12ga Flite Control patterning

[JamieC]

I just attended an all day Tactical Shotgun class. During the day, we patterned several different buckshot loads. I brought some 00 buckshot and some #1 both Federal Flite Control. Both patterned really tight, (compared to regular 00 buckshot), almost too tight IMO. It seems to me that in most HD ranges, (everyone's house size differs), standard 00 buckshot is fine. One of the standard 00 buck reduced recoil loads patterned a bit smaller than standard load buck in one of the shotguns used in the class. Federal standard 00 buck patterned the tightest compared to the plain box 'military' 00 buck which was about the same as the Suprema 00 buck. In my HD ranges, standard 00 buckshot, would produce a fist/hand size pattern at the longest range inside my house. I think I'd like a slightly larger pattern, better odds of getting a hit. Obviously, once my 'inside the house' ranges are exceeded, deciding how big a pattern is needed gets interesting. I could keep all pellets in a silhouette, (barely), out to 20 yards using Winchester/Walmart 00 buckshot. I could keep 'em all inside the head using Federal Flite Control. 15 pellets using the #1 seems like a good choice, sure looked good on the targets. I could keep all the pellets in a silhouette out to 25 yards easy with the Flite Control stuff, (both #1 and 00).

 

[bubba in ca]

I found the same results and I keep name brand buck for indoors and have a small supply of flight control if I ever go camping again. Flight control is great stuff, but up close it is a waste of money.
People who think they can buy their way to safety will disagree, but in a room distance situation spread pattern is the least of anyone's worries.
This might be different for a professional who might do hostage rescue or some other delicate task, but I hope for the hostages sake they have something better than a shotgun to use.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I worry about a pellet missing the target and going out of the house. As such I use the flight control for a tighter grouping. I'd prefer to use slugs (one projectile to worry about) but I think it has even a greater probability of over penetration. Yes, a tight grouping of buck shot is more slug like but I think it still has a little less chance for over penetration.

 

[JamieC]

I'm starting to look into #4 buckshot as a good HD load if over-penetration is a concern. My kids have all move out, just the wife and I, so it's not high on the list. However, if I start to consider neighbors, the closest is about 50 yards away....another excuse to buy more ammo! I will probably keep 00 buck in the gun at home, maybe switch to low recoil though.

 

[Darkstar888]

At home defense ranges I want my spread to open up more than the flight control allows. I specifically won't but the flight control buck for just that reason. Would make sense for law enforcement though where the range might be farther.

 

[JamieC]

Yeah, pretty much decided on standard 00 or #1 buck for HD, low recoil starting to sound better, (especially after a full day running the 12 gauge!)

 

[Kendal Black]

The standard type of buckshot load is my default, with a supply of the tight-patterning FliteControl or Hornady VersaTite kept on hand. The advantage the shotgun confers is the spread of the shot, which leads to higher hit probability than any other personal weapon--within its range limitations.
http://shootery.blogspot.com/2013/03/riot-gun.html

Since that is the advantage 'the gauge' gives you, it is not a good policy to limit your advantage too much, absent some good reason to do so. If need be, you can tighten the pattern with the new-style shells. I have no argument with that plan, but it is not advantageous in all circumstances.

What the military buys, for the most part, are rather open-patterning buckshot shells of the old style. I think that happens because there is almost always a comrade handy who has a rifle, should something else be needed.

 

[PabloJ]

The standard type of buckshot load is my default, with a supply of the tight-patterning FliteControl or Hornady VersaTite kept on hand. The advantage the shotgun confers is the spread of the shot, which leads to higher hit probability than any other personal weapon--within its range limitations.
http://shootery.blogspot.com/2013/03/riot-gun.html

Since that is the advantage 'the gauge' gives you, it is not a good policy to limit your advantage too much, absent some good reason to do so. If need be, you can tighten the pattern with the new-style shells. I have no argument with that plan, but it is not advantageous in all circumstances.

What the military buys, for the most part, are rather open-patterning buckshot shells of the old style. I think that happens because there is almost always a comrade handy who has a rifle, should something else be needed.

As I said previously for close range work low velocity, low recoil Foster type slug is better than typical buckshot loads. Perhaps trying shallow rifled choke tube would help like they do in Europe in one barrel of O/U for close range shots at birds.

 

[JamieC]

I was out at the range, sighting in my ghost ring sights, took the opportunity to pattern some recently acquired #1 buck. Winchester standard #1 patterned a bit less than 10", (majority of pellets, 8", two 9-10"), Federal #1buck, low recoil, Flite Control, 3". Both shot at 12 yards, about the longest distance inside my home. I might look into some standard #1, low recoil, compare all three...then I guess I could try different manufacturers, more range time!

 

[Kendal Black]

... Winchester standard #1 patterned a bit less than 10", (majority of pellets, 8", two 9-10"), Federal #1buck, low recoil, Flite Control, 3". Both shot at 12 yards, about the longest distance inside my home. I might look into some standard #1, low recoil, compare all three...then I guess I could try different manufacturers, more range time!

Your results parallel mine. My thinking is that it is easier to hit a target with a soccer ball than with a handball. At the very close distances often involved in personal defense, FliteConrol is actually counterproductive, though I intend always to have a supply of the stuff, or the equivalent Hornady product, on hand for exceptional circumstances.

I find it surprising that the shell manufacturers are not offering spreader loads of buckshot. Pablo's idea of using a spreader choke is something I should investigate.

...Helical rifled Diffusion spreader tubes provide a pattern that is more open than cylinder.

It is not recommended to shoot Federal's Black Cloud or any of their ammunition that utilizes their Flight Control Wad in ported chokes due to interference with its performance.

 

[strambo]

I use standard Remington #1 buck and get about the same spread as you did with the Winchester. At HD distance, I don't see it as a problem, may be a potential advantage as it will damage multiple organs at the same time as opposed to shredding one. Multiple .30 cal pellets ea. going through the heart and each lung...

I have Hornady LR TAP 00 on the sidesaddle if I need to reach out (~7" at 25yds).

 

[amd6547]

I agree that standard buckshot is fine for HD.
However, my Mossberg 500 is loaded with Federal #1 low recoil.
I use it because it is lower recoil, and because it just seems like very well made ammo

 

[magnatecman]

+1 on the Federal LE132 1B load, I tried it in my SA459, 18 1/2" barrel with an Imp. Modified choke, it will put all 15 pellets into a 12" circle at 30 yards. 40 yards puts about 12 in the same circle. This is my new coyote buster. The flight control wad does not like the ported factory tube so I went with the Carlsons instead and that made a huge difference.

 

[magnatecman]

I put this to use the other day on a coyote, but it was a good thing I had my rifle for backup. The dog surprised me early into my calling sequence and ran right up to the foxpro before I was quite ready for him. He bailed straight away from me when he got there and I was still leading his left to right approach and fired just as he made his turn, causing me to miss. That was at about 35 yards, by the second shot he was cruising at about 65 yards way and it rolled him up, but he was up and running without missing a beat. I fired two more shots and got no response, so I quickly pulled up the .204 and let him have a blitz up the rear at about 160 yards. Turned out to be a pretty good sized male with some scaring on his nose.