Low recoil slugs - can somebody explain the difference?

[W.E.G.]

I'm confused about the Federal "Tactical" law enforcement slugs.
What makes one version of the same product number "low recoil" and presumably another version of the same product number not low-recoil?

I ordered a case of these:

(order hasn't arrived yet - so I DON'T KNOW what the ends of the 5-round box of the stuff I ordered says)

Product number in the pic says LE 127 RS
Nothing in the ad says anything about "low recoil"

12 Gauge - Federal LE127RS Hydra-Shok Slug 250 Rd. Case

Manufacturer - Federal Bullet - 1oz Hydra-Shok SlugCase - 2-3/4" Plastic HullUse - Hunting / Home DefenseQuantity - 250 Rounds Per Case[split]Federal LE Premium Tactical® 2.75" 12 Ga Hydra-Shok Rifled Slug Shotgun Ammo. This Federal LE shotgun ammo features their premium line of Hydra-Shok 1...

www.velocityammosales.com

Then, over at Lucky Gunner, they also have a product that looks virtually identical, and the packaging is also marked 127 LE RS.

But the end of the 5-round box is clearly printed "LOW RECOIL" and also says "MAXIMUM"
As if it makes any sense to be maximum AND low-recoil.

Bulk 12 ga LE Slugs For Sale - 2-3/4" 1 Ounce Rifled Slugs by Federal Law Enforcement Tactical - 250 Rounds

Bulk 12 ga 2-3/4" Tactical Rifled Slugs in Stock - 1 Ounce Slugs by Federal Law Enforcement For Sale Perfect For Self-Defense - 250 Rounds

www.luckygunner.com

So I'm kinda confused.

Are the slugs at Velocity and the slugs at Lucky Gunner the SAME THING?

If they are the same, why is one marked "low recoil" and the other isn't?

How can it be "MAXIMUM" and "LOW RECOIL" at the same time?

Is the moniker "TACTICAL" secret code word for low-recoil that's really not low-recoil?

 

[bearcreek]

The stuff you ordered has a higher muzzle velocity. 1610 fps instead of 1300. Here's a link with some pictures of the end of the box. https://www.ammunitiondepot.com/967-federal-premium-12-ga-2-3-4-1-oz-hydra-shok-rifled-slug.html

Edit: Scratch that. You ordered the Low Recoil stuff, as @mcb pointed out.

 

[L-2]

I agree Federal using "LE127RS" for both slug product models was a bad idea.
I'll need to double-check which ones I've bought as once the ammo is out of the box, it's dfficult/impossible for me to tell.
With the hulls the same color, I don't remember there being anything significant printed on each round and the ink on the hulls either wears off or is already hard to read. I think some of my hulls are a reddish-burgundy color making the ink even harder to read.
Perhaps I should just shoot up a few hundred rounds and start my ammo inventory over during this year.

 

[mcb]

The low recoil (1300 fps) is the [LE127 RF], the full power (1610 fps) version is the [LEF127 RF] (notice the extra F in the part number)

 

[W.E.G.]

Wow.
LEF127 RF
1600+ fps for a slug.

That's stompin'!

1300 FPS will be quite fast enough for my needs.

Thanks for the info guys.

Will be interesting to see what actually shows up.

I ran the "F" version through Google. Looks like its OOS everywhere, and including the vendor I ordered from.

12 Gauge - Federal LEF127RS Maximum Hydra-Shok Rifled Slug

Manufacturer - Federal Bullet - 438 Grain Hydra-Shok Hollow Point Rifled Slug Case - 2-3/4" Plastic Hull Use - Hunting / Home Defense Quantity - 5 Rounds Per Box [split] Federal LE Premium Tactical® 2.75" 12 Ga Maximum Hydra-Shok Rifled Slug Shotgun Ammo. This Federal LE shotgun ammo features...

www.velocityammosales.com

I'm thinking "F" is for THE WORD YOU SAY when you touch one of those 1600 fps slugs off.

Here's a vid of a guy shooting water jugs with THE "F"

Federal Hydra-Shok 12 Ga. Tactical Rifled Slug Test

Water Jug Expansion Test of the Federal Hydra-Shok 12 Ga. 2 3/4" Tactical Rifled Slug.

youtu.be

Interesting how the slug turned into a donut in the water jugs



And here's an interesting "non-scientific" vid of a guy shooting an old Level IIIA vest with the NON-F version.
I think "significant back-side deformation" would be the operative description of the effect.

I'm not a big advocate of the "ballistic energy" argument. But that looks pretty darn "energetic" to me.
Whole lot more than one round of .223
Even though it didn't penetrate the vest.

Will IIIA Body Armor Stop a 12 Gauge???

Federal Tactical LE 12 Gauge 1 oz Hydra-Shok HP Rifled Slug shot at a level III soft body armor panel. Will it penetrate it?

youtu.be

 

[9x56MS]

The 1300 fps is the old pumpkin ball slugs. It will knock you down and kill you but most likely not pass through. Recoil is still way more than the manbun shooters could tolerate.

