Federal Flite Control enhanced 12 gauge #1 buckshot loads (2.75" and 3")

Ever wonder what 12 bore Flite Control performance with .30" pellets would look like? Yes, I know the only Flite Control #1 buckshot rounds use(d) the smallest pellet that can be labeled #1B. Yeah, those .285"-.286" diameter 33 grain pellets. But just what would a load using actual .30" buckshot pellets be like? You know - the actual listed diameter for #1B.

Let's see, after removing the wads from both 2.75" and 3" Flite Control buckshot loads, I decided to fill the respective shotcups with .30" pellets. The 2.75" Flite Control wad held 12 pellets in a 2 pellet per layer stack. The 3" version held 16 pellets also in 2 pellet layers. Both pellet stacks were just below the top of the respective wads. Quickly pouring the payload into these wads resulted in near perfect self stacking, an important factor in machine loading.

So what is the big deal? Depending on the lead alloy used, the 12 pellet load would weigh 1.125 ounces and the 16 pellet 3 inch version would check in at 1.5 ounces.

So the advantage boils down to a better balance of pellet diameter, pellet count, penetration and pattern core saturation.

What say you?

Do you think the addition of actual 30 caliber #1B in Federal Premium's 12 Gauge Flite Control line is a good idea?

Why or why not?

amd6547 said:

Well, my Mossberg is loaded with some of my remaining stock of the discontinued, low recoil LE #1 flight control load.
I’m pretty happy with the performance of that load.

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The 15 pellet Low Recoil LE #1B Flite Control was the round in which the pellets measured .285" and weighed 33 grains.

Many of the reponses here suggest that other #1B shotshells will actually contain .300" pellets. That is certainly not the case - at least since Winchester's introduction of the Mark 5 buckshot load in 1963. The addition of a plastic collar and "Grex" buffer was a revolutionary pattern performance move. However, the continued use of traditional pellet stacking led to a necessary reduction in pellet diameter. Yes, that includes 00B & #1B,

Riomouse911 said:

I have standard Federal 2 3/4” #1 buck in my HD 870. I haven't seen Flite Control #1 buck on shelves in many years, and since my probable distances for use are not extended the superbly tight patterns FC wads are known for aren’t super vital.

Obviously if they went into production with loads like the ones you assembled @RMc , I’m in for 50 of those shells.

Stay safe.

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To clarify: I did not assemble/reassemble any loaded shells with .300" inch pellets in lieu of the 2.75" and 3" factory loads from which I removed the Flite-Control wads. The 12 and 16 pellet loads with actual nominal #1B, ie .300" diameter lead alloy pellets , under discussion, represent a significantly heavier payload weight than any current factory loaded Flite-Control buckshot loads.

For example: A current 16 pellet #1B factory load has a lead payload weight of approximately 1.2 ounces. Using 16 pellets of actual nominal #1B would, in contrast, weigh right at 1.5 ounces. This is a significant difference in payload weight.