And the light came on!

[Gooserbat]

Okay this was my first year hunting with HTL and to say the least, I'm impressed.  So a few nights ago I was sitting in my recliner after supper, and as I reflected on this past season it hit me about how the Fed HW 7 I used just flattened every bird I shot.  I know it is harder, heaver, and in every way better than the lead #6 I've used for years, but I couldn't wrap my mind around it until I compared it to a golf ball vs a tennis ball.  The tennis ball weighs 2 oz, and is 2.63" in diameter.  The Golf ball is 1.62 oz, and 1.68" round but the difference is the hardness of the ball.  The way I grasp it is would you rather be hit with a smaller, harder, thus denser golf ball at 50 mph or a larger, softer, less dens tennis ball at 50 mph?   

[mikejd]

I say do a test. Have a friend throw a golf ball at ya and then a tennis ball
film it for our enjoyment and then we will know for sure.

[trkehunr93]

I say do a test. Have a friend throw a golf ball at ya and then a tennis ball
film it for our enjoyment and then we will know for sure.

  This will def. get some input. 

[Gooserbat]

Where is Jblackburn when I need him? 

[Skeeterbait]

That is certainly part of it, it is harder and isn't going to deform on impact.  But it's performance goes much deeper than that.  The idea really isn't to throw heavier shot at them, it is to throw smaller shot that retains its energy as well, thus increasing the number of shot per ounce and striking the bird with more pellets creating more wound channels.  Smaller shot also gets the boost in performance compared to its equally heavy but larger lead shot because the smaller shot flies thru the air with less resistance, arrives faster, penetrates better because it is harder and because the small pellet has less resistance in tissue.  It patterns tighter because it is heavier and resists air deflection and because it is harder and resists deformation in the barrel.  This too contributes to more shot on target and more wound channels.

Fact is HTL is superior in all ways except price.  However as we all know it isn't mandatory.  Lead works adequately well in most situations.  HTL just gives more margin of certainty.  That can be comforting when the trigger is pulled.  Others find it comforting that a $5 bill isn't burned every time the trigger is pulled.  Neither choice is wrong, it is what is right for the individual.

[Fullfan]

I have been shooting the fed heviweights for years. I started about 10 years ago with the #6 shot. I just could never get a high number of hits on the patterning board. Then when the #7's come out I was getting a good even 150 ish with the rem factory full. I killed many birds with that combo. I am now getting 180ish w my 3" guns now.

I spend more time killing paper than most ever will. When I shoot the 6 and 7 heviweights it blows through the 3/8 chip board, where the others like #7 hevi shot will be stuck in the board.

No doubt the heviweight shot hits with authority....

[RAY]

That's good to know that it is blowing through the board. I am not a fan of smaller shot sizes. I have always used 4, 5 or 6's. Prefering #5's

[Swampchickin234]

Okay this was my first year hunting with HTL and to say the least, I'm impressed.  So a few nights ago I was sitting in my recliner after supper, and as I reflected on this past season it hit me about how the Fed HW 7 I used just flattened every bird I shot.  I know it is harder, heaver, and in every way better than the lead #6 I've used for years, but I couldn't wrap my mind around it until I compared it to a golf ball vs a tennis ball.  The tennis ball weighs 2 oz, and is 2.63" in diameter.  The Golf ball is 1.62 oz, and 1.68" round but the difference is the hardness of the ball.  The way I grasp it is would you rather be hit with a smaller, harder, thus denser golf ball at 50 mph or a larger, softer, less dens tennis ball at 50 mph?

very well said. I too am a 7 fanatic now. After playing with the fed 7s on paper, I believe I have converted my dad to fed hw 7s. However, I can only speak on a 20 ga.  I am however determined to get a couple of 12s rockin with this stuff.  But as I say that, I only want to shoot the 20 ga lol.  Anyways, all I'm saying is I am a definite hw7 convert, and after I've played with the 20 so much it makes me wanna switch from hevi 6s(wich will flatten birds) in the 12s to hw7. Very we'll said, it helps get the idea.  And please hire a buddy to demonstrate getting hit with a tennis ball and then a golf ball at 50 mph and get it on film. I believe I would pay to see that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bigspurs68]

When I first started using HTL loads it also surprised me how it floored birds. When I described the difference to my buddies, who were still on the fence about it. I told them that it was like a invisible hand reached up out of the ground, grabbed the birds by the neck and jerked them to the ground. HTL loads have come a long way over the years as have choke tubes but the metaphor above still covers it.
  As a added note..many more grey fox and coyotes would be garments right now if I had HTL 30 years ago!

[Longshanks]

 Beretta xtrema 330's in a 10 @ 40 Hevi 13 3.5/2.25/7's

Beretta 390 20 guage  170's in a 10 @ 40.  Fed HW 7's

*both are devastating on the turkey.
*killed allot of turkeys with the hevi 13 3/2/7's and 3/2/6's, same effectiveness.
*fun to shoot lead and try these new loads that come out but there is no doubt about HTL being the top dog in turkey loads.

[PALongspur]

The Federal 7s are the most devastating load I've ever chambered, they just absolutely flatten birds.

[owlhoot]

After this season , i sure believe in the Federal HW 7's, it definitely slams them in 12 and 20 gauge.
Patterns great , slams the pattern board and flips them toms right on over.
First round in the chamber all season.

*fun to shoot lead and try these new loads that come out but there is no doubt about HTL being the top dog in turkey loads.
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