 

[Dirtybob]

1350 fps in a 1 oz. slug is about where I draw the line for 'low recoil'. The hotter slugs are tolerable but not so much when shooting from the bench.
B&P and Fiocchi also have some nice on the shoulder low recoil slug offerings.
Always heard that muzzle brakes don't work well on shotguns but I recently fired a bunch of Winchester 3" 1 oz. 1760 fps slugs from a shotgun equipped with a "V6" brake on it and was truly impressed. Barely any more felt recoil than promo target loads. Can't say I liked the appearance but was impressed with the function...

V6 Industries - Muzzle Brake, Compensator, Shotgun Muzzle Brake

The Finest Most Effective Muzzle Brakes To Ever Hit The Firearms Industry! The V6 is a game changer! Perfect for rapid acquisition and instant follow-up shots.

www.v6brake.com

 

[lemaymiami]

When you're scared spitless - and it's all on the line... Just think of the impact downrange... As always standard loads are a one shot fight ender - even when it needs to penetrate a barrier before getting on target. No thank you to reduced loads for this guy...

 

[mcb]

Grew up in a slug only state, killed my first two deer with 3-inch Remington slugger 1oz @~1760 fps. Very dead deer and if not a good broad side shot allot of meat lost. I switched to using a 410 slug gun. I have used the managed recoil sluggers 1oz @~1200 fps for three gun matches. If I was going to use my shotgun for self defense it would be with the managed recoil ammunition, though Buckshot would be my choice over slugs for that application.

 

[W.E.G.]

When you're scared spitless - and it's all on the line... Just think of the impact downrange... As always standard loads are a one shot fight ender - even when it needs to penetrate a barrier before getting on target. No thank you to reduced loads for this guy...

Might have to pick up a few boxes of DOUBLE-WHAMMY slugs for serious social work.

Most of the time I'm just shooting the berm and making rude jokes. ONE-WHAMMY is probably sufficient for FAGO work.
eff around goof off

Being a range bum is hard work, but somebody gotta do it.

 

[goon]

The labels, branding, and similar item number is confusing. I look at the published ballistics - 1 ounce slug at 1300 FPS. That’s kind of a mid range 12 gauge slug. My Classic Magnum Brenneke slugs are 1 1/4 ounce at 1510, which is manageable but still not to be trifled with. I occasionally find 7/8 ounce Fiocchi slugs at 1300 FPS for cheaper practice, and they are very manageable from a standard Mossberg 500.

 

[lemaymiami]

Reconsidered my last post... When I pointed out that I preferred full power slugs (and 00buck as well) I wasn't speaking about 3" rounds or anything "extra powerful"... Basic 2 3/4 rounds in either foster slugs or 00buck will provide a terrible impact downrange on any two legged target within range... No need for anything else in my book - but must admit that Vietnam cured me of ever hunting again - so all my experience and training revolved around police work - not hunting..

I can definitely see a role for reduced power loads for training and general range applications - but I'll still be preferring standard full power rounds for serious social occasions..

 

[entropy]

1300 is standard velocity for a 1 oz. trap load, and as pointed out, much less recoil than the same slug at over 1600.
Lemaymiami has deduced the reason for the reduced loads- training. They also would work on deer for slug range shooting, though I preferred 1 oz. slugs to be at @1450 for deer, and sabots well above that.

 

[RMc]

Regarding the many, commonly available, rifled slug rounds:

The many differing velocity loads make it possible to find a rifled slug cartridge that shoots to point of aim with the bead on a flat rail sight system* - commonly found on field guns. The sight picture is essentially the same as late 19th century, block type, express sights. The eye naturally centers the bead on the flat for a quick and reasonably precise sight picture. That rifled slugs are sold in convenient packets of five, makes this a reasonably inexpensive endeavor.

*Aka, vent rib.

 

[goon]

I agree Federal using "LE127RS" for both slug product models was a bad idea.
I'll need to double-check which ones I've bought as once the ammo is out of the box, it's dfficult/impossible for me to tell.
With the hulls the same color, I don't remember there being anything significant printed on each round and the ink on the hulls either wears off or is already hard to read. I think some of my hulls are a reddish-burgundy color making the ink even harder to read.
Perhaps I should just shoot up a few hundred rounds and start my ammo inventory over during this year.

Yeah, and I think Fed loads both blue and burgundy hulls with the same load occasionally. There is also a copper plated slug Federal loads in the same range.

My system is Brenneke slugs for animal threats, and lighter recoiling stuff like Fiocchi Aero for practice (mostly). I liked the S&B reduced recoil at 1300 FPS when I found them too.

 

[amd6547]

Ohio used to be a slug only state. As a result, you would see ads for various slugs at sale prices every fall. I’m not a hunter, but I would stock up some slugs for self defense and range purposes at bargain prices.
One I found I liked was the Federal Tru-ball low recoil, 1300fps load… Very accurate and manageable. Doesn’t say “tactical” on it, but I doubt a bad guy would care.

