Federal Blended

[obro]

What happened to the blended load from Federal ? They had some teaser ads and I haven't seen anything since .

[allaboutshooting]

What happened to the blended load from Federal ? They had some teaser ads and I haven't seen anything since .

I spoke with the folks at Federal and they have nothing planned for any blended turkey load in the foreseeable future. I did not ask them (sensitive issue) about continuation of the Heavyweight shot shells.

Thanks,
Clark

[coyotetrpr]

I must be missing something. Why are the heavyweights a sensitive issue? And what blend had been heard of?

[allaboutshooting]

I must be missing something. Why are the heavyweights a sensitive issue? And what blend had been heard of?

There was a post by someone and I really don't remember who or where it appeared, that Federal was going to introduce a blended load similar to the Hevi-13 Magnum Blend shell. I contacted them to determine if that was true and was told that it was not.

Many companies are "sensitive" about disclosing their plans about existing shotshells or any other products for that matter, and for good reason. A decision may not have been made or it may have been made internally but not for public consumption. The unheard of increases in the price of tungsten have caused a real inward look at the marketability of that type of shot in their shells. The decision by Winchester to discontinue XRHD is an excellent example.

Thanks,
Clark

[gatrkyhntr70]

I must be missing something. Why are the heavyweights a sensitive issue? And what blend had been heard of?

There was a post by someone and I really don't remember who or where it appeared, that Federal was going to introduce a blended load similar to the Hevi-13 Magnum Blend shell. I contacted them to determine if that was true and was told that it was not.

Many companies are "sensitive" about disclosing their plans about existing shotshells or any other products for that matter, and for good reason. A decision may not have been made or it may have been made internally but not for public consumption. The unheard of increases in the price of tungsten have caused a real inward look at the marketability of that type of shot in their shells. The decision by Winchester to discontinue XRHD is an excellent example.

Thanks,
Clark

Hello Clark,
There were numerous members here on og that reported from nashville that the reps for Winchester said they were not discontinuing the xtended range, that they were a little slow getting it out.
They also still have it listed on their website showing a new box. Their alot of confusing info on this one..
http://www.winchester.com/Products/shotshell-ammunition/Innovative/Xtended-Range-Hi-Density/Pages/STXS1236.aspx

[allaboutshooting]

I must be missing something. Why are the heavyweights a sensitive issue? And what blend had been heard of?

There was a post by someone and I really don't remember who or where it appeared, that Federal was going to introduce a blended load similar to the Hevi-13 Magnum Blend shell. I contacted them to determine if that was true and was told that it was not.

Many companies are "sensitive" about disclosing their plans about existing shotshells or any other products for that matter, and for good reason. A decision may not have been made or it may have been made internally but not for public consumption. The unheard of increases in the price of tungsten have caused a real inward look at the marketability of that type of shot in their shells. The decision by Winchester to discontinue XRHD is an excellent example.

Thanks,
Clark

Hello Clark,
There were numerous members here on og that reported from nashville that the reps for Winchester said they were not discontinuing the xtended range, that they were a little slow getting it out.
They also still have it listed on their website showing a new box. Their alot of confusing info on this one..
http://www.winchester.com/Products/shotshell-ammunition/Innovative/Xtended-Range-Hi-Density/Pages/STXS1236.aspx

I spoke with the Marketing Director for Winchester Shotshells to get my information. They have been reluctant to release that information to the public. I asked for permission to release it and he agreed to that. They did not want to harm retailers who may still have those shells on their shelves. That's why I went to the source at Olin/Winchester to help get to the truth of the matter.

You might also note that in the 2012 Catalog (last year) Winchester listed a 20 gauge #6 shot WXRHD shell. It was never produced due to the price of tungsten shot. Olin had an overnight price increase from $12.00 lb. to $24.00 lb. in early February of 2012, just before the Convention. That stopped any production of that shell before it started.

Raw bar tungsten prices were $99.00 per pound at one time last year. I have not checked lately, so I don't know what they are currently.

Companies are reluctant to stop production of "premium" products even when they account for a small portion of their sales. It keeps them in the market. At times however, when production costs are exceptionally high and sales are quite low, it no longer makes sense.

We're only an hour from Alton, IL where those shells are made. I've known the design engineer for that shell, who also designed the HV "Black" shell, for 20 or more years. They are all sad to see it go but understand the reality of the marketplace.

Thanks,
Clark

[3" 870 Shell Shucker]

Wow.  Thanks Clark.  XRHD is/was a good product.  Either way, I won't criticize Winchester.  They have to make money.

[allaboutshooting]

Wow.  Thanks Clark.  XRHD is/was a good product.  Either way, I won't criticize Winchester.  They have to make money.

You're welcome. Strictly a business decision on their part and not an easy one to make for them.

Thanks,
Clark

[gatrkyhntr70]

I must be missing something. Why are the heavyweights a sensitive issue? And what blend had been heard of?

There was a post by someone and I really don't remember who or where it appeared, that Federal was going to introduce a blended load similar to the Hevi-13 Magnum Blend shell. I contacted them to determine if that was true and was told that it was not.

Many companies are "sensitive" about disclosing their plans about existing shotshells or any other products for that matter, and for good reason. A decision may not have been made or it may have been made internally but not for public consumption. The unheard of increases in the price of tungsten have caused a real inward look at the marketability of that type of shot in their shells. The decision by Winchester to discontinue XRHD is an excellent example.

Thanks,
Clark

Thanks for clearing that up a bit Clark. I hate to see them pull out of it but cant blame them at all.
Hello Clark,
There were numerous members here on og that reported from nashville that the reps for Winchester said they were not discontinuing the xtended range, that they were a little slow getting it out.
They also still have it listed on their website showing a new box. Their alot of confusing info on this one..
http://www.winchester.com/Products/shotshell-ammunition/Innovative/Xtended-Range-Hi-Density/Pages/STXS1236.aspx

I spoke with the Marketing Director for Winchester Shotshells to get my information. They have been reluctant to release that information to the public. I asked for permission to release it and he agreed to that. They did not want to harm retailers who may still have those shells on their shelves. That's why I went to the source at Olin/Winchester to help get to the truth of the matter.

You might also note that in the 2012 Catalog (last year) Winchester listed a 20 gauge #6 shot WXRHD shell. It was never produced due to the price of tungsten shot. Olin had an overnight price increase from $12.00 lb. to $24.00 lb. in early February of 2012, just before the Convention. That stopped any production of that shell before it started.

Raw bar tungsten prices were $99.00 per pound at one time last year. I have not checked lately, so I don't know what they are currently.

Companies are reluctant to stop production of "premium" products even when they account for a small portion of their sales. It keeps them in the market. At times however, when production costs are exceptionally high and sales are quite low, it no longer makes sense.

We're only an hour from Alton, IL where those shells are made. I've known the design engineer for that shell, who also designed the HV "Black" shell, for 20 or more years. They are all sad to see it go but understand the reality of the marketplace.

Thanks,
Clark