Shotguns … I do love them and I’m always on the lookout to find new ammo. The versatility of shotgun ammo is one of the best things about this platform. You can swap between buckshot, slugs, and bird, as well as specialty ammo that’s both effective and fun. I always like to experiment with different types to serve different purposes.
Today we are looking at Federal Tactical 12 gauge, with their flight control wad.
This particular ammo is designed to have a tight pattern. The purpose for tight patterning buckshot, at least for me, is to get a round that can reach out and touch a target beyond normal buckshot range. In certain roles I want the effectiveness of buckshot without the risks of slugs.
Slugs tend to penetrate quite a bit, and sometimes I want lower penetration along with the spread buckshot offers. Will the Federal Tactical 12 gauge with Flightcontrol be that round? Let’s find out —
The Federal Tactical 12 Gauge Specs
There are several Federal Tactical 12 gauge rounds, but this particular load is the affordable and easy to find 00 buckshot. I understand they also produce a Number 1 buck that I’d love to try. The 00 Buckshot is 2 ¾ inches, and packs nine pellets and has a velocity of 1145 feet per second. In bulk I can purchase the ammo for a little over 50 cents a round, so for shotgun ammo, it is affordable.
The idea behind this ammo is simple: Increase the effective range of buckshot without the need for chokes. Most police and tactical shotguns come with a cylinder bore choke and barrels from 14 to 20 inches in length.
This is an affordable alternative for Law enforcement, especially if slugs are not permitted for duty use. The Federal Tactical 12 gauge line is widely available and from a trusted ammunition company.
Patterning
To keep things simple I used a Cobra Tac 2 with an 18.5-inch barrel and a cylinder bore choke. I moved from 10 to 15 to 20, and finally 25 yards with the ammo to see how it patterned. I can tell you about it, but I’d rather show you.
At 10 Yards
What a Punch to the Mouth.
At 15 Yards
Still a nice, tight and devastating pattern.
At 20 Yards.
We are starting to open up a bit, and the wad did a lot of damage to the target, but the pellets landed.
At 25 Yards
We are finally starting to see the ammo open up, but the pattern is still impressive.
Check this page out to learn how to make shotgun pattern improvements.
At 50 Yards!
So I didn’t pattern the Federal Tactical 12 gauge at 50 yards. Instead, I used a steel target and shot a little video. 2 out of 3 rounds struck the tiny steel popper at 50 yards.
Are you Not Impressed?
I am very impressed by the Federal Tactical 12 gauge. It certainly fulfills my requirement for a mid-range round for my shotgun. Outside of patterning well, they are also very pleasant to shoot. The reduced recoil design makes them very easy to use and handle.
When it comes to rapid fire, the rounds make the shotgun very easy and downright pleasant to shoot. The muzzle rise is insignificant as well, and even after firing dozens of shots it was still comfortable. I remained unbruised and unbeaten.
The Federal Tactical 12 gauge with Flitecontrol wad is an impressive 12 gauge load and delivers what it promises. I have confidence that I could hit a man sized target out to 50 yards with at least a few pellets.
Find out the best home defense shotguns by reading our guide.