 

[goon]

Ohio used to be a slug only state. As a result, you would see ads for various slugs at sale prices every fall. I’m not a hunter, but I would stock up some slugs for self defense and range purposes at bargain prices.
One I found I liked was the Federal Tru-ball low recoil, 1300fps load… Very accurate and manageable. Doesn’t say “tactical” on it, but I doubt a bad guy would care.

From what I can see, Federal loads PB127 DPRS at 1,350 FPS and calls it a higher antimony alloy 1 ounce slug. I thought they were copper plated, but maybe I’m wrong. They also load a one ounce lead HP slug at 1,300 FPS and label it PB127 LRS. The LE slugs have similar ballistics but usually in blue hulls, and sometimes $1 or $2 cheaper per box if ordered in bulk.

 

[IWAC]

Seems to me the "Low Recoil" loads will hurt less at the shoulder end, and that is a GOOD thing!

 

[Leon tP]

I suspect anytime you read 'Tactical' on the box it's gonna mean a lower velocity than full power loads. It would give the user faster follow-up shots and a leg-up in a fight, therefore, a 'Tactical' edge.

I have a bunch of that LE127RS ammo lying around and it's all listed as 1300 fps. The 'Maximum' is just a DE (dram equivalent) listing and is nothing more than...

“MAX” or “MAG” DRAM EQUIVALENT LOADS


Steel shot, buckshot and slug loads as well as 410 bore loads were not equated to a dram equivalent as they were introduced using smokeless propellant. These loads were usually listed as either “MAX” or “magnum” (“MAG”) in the absence of a clear correlation to black powder load velocities.

Faqs - SAAMI

saami.org

When I read that LE127RS product code this is what I see. Law Enforcement, 12 gauge, 70 cm, Rifled Slug. When I see Tactical, I see reduced velocity, easier to shoot faster.

Nothing mysterious. Good ammo. I like it.

 

[Beck]

You got the right stuff. I bought a bunch of it last year. LE 127 RS in the blue shell is reduced recoil, 1300 fps, and I can feel the difference. I've also got a bunch of the reduced recoil 00 Buck. This is all part of Federal's focus on close range law enforcement use. Very controllable for faster follow-up shots. Gets the job done at realistic ranges that are more likely to be encountered in law enforcement and personal defense.

Makes my 18-inch Remington 870 feel like a pussycat compared to full power loads.

 

[NeverEnoughFDE]

PB127LRS - The TruBall Rifled Slug uses a simple plastic ball between the wad and slug to force extremely accurate results. http://www.federalpremium.com/products/ ... spx?id=395 It's a low velocity slug rated at 1300 fps.

LEB127LRS - Federal Law Enforcement Tactical 2 3/4" 1oz. Low Recoil TRUBALL Rifled Slug. Again rated at 1300 fps.

LE127RS -1oz Rifled Hydra Shok Hollow Point Slug 1300 fps.

 

[luv2safari]

I like the easy recovery and target acquisition of the reduced recoil slugs. In a close quarters situation I much prefer reduced recoil, and a 1,300 fps 1 oz projectile still travels with authority. I'm not a wuss and shot coyotes with my 416 Rigby for years from off my porch or out the bedroom window. I did load them down from 400/410 grain loads to the 350gr Speers.

When the grand-kids were 12-13 and sometimes hunting on a close state preserve that required slugs or black powder they shot my two Valmet combo guns with 12ga barrels and scopes. They shot the reduced power and recoil ammo and slammed the deer.

 

[9x56MS]

I like the easy recovery and target acquisition of the reduced recoil slugs. In a close quarters situation I much prefer reduced recoil, and a 1,300 fps 1 oz projectile still travels with authority. I'm not a wuss and shot coyotes with my 416 Rigby for years from off my porch or out the bedroom window. I did load them down from 400/410 grain loads to the 350gr Speers.

When the grand-kids were 12-13 and sometimes hunting on a close state preserve that required slugs or black powder they shot my two Valmet combo guns with 12ga barrels and scopes. They shot the reduced power and recoil ammo and slammed the deer.

That 350 grain slug must have saved time in not having to bury them yotes

 

[9x56MS]

If I recall correctly the tru-ball slugs were for smoothbore barrels not rifled barrels. I have not seen any on lgs shelves in several years. Not sure if they are still produced but my old Ithica deerslayer loved them.

 

[fastbolt]

Yeah, as others have already offered, the 'low recoil' loads have a lower velocity (and resulting less kick) for LE users who may be recoil shy.

This is a comparison link from Vista's catalog that show the reduced recoil and full power slug loads.

Law Enforcement - Federal Premium LE, Speer LE, BLACKHAWK!, Eagle - Shotshell - Slug Compare

Compare Federal Premium LE Shotshell-Slug Ammunition

le.vistaoutdoor.com

The reduced recoil typically runs around 1300fps and the full power 1600fps among the major slug lines. If an auto SG is being used, the the owner/user needs to determine if there's any difference in reliable functioning between low recoil and full power loads in both Buck and Slug.