I can't find the new federal hvy weight #7 loads anywhere. Where are you guys getting them? Are they in the stores yet?

Rochelle,
I just started using the #7's and they are the BEST! They shoot like number 5's and there is more shot per load. I bought mine off of Macks Prairie Wings. The link will be attached below. If you have any problems, let me know. Take care and good luck!

www.mackspw.com/sort.asp?id=1_ 2&d=Federal_Ammunition

deeq

I shoot the Mossy 835 and have trouble ejecting Federal 3.5 in shells (too long). Every other 3.5 ejects fine. What are you shooting them in? How isthe performance in the field? What do you consider max range for your gun and choke with the #7 HW shot?

The idea of #7 "Heavy" really interests me for the reason you described - tremendous pellet count combined with the downrange energy of a 5 or 6 lead shot.

Thanks in advance

Mouthcaller

Mouthcaller,
I'm shooting a Browning Gold NWTF edition. I've never had a problem with the 3.5 load ejecting. In the field, this load is simplyamazing. I really don't have any experiences to share with you because of it's short life span in the industry, but the turkey I shot on opening weekend in Georgia was one of the cleanest kill loads I've ever shot. I was crawling on a hened up gobbler and had to take a shot in a prone position. Well, right before I pulled the trigger I slipped a little and jerked barrel right when the shot went off. At40 yards, and a jerking shotgun I still made a clean kill. Being utterly speechless about what had happend to me before and during the shot, I went back to test the overall performance of this loadatsome crazy unethical distances (NOTE: I patterned this load before the season start, but at ethical distances). Since a box of these shells cost around $32.00, I only shot 2 times to test the overall performance. First shot was at 50 yards...as I walked up on the big box I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I don't know it was the flightcontrol wad that federal invented or just the number of pellets in this load, but the pattern was localized to the general interest I was aiming at. I didn't count the holes, but I know that there was more than 90-100 pellets in the area I was aiming. Outside of the area I was aiming, I really understood why I could get away with a little jerk and still be able to kill take a clean kill. The second shot was at 65 yards...once again as I walked up on a new box i put out as a target, I became utterly speechless. This time the area I was aiming at probably had around 50 pellets inside kill zone. Outside the area I was aiming the shot spread started to open out more. I'm sure if you bought 3 or 4 boxes of this load and shot a good 2 boxes you could really figure out this load. Just from the two shots I gained alot of knowledge on the overall limits of this load in my gun. I'm