Fed 3rd Degree

[decoykrvr]

Several questions: Has anybody shot them?  Does the Flitecontrol wad perform like in the HW loads?  What the hell is Flitestopper lead?  Is anyone at Federal listening to the comments and field reports of actual hunters?  Federal has the best shot (15 cc HeavyWeight) and the worst wad (flitecontrol) on the market and has excelled in producing, at least in 12 gauge, turkey loads which have proven to be an anathema for most gun/choke combinations.  The Flitecontrol shells were designed and marketed as an every gun/every man load, but their performance at the range and in the field has been just the opposite, and, in most cases to maximize performance, has necessitated  the use of custom/specialized chokes for the Flitecontrol wad.  In over 45 years of shotgunning, patterning, and shotshell evaluation, I have never dealt with a more finicky and frustrating shotshell as the Federal shells which utilize the Flitecontrol wad.  If the "new" 3rd Degree loads share the same eccentricities exhibited by the other 12 gauge offerings which utilize the Flitecontrol wad, I'll proffer the following, "Fool me once, shame on Federal.  Fool me twice, shame on me!"

[jason5.9]

I shot them...  Not impressed. As you stated in your comments, the flight control wad performs terribly.  The flight stopper lead is a #7 with a sort of ring around the center.  It is supposed to open up quickly for close in shots.  I zeroed mine at 15 yds with low brass #8 which perform equally as god as the 3rd degree shells.

Federal turkey ammo (with flight control) is a terrible product but exceptionally marketed.  Just go with mag blend about the same price as 3rd degree or long beard #5's

[msgobblergetter]

I shot them...  Not impressed. As you stated in your comments, the flight control wad performs terribly.  The flight stopper lead is a #7 with a sort of ring around the center.  It is supposed to open up quickly for close in shots.  I zeroed mine at 15 yds with low brass #8 which perform equally as god as the 3rd degree shells.

Federal turkey ammo (with flight control) is a terrible product but exceptionally marketed.  Just go with mag blend about the same price as 3rd degree or long beard #5's

The #7's are HW, the 6's are Flight stopper, and 5's are copper plated. ..Two major flaws with this shell... The 7's should have been loaded on top, then 5's, then 6's...not the other way around like they are loaded... Second flaw is the fcw.

Agree, mag blends are a much better triplex load.

[surehuntsalot]

I like the FC wad myself
I have a 3" magnum 1100 with a 30" fixed full choke that will shoot like^%$# with these
I have a couple of more open chokes for my 835 (.710) and my 20ga 870 (.582) that will shoot real good with these shells
I have no problems with these shells

[Lucky Clucker]

Same here, the heavy weight 7 in fcw, shoot great out of a full choke,most guys are choking them too tight, but the 3rd degree is loaded wrong, why not load them with all heavy weight shot, like a mag blend, can you imagine the killing power of 5.6.and 7,15 g. shot.

[BandedSpur]

Same here, the heavy weight 7 in fcw, shoot great out of a full choke,most guys are choking them too tight, but the 3rd degree is loaded wrong, why not load them with all heavy weight shot, like a mag blend, can you imagine the killing power of 5.6.and 7,15 g. shot.

Actually adding 5 and 6s in HW would make a less effective shell than straight HW 7s. HW 7s have way more than ample energy at ridiculous ranges. Adding 5s and 6s would just decrease pattern density. What Fed really needs to do is load a straight HW 8 shell.

Anyway, a good long range shell was not Fed's intention with "Third Degree". Fed HW, when choked for max range, is not very forgiving at close range. I believe Fed has succeeded in creating a shell that will kill well at 40 and have a more forgiving pattern at close range. Unfortunately, there are not enough HW pellets in the load to pattern well beyond 40. And there are lots and lots of much cheaper alternatives that will kill reliably to 40.

[mightyjoeyoung]

I shot them...  Not impressed. As you stated in your comments, the flight control wad performs terribly.  The flight stopper lead is a #7 with a sort of ring around the center.  It is supposed to open up quickly for close in shots.  I zeroed mine at 15 yds with low brass #8 which perform equally as god as the 3rd degree shells.

Federal turkey ammo (with flight control) is a terrible product but exceptionally marketed.  Just go with mag blend about the same price as 3rd degree or long beard #5's

The #7's are HW, the 6's are Flight stopper, and 5's are copper plated. ..Two major flaws with this shell... The 7's should have been loaded on top, then 5's, then 6's...not the other way around like they are loaded... Second flaw is the fcw.

Agree, mag blends are a much better triplex load.

The 7s are loaded to the rear of the payload because they're smaller and heavier.   Less air resistance means they'll stay with the rest of the pattern and not leave the larger less aerodynamic pb pellets behind.  Second, in the right choke, mthe fc wad works just fine.

[turkeywhisperer935]

Got a buddy that shoots them in a 935 with a redhead choke that loves them. Saw him pattern his gun yesterday and they shot a good even pattern. Patterned well to 45 yards but if you are into counting holes in paper from what I saw it ain't the shell for you. Good hunting load though definitely out performed envirometals new triple beards in my 935 with a jellyhead.

[darron]

Same here, the heavy weight 7 in fcw, shoot great out of a full choke,most guys are choking them too tight, but the 3rd degree is loaded wrong, why not load them with all heavy weight shot, like a mag blend, can you imagine the killing power of 5.6.and 7,15 g. shot.

Actually adding 5 and 6s in HW would make a less effective shell than straight HW 7s. HW 7s have way more than ample energy at ridiculous ranges. Adding 5s and 6s would just decrease pattern density. What Fed really needs to do is load a straight HW 8 shell.

Anyway, a good long range shell was not Fed's intention with "Third Degree". Fed HW, when choked for max range, is not very forgiving at close range. I believe Fed has succeeded in creating a shell that will kill well at 40 and have a more forgiving pattern at close range. Unfortunately, there are not enough HW pellets in the load to pattern well beyond 40. And there are lots and lots of much cheaper alternatives that will kill reliably to 40.

Now that's an idea a #8 in heavy weights. If a #7 hits like a #4 lead or better then a #8 would hit like a #5 lead. Now that would be epic.

[Izzyjoe]

I've finally found them locally cause I wanted to try them myself, but the price seemed kinda high to me. 16 for 5rds, when sitting on the shelf next to them was WLB #6's, $19 for 10,and I know they work, so I passed on the 3rds for now. I may still get a box and see how they pattern, but I'm very happy with the Lb's. Kinda goes back to the old saying "lf it ain't broke".