Older stored sgn ammunition patterning changing?

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rodregier

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An acquaintance reported that he was getting poorer patterns from 15+ year old Federal Tactical buckshot (factory loading) than when it was new.

He sectioned one of the unfired stored shotshells and didn't see anything obvious. Pellet plating looked fine, no obvious deformation to the wad, buffer still loose (unclumped), powder normal appearance and unclumped too.

Anyone have a logical explanation for this phenomena?
 
Are you sure he remembers his patterns from 15 years ago as well as he thinks?

I would think the most likely culprit is the powder. Some slight chemical changes might not change the appearance enough to be noticed.
 
Is he shooting the same shotgun as 15 years ago, and if so is he shooting the same barrel?

If he is shooting this ammo in a different shotgun or barrel, then the patterns could change. For example, if he has a Remington 870 the current barrels have a longer forcing cone that the older barrels, and the patterns will be different.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr
 
I have no idea. I suppose the plastic wad could have somehow become brittle and isn't opening up like it did when it was new. Or maybe the plastic is weakened and is opening too fast.
 
My original source queried Federal about it. Federal has discontinued that design and is now producing a version using their FlightControl wads. He was quoted a disheartening lead time to get said new version... Something about demand and production backlogs.
 
demand and production backlogs

Ya don't say...

Has he looked at any store shelves where ammo used to be lately?
 
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