Free: Contests & Raffles.
As someone who has shot A LOT of Black Cloud, I can tell you this. It has had more one shot kills for me than any other STEEL shot has on the market. I've tried them all. No it isn't going to have the killing range and knockdown power of your super metals, but in my observations it is no gimmick. I don't get to waterfowl hunt near as much as I used to, but when I do get out I shoot Black Cloud shells. FYI, I have no affiliation with them, just a fan from experience. By no means am I saying that you can't go and kill birds dead with Kent or Winchester or Estate, or whatever else brand you find on the shelves. Good hunting.
I've had better luck with Blind Side over Black Cloud. Have seen where the Blind Side wads stick in the barrel (twice). Bought a case of Black Cloud by the time I got home the box was rattling, four of the boxes (25) were over crimped and all the shot fell out. It took almost a year to get any action from Federal. I do just as well with Winchester White box or Federal Blue box shells.
The Flite Stopper wad is no gimmick. It keeps the shot together much further than a conventional wad. Have any of you guys put those Flite Control wads on paper at 20 yards?I just came in from killing a coyote with 12 gauge Federal Flite Control wads and HW15 BB's. Laser range finder confirmed the distance at 111 yards. I know that's not normal shotgun range. However it is my home defense setup and thus was at hand when the booger ran across the back yard while I was getting out of the shower.If you are happy with Black Cloud IMHO it is marketing genius to sell unfinished shot at a premium price. If it takes a super dupper wad to keep that inferior shot to stay together, . Same thing can be done with some nice round #1 steel in a Federal economy blue box.
Question to the OP, are you seeking a gun/load combo for waterfowling? If so, let us know some background- experience, region hunted. Many years of bird hunting experience on this site that can really get you dialed in. For instance, I hunt an expansive piece of public land that requires a boat for the best spots. I've been able to pattern the birds over 30 years. All my shooting is less than 25yds, so my cheap Estate 20ga #4s will hammer anything I shoot.
Quote from: metlhead on July 17, 2020, 06:25:44 AMQuestion to the OP, are you seeking a gun/load combo for waterfowling? If so, let us know some background- experience, region hunted. Many years of bird hunting experience on this site that can really get you dialed in. For instance, I hunt an expansive piece of public land that requires a boat for the best spots. I've been able to pattern the birds over 30 years. All my shooting is less than 25yds, so my cheap Estate 20ga #4s will hammer anything I shoot.OP looks to be posting to promote his YouTube channel, he is from Michigan. 10 posts and most were his YouTube videos.
While I have slowed waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down there was a time that I hunted waterfowl 5-6 times a week. For a little while there we danced with the prospect of television fame and I have hunted many states in this country. Without being a braggart I can say that I have killed more waterfowl than most. I have been sponsored by shot companies and I have used every shotshell you can think of. Here are my thoughts 1) Heavy metal shells like tungsten and bismuth really do hit harder.2) Anything Remington makes is complete trash, I would rather shoot Estate shells. 3) Kent shells are great for some but I have seen the most FTF (Failure to Fire) from those shells than any others. This was observed in a wide verity of guns. 4) Shooting skills trump shell brand choice. I know a guy that runs a clinic in the goose pit using a 20 gauge with cheap-o shells. Probably the best shot I know. This debate is endless and everybody has their own thoughts. It's kinda like the Remington CoreLock bullets. They are not high end but I would wager that they have more big game kills than any other bullet on the market. At some point you just have to rely on shooting skills. I have killed ducks and geese with just about every brand you can think of. They all work, some are dirty and require more cleaning maintenance, some are faster and require aim/lead adjustment, some are "waterproof" and some have crazy ideas about shot size or shape and colors. The bottom line is you should buy what you can afford to shoot and practice with it. If it's a dirty shell that still kills birds but requires more gun maintenance so be it. There is no reason to be fooled into designer shot shells that are outside of your budget. If you can afford the expensive stuff shoot it, and if not, don't worry about it! They all kill and they will all work. It's like a new GF, you just have to get to know them and then decided if you want to keep them around.
Quote from: CoryTDF on August 18, 2020, 09:44:48 AMWhile I have slowed waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down there was a time that I hunted waterfowl 5-6 times a week. For a little while there we danced with the prospect of television fame and I have hunted many states in this country. Without being a braggart I can say that I have killed more waterfowl than most. I have been sponsored by shot companies and I have used every shotshell you can think of. Here are my thoughts 1) Heavy metal shells like tungsten and bismuth really do hit harder.2) Anything Remington makes is complete trash, I would rather shoot Estate shells. 3) Kent shells are great for some but I have seen the most FTF (Failure to Fire) from those shells than any others. This was observed in a wide verity of guns. 4) Shooting skills trump shell brand choice. I know a guy that runs a clinic in the goose pit using a 20 gauge with cheap-o shells. Probably the best shot I know. This debate is endless and everybody has their own thoughts. It's kinda like the Remington CoreLock bullets. They are not high end but I would wager that they have more big game kills than any other bullet on the market. At some point you just have to rely on shooting skills. I have killed ducks and geese with just about every brand you can think of. They all work, some are dirty and require more cleaning maintenance, some are faster and require aim/lead adjustment, some are "waterproof" and some have crazy ideas about shot size or shape and colors. The bottom line is you should buy what you can afford to shoot and practice with it. If it's a dirty shell that still kills birds but requires more gun maintenance so be it. There is no reason to be fooled into designer shot shells that are outside of your budget. If you can afford the expensive stuff shoot it, and if not, don't worry about it! They all kill and they will all work. It's like a new GF, you just have to get to know them and then decided if you want to keep them around. That is a great post and I agree with you. Out of anything I would just suggest people to get out and pattern their gun if switching and especially if switching choke combinations. They all perform a little different.