How does spreading work?

all ya gotta do to open things up is swap

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I see your point. Wasn't thinking that way.
Pete

Great input from Fred Fuller and others here, the absolute best of which is that you really don't know what your gun/load combo might be doing unless you pattern it. I used to do a TON of patterning and load development for my 12 and 20 ga. shotguns, both of which had 26" IC and Modified chokes. With patterning and load development work you can make about any choke do about anything that you need, within reason. Juggling shot size, shot weight, wads, powder charge, and hulls, you can very dramatically alter the on-target results. IME, there is waaay more to be gained in load development for a shotgun than a rifle or pistol.

"...with a CYL choke barrel ... ... all ya gotta do to open things up is swap shells. Not even any need to spin choke tubes in and out.
I do love tight patterns, but there's a stash of S&B 00 buck here too, in case a 'to whom it may concern' situation arises. Everyone always says versatility is the shotgun's strong point..." Fred Fuller


Excellent observation on the cylinder bore!

With the development of the Flite-Control wad, choke has been literally built in to the wad. Thus the classic cylinder bore riot gun can now fire tight long range buckshot patterns or wide open hallway distance patterns with just a change of ammo.

I read once about commercially prepared shot charges that were available a long time ago, back in the muzzleloading era, for muzzle loading shotguns. The shot charges were packaged in fine wire (copper, I think it was) mesh 'cages' that contained the shot to some degree and limited spread over distance. So the concept behind FliteControl is not really new. But the execution of it, as allowed by self-contained cartridges and repeating shotguns, is definitely a current development ... and a concept we all need to adopt the appropriate mindset to use to maximum advantage.

Patterns can vary. I can get anywhere between 4-5 inches @ 25 yards with FliteControl (Federal LE 127 or LE 132) up to 8-feet at 15 yards (gimmick flechette rounds I got at a gun show just to test). Both patterns out of the same gun.

I love the Federal stuff, but indoors I have Fiocchi 12HV4BK in the translucent shells, just because I want a little more spread.

Fred Fuller said:

That is pretty much a classic formula. One inch per yard from a FC, two inches per yard from an Cyl choke.

That WAS a classic formula.

My current house gun will print patterns of about 4" (four inches) at 25 yards (75 feet) out of a factory 18" CYL bore 870 shotgun barrel with Federal LE 127 00 with FliteControl.

When FliteControl first appeared, some gun scribes complained that its patterns out of off-the-rack riot guns were TOO tight... no such thing, IMO, but YMMV.

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As you eloquently wrote, this ammunition is a game changer because the wad holds the buck shot together for at least 20-25 yards out of my FNH SLP. With dialed in C-MORE on top, pop cans at 20-25 yards are routinely hit, even by those who have never fired a shotgun. Put a paper target on plywood and the wads are either sticking out of the target or they are on the ground below.

At home defense distances, flight control buckshot removes the need for using slugs against felonious intruders.

At 10yds, empty 10 gallon propane tanks are fully penetrated with a large hole that is surrounded by a very large dimple.

FC

I just spent some time reading up on the Flite Control technology. Impressive.
I wish that I could get my hands on a bag of those wads.
Unfortunately, Federal offers little that I can use with the FC wads..... unless I missed something.
Most of my shooting is ATA Trap singles (FC would be helpful for handicap loads) and Upland hunting. Did not see anything that would be useful... but if I could hand load them....
Pete

Fred Fuller said:

I read once about commercially prepared shot charges that were available a long time ago, back in the muzzleloading era, for muzzle loading shotguns. The shot charges were packaged in fine wire (copper, I think it was) mesh 'cages' that contained the shot to some degree and limited spread over distance. So the concept behind FliteControl is not really new. But the execution of it, as allowed by self-contained cartridges and repeating shotguns, is definitely a current development ... and a concept we all need to adopt the appropriate mindset to use to maximum advantage.

Click to expand...

Indeed so! Here is a reference to one such patented shot concentrator from the 1820's.

http://www.muzzleloadingshotguns.com/articles/eleypatentwirecartridges

Good find.

I never knew they used buffering too!