Federal Power-Shok 12ga 3" #4 buck vs. Federal Vital-Shok 12ga 3" #4 CP buck

M

Matlock

New member
Any feedback on the difference in performance between these two Federal 12ga 3" #4 buck offerings?

Federal Power-Shok 12ga 3" #4 buck (F1314B)
Federal Vital-Shok 12ga 3" #4 Copper-Plated buck (P1584B)

I'm guessing the later is better as it's copper-plated, but I've never used either. I know which one costs more, but that doesn't always equate to better.
 
I don't think the lead copper plated shot really makes that much difference.

When I shot copper plated lead shot into catalogs for penetration testing it flattened out and got all mangled up just like plain lead magnum shot did.

Nickel plated and copper plated shot may penetrate and pattern a little better than magnum lead shot but it is not like it is twice as good as magnum lead shot.

I would take both of those loads and pattern them and use the one that patterns best through your shotgun.
 
The difference in performance is entirely about which one your gun patterns best with. The copper plating on shotshells is like that of rimfire ammo, just a thin wash over the lead. Probably makes the shot a bit more slippery which "might" cause it to pattern better. If one load is buffered that probably would contribute more to patterning performance than the thin plating. The copper wash does not make the shot harder and allow it to penetrate better. In fact, I've found the pellets of the Federal copper plated to actually be pretty soft. I think high antimony magnum lead shot might actually out penetrate it. Nickel plating is a different animal. The nickel plated shot I've used was both slick and quite hard. Nickel plating is the best of lead shot but sadly no ammo manufacturers offer it in the larger shot sizes that I'm aware of. A good buffered, nickel plated lead BB, T or Four Buck magnum load that wasn't overly expensive would be very nice.
 
Thanks for the replies all. I had suspected the copper plating was probably more of a gimmick/marketing scheme than anything, but you never know. Just have to give it a try and see.

That nickle-plated Fiocchi stuff looks interesting. I've been mainly buying 3" #4 buck due to the increased pellet count over 2 3/4", but might have to give that stuff a try.
 
Originally Posted By: MatlockThanks for the replies all. I had suspected the copper plating was probably more of a gimmick/marketing scheme than anything, but you never know. Just have to give it a try and see.

That nickle-plated Fiocchi stuff looks interesting. I've been mainly buying 3" #4 buck due to the increased pellet count over 2 3/4", but might have to give that stuff a try.

What size shot does the Fiocchi nickel plated loads come in?

Back in the 1980s Fiocchi had a 3" 1-3/4 oz nickel plated BB load that just smoked honkers and coyotes.
 
My favorite non HTL hand load is 1-3/4 oz. of nickel plated F with 49 pellets. Patterns really well and great penetration for lead. Very inexpensive to load too.

- DAA
 
Is the difference in pellet count 2 3/4" vs. 3" (27 vs 41) of a #4 buck shotshell really something to be concerned about? I realize more pellets equals more possibilities of a hit, but if the lower pellet count patterns better - more hits - than the bigger shell, does it matter?
 
What matters is how many pellets you can get in 10" @ 40 yards. If the short shell gives you a better pattern than the larger load then it's a winner. Usually it doesn't, but there's only one way to find out... hit the range.
 
Originally Posted By: MatlockIs the difference in pellet count 2 3/4" vs. 3" (27 vs 41) of a #4 buck shotshell really something to be concerned about? I realize more pellets equals more possibilities of a hit, but if the lower pellet count patterns better - more hits - than the bigger shell, does it matter?

When I could shoot lead shot at coyotes I used lead BB shot because I didn't like having only 41 pellets in the 3" number 4 buck loads. The 1-7/8 oz Federal BB loads had 98 pellets per shell.

If I was going to shoot lead number 4 buck it would be the 3" loads with 41 pellets. Even if you had the same amount of number 4 buck pellets hit in a 10" circle with the 27 pellet 2-3/4" load you would have 14 more pellets with the 3" load that could hit the coyote if your shot isn't perfect.

I would much rather have a 20" wide killing pattern than a 10" wide killing pattern and that is why I prefer 70 to 100 pellets per shell for coyotes.
 


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