]

What choke did you use?

[LoneStarWings]

No choke, smooth bore, this is my defensive-oriented shotgun.

[Youngster]

Any advice on other ammo to try?

These are my favorites;

Federal Vital Shok line
Winchester Supreme line
Any manufacturer's 000
Remington and Winchester 2.75" #1 buck

I also have a lot of respect for the Federal FliteControl line, although I don't normally use it.

[Fred Fuller]

Try some of the really cheap stuff- S&B or RIO Royal for example.

Then try some premium loads, like Hornady TAP, or Federal Premium/LE loads with the FliteControl wad.

I think you'll notice more difference in the 'far ends' of the spectrum than in comparing two 'middle spectrum' loads.

lpl

[AcceptableUserName]

Is it true the Vital Shok rounds have the Flitecontrol wad as well? I've heard they do....how much difference between Federal Tactical and Vital Shok?

[Fred Fuller]

Last one I 'autopsied' didn't. AFAIK only the Federal Premium or LE loads use it, in their line.

lpl

[AcceptableUserName]

I've heard conflicting things but I believe you're right. Where can I get the full-power Federal Tactical 00? I honestly have never seen ANY locally.

[Youngster]

Is it true the Vital Shok rounds have the Flitecontrol wad as well? I've heard they do....how much difference between Federal Tactical and Vital Shok?

There's a couple of loads in the Vital Shok {aka Premium} line that use FC but they're the exception.

Vital Shok is plated, buffered, shotcupped {at least in 12 gauge}, full power ammo that in non FC form may or may not use a better wad than the regular Power Shok line. I know the Tactical loads are a bit longer than normal but I'm not sure about the FliteControl 2.75" Vital Shok.

[AcceptableUserName]

I have TONS of Vital Shok but nowhere does it mention the "Flitecontrol Wad Technology"

[Youngster]

There's only like 2 loads that have it, a 9 and a 12 pellet 00.

Sorry couldn't find a better picture but you get the idea.

http://media.midwayusa.com/highres/691137.jpg

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=691137

[AcceptableUserName]

weird. all of mine are 9 pellet...

[Youngster]

They make Vital Shok 00 without FC, in fact they must make almost all of it without as the FliteControl stuff seems to be somewhat rare and IME a lot of folks aren't even aware that Federal even makes a non Tactical FC buck load.

[Wayne G.]

Lonestar,

Unrelated, but what is that second picture with the green canvas?

Can't figure out that critter...

Thanks for posting your patterning results!

[Fred Fuller]

WayneG,

Looks like an XS Big Dot front sight...

http://www.xssights.com/store/shotgun.html

lpl (not that I've ever seen one before)

[LoneStarWings]

Yeah, it's a big dot front sight. I don't have a rear sight on it, but it makes a nice bead.