870 youth just not getting the expected numbers. Updated

[Spurs Up]

Well curiosity got me.  I called Federal and they said my numbers are great.  Of course they never heard of bad lot numbers etc.  So I cut one open.  1.5oz of shot and 330 pellets.  Exactly what they said it should be.  So now William is going to let me try another choke and I will try and find another lot #.  Dont want to order and get 5V again.  Just wanna get through this season.  Unless a miracle happens I surely will have TSS in my shell loops next season. 

Thanks to William for all his help.

Sounds like you're on the right path.  I find it hard to believe that Federal's QA/QC is as suspect as some would suggest. I too have a stash of 5v and 5u lots.  Patterned great outta my gun and hammered a limit of gobblers no-doubt dead.  If they make them any better than I've observed, they should be illegal.

[owlhoot]

5P lots is one you may want.  Average  160's which is 40 pellets more in the 10 " out of my boys 21" 870  with a Truloc choke. The non-HW special  one, Than the 5v lots . 5v do 115-130 out of my weatherby sa08 with the hevi-choke also.  Which with a bead is tight enough for these eyes!

[chatterbox]

I have all different lot #s, and don't really notice much of a difference.
Sometimes I shoot 150ish, sometimes 130-140, but all lots hammer gobblers hard!

[nyhunter]

here's what i got with these shells lot# 5V37VK315.
Tru Lock HW #7 choke, 119,164,129
sum toy 562-5  choke,  120, 157, 167 
I'm shooting an 870 with a 21" barrel

I cleaned the barrel between every shot with Denatured alcohol, and a bronze brush then dried it with clean patches. 

one thing i noticed right off was each box had at least one shell that rattled with loose BB's really bad. all 3 low numbers were shells that rattled bad, on top of that not 1 of those 3 shots hit in the same stop.

All 3 high numbers were shells that rattled very little," no different than last years shells" and all 3 of them hit right dead on from where i had the gun sighted in last year. even both chokes hit the bull's eye dead on.
All together i had 8 shells that rattled like a baby rattle.

[shedhunta]

here's what i got with these shells lot# 5V37VK315.
Tru Lock HW #7 choke, 119,164,129
sum toy 562-5  choke,  120, 157, 167 
I'm shooting an 870 with a 21" barrel

I cleaned the barrel between every shot with Denatured alcohol, and a bronze brush then dried it with clean patches. 

one thing i noticed right off was each box had at least one shell that rattled with loose BB's really bad. all 3 low numbers were shells that rattled bad, on top of that not 1 of those 3 shots hit in the same stop.

All 3 high numbers were shells that rattled very little," no different than last years shells" and all 3 of them hit right dead on from where i had the gun sighted in last year. even both chokes hit the bull's eye dead on.
All together i had 8 shells that rattled like a baby rattle.

Thanks for reply.  I cut one that was rattling bad.  It had 330 pellets and 1.48 ounces of shot.  Pretty much dead on.  I have never loaded shotshells but could they possibly be light on powder or buffer material in the shot?   Who knows.  All I know is I do not like the inconsistency. 

[Longshanks]

 Never seen a drop in numbers with the Fed 7's. My 870 actually shoots increased numbers slightly on the 2,3,4th shot as the barrel gets a little dirty. Have had several turkey guns that shoot better after the first shot. I have also experienced new chokes shooting better over time. Had some terrible results with a Ventilator .655/ 870sm and took it out and shot a few boxes of cheap shells through it and then shot some of my best lead pattern ever with turkey loads.