I tried them through 5 different chokes in my 3" 870 with 28" Barrel, at 73 Degrees, standing, shooting off-hand, 40 Yards from Muzzle to Target. I started with the Tightest Choke, ran a Brush, next choke, etc. until I tried the most Open choke last.
Kick's GT .650 - 251 in 20" at 40 Yards
Ventilator .655
Indian Creek .665 - 140 in 10" + 158 = 298 in 20" at 40 Yards
Indian Creek .675
Primo's Dead Deer .690 - 288 in 20" at 40 Yards
The choke used didn't even seem to matter!!! All 5 chokes shot great looking, even hunting patterns at 40 Yards. 4 of the 5 wads traveled no more than 15 to 20 Yards. The last wad, through the .690 choke, traveled about 30 Yards.
These are easily the best shooting Lead shells I've ever shot. They aren't even Copper or Nickel Plated. It makes you wonder if plated shot really matters after all?
Man that's good to hear but I can't seem to find any Federal Shells here that are labeled as Turkey Thugs. Anyone have a picture of the box that they come in or any other info on them. I do not see them listed on Federals website either. I would like to get a few boxes to try in my guns.
You can only get them at Walmart. Hope this helps. They are pretty nice!
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The Indian Creek .665 gave the most dense pattern (Pretty much always does in my 870 or BPS).
140 in 10" at 40 Yards. That's my best ever #6 Lead Pattern at 40 Yards.
This was in my 870, and my BPS will normally beat it every time, so I'm very happy at this point.
Who needs HTL now? I'd post a lot number, but it seems like everybody is getting good patterns with these shells in #5's and #6's.
TRY THESE SHELLS.
Has anybody shot the #6's in 20 ga?
I'm still waiting for my local Wal-mart to get the #6's in, all they have so far is #5's.
Quote from: nogoodreezen on March 09, 2013, 07:24:33 PM
You can only get them at Walmart. Hope this helps. They are pretty nice!
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Thanks. Since our Walmart has the absolute worse sporting goods dept that I have ever been to I will have to travel to find them. They carry very little ammo, no guns and nothing useful as far as hunting or fishing!
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I would love to find some 20 gauge 6's. Not sure they make them.
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At my Wal-mart there is a sticker on the shelf for 4's,5's,and 6's. All they had in though is 5's, this is in 12 and 20 ga. I spoke with the departement manager and he said that they were comming, but weren't in yet.
Quote from: 3" 870 Shell Shucker on March 09, 2013, 07:27:32 PM
The Indian Creek .665 gave the most dense pattern (Pretty much always does in my 870 or BPS).
140 in 10" at 40 Yards. That's my best ever #6 Lead Pattern at 40 Yards.
This was in my 870, and my BPS will normally beat it every time, so I'm very happy at this point.
Who needs HTL now? I'd post a lot number, but it seems like everybody is getting good patterns with these shells in #5's and #6's.
TRY THESE SHELLS.
Glad to hear you're having luck with these too. At less than $10/box, who needs $15/box lead loads!
I finally counted the 20" ring on my best target.
Indian Creek .665 - 140 in 10" + 158 = 298 Total in 20" at 40 Yards
After seeing what the #5 Thug's did, I got a box of the #6's to try next. So far I'm really liking their performance on paper and have no doubt they will work just as well on ol' skinhead!
sure wish I could find some in 20ga #6
Quote from: surehuntsalot on March 10, 2013, 08:48:28 PM
sure wish I could find some in 20ga #6
I've been thinking the exact same thing! Haven't been able to find any yet.
.665 Choke
(http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m560/mallardmachete007/3inchnumber6ThugsampIC665Choke_zps654096e4.jpg)
.690 Choke
(http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m560/mallardmachete007/3inchnumber6ThugsampXFullChoke_zpsd8e0d262.jpg)
.650 Choke
(http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m560/mallardmachete007/3inchnumber6Thugsamp650Choke_zpsb71b45f6.jpg)
It almost seems like the choke being used doesn't matter much.
I am grabbing some of these tommorrow!
Shot the 3" #6 load today at 40 yards through my Vinci with a .660 Jellyhead and got 139 pellets in a 8.5" X 11" piece of paper. I think that will work...
I'm gonna have to try these.
Thanks for posting !
These are lead correct?
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I'm really excited about these shells,it's killing me i haven't been able to get out to shoot mine yet!I am also excited to try them thru the bps with the browning factory full strut .640.Haven't found any shell that patterned as good as my other chokes,maybe these are it!I've got the 5s and 6s to try out in the benelli and browning,can't wait!.....ward
Yes,they are lead...ward
Quote from: the Ward on March 18, 2013, 09:49:57 AM
Yes,they are lead...ward
Thought so...thanks!
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Bought a couple more boxes T. T. at Wal-Mart today 9.97 for the 3in. and 13.97 for the 3 1/2 in. 12 ga. #6's.
I read where one guy said he bought 10 boxes. I haven't seen very many to be honest.
Quote from: 3" 870 Shell Shucker on March 22, 2013, 07:03:37 AM
I read where one guy said he bought 10 boxes. I haven't seen very many to be honest.
I've been able to buy 10 total boxes of 3" 1-7/8 oz #6 at 3 different Walmart stores in South MS this week. Each store had very few, if any 3.5" shells though. However, if you're looking for 3" 1-7/8 oz. #5 I've seen plenty of those.
They were on the shelf in limited quantities to begin with. After I saw them in stock at 2 different Wal-Marts, I grabbed 3 boxes of 3" #6's to try, and I haven't seen any more in 12 gauge since. No 4, 5, or 6 in 3" or 3.5" at either of those 2 Wal-Marts. They sold out quickly. I'm lucky I got what I did. I smoked 5 of those shooting patterns. 25 Left.
I think in 20 gauge they only come in size 5 and they pretty much are awful. My buddy shot 2 rounds out of his Benelli Nova (24" barrel) yesterday using a Pure Gold .570 and averaged 40 hits in the 10" circle at 40 yards. That same gun with Nitro Ray size 7 provides 200 hits all day long.
12 Gauge:
5 Boxes of 3" #5's
2 Boxes of 3" #4's
In Stock at the Pearl, MS Wal-Mart, on 3-23-2013 at 6:30pm.
I tried the 3" 6s in my 870 sm w/ 23" bbl and a 660 rhino. I got 87 in 10" @ 40 yds. I really wish I could get around 130 in 10" so I could hunt w/em. I may try another choke next yr.
I got around to shooting mine this weekend. They were 3" 6s out of my 1300 and a ssx. Posted up a 142 in 10" at a lazered 40 so i am extremely happy with that. I guess i will be thuggin this spring.
I shot one out of the 835 with a dirty barrel earlier at 30yds about 40 degrees out, got 185 in the 10.
Don't over look the 3" #5 thugs, shot a 124 with my 26" invector + and a ssx choke. Beat that number with the win super x 3-1 7/8-5 though, got 131 in the 10 with that one. Cool thing is those silver box super x winnies are only $7.17 at my local wally world.
Wow, those are both great number. Buy more before they change the recipie. :icon_thumright:
Ok now yall got me tempted to buy some of these, regardless of the fact I got enough winchester lead and hevi 13 to last me 20 years :z-guntootsmiley:
Quote from: budtripp on March 26, 2013, 10:46:13 PM
Ok now yall got me tempted to buy some of these, regardless of the fact I got enough winchester lead and hevi 13 to last me 20 years :z-guntootsmiley:
Yup, I have enough Win XX and HV to last the rest of my life. Tempted to shoot some just to see how they compare to the Winchester shells. Sounds like a great shell if anyone is struggling getting some efficient Pb patterns. Federal must have been listening when folks were complaining about the FCW's.
Federal needs to Continue Making the Thug Shells.
Being lead 6's ,never really liked them, are they going fast enough to break bone and have enough power down range? I never killed but 1 with lead 6's and it was at 25 yards and a mistake, I thought I had 4's in, the bird flopped and crawled like it could have got away if I had not stomped his head,and it was busted with a pile of shot, got some and going to see how they do, I hope me and everyone else has good luck with them,I'm scared to death to cripple one .
Quote from: Lucky Clucker on April 03, 2013, 01:15:11 AM
Being lead 6's ,never really liked them, are they going fast enough to break bone and have enough power down range? I never killed but 1 with lead 6's and it was at 25 yards and a mistake, I thought I had 4's in, the bird flopped and crawled like it could have got away if I had not stomped his head,and it was busted with a pile of shot, got some and going to see how they do, I hope me and everyone else has good luck with them,I'm scared to death to cripple one .
If you put a swarm of 6's on his head and neck he will be there. I have killed turkeys with lead 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8 shot. I have also killed them with Hevi straight 6's and 4x5x7 Nitro's. The only thing I will never shoot another with is the #8 shot. I would prefer not to use 2's but in a bind I would.
I have always been fond of #5 Copperplated in lead and now prefer #6 in Hevi, but this year I have started hunting with #6 lead a lot. My Mossy 935 is averaging 145 - 150 with #6 lead at 40 and I have complete confidence in my combo at that distance with a small cushion.
I have all the confidence in the world if I do my part dead bird at 40 yards every shot with 6s
Quote from: EASY on April 03, 2013, 09:30:19 AM
I have all the confidence in the world if I do my part dead bird at 40 yards every shot with 6s
No doubt about it. The old Federal Premium 3-2-6 I started out hunting with would drop em like a bad habit! I killed a few with them at 40 yds or a little better that barely twitched, much less flopped!