Vintage ACTIV 3 inch 2 1/4 oz. #5 "PENETRATOR" Turkey Loads

[WildTigerTrout]

I found two 10 round boxes of these ACTIV turkey shot shells at a gun show yesterday.  I remember them but never used or bought any back in the day.  I  know they had the heaviest pay load you could stuff into a 3 inch 12 ga. shell. No granulated buffer but the shot was nickel plated.  Thought I would try them and see how they pattern.  If they are decent I may even hunt with them.  Anybody here ever use these?  How about some real life hunting experiences with them?  Your input would be appreciated.  Thanks WTT

[surehuntsalot]

Used the #5's for a few years and my Mossberg loved them.
I still have 1 box of them.

[Greg Massey]

I still have part of a box of these left from years ago. They shot well ... Now what i have left will stay in my shell collection ....

[10gaugemag]

We tried those in the early 90s. They couldn't compare to Premiums, XX so we never pursued them any more. Dad may still have most of a box.

[Tom007]

I have one box left. These shells shot fantastic out of my SBE 1. Kicks Gobbling Thunder-tube, awesome pattern. Stopped quite a few birds with them.

[Gman]

I currently have 2 of these shells in #6 shot left. Planning on using 1 of them to kill a mountain Tom this year. The last 2 gobblers that I shot, these Active shells were used in my 870 SM with the factory Remington Super Full turkey tube (.665) They patterned excellent.

[Bottomland OG]

I also shot these all through the 90's. I shot #6's in a 870 with a super full turkey and it loved them. I still remember the last turkey I killed with one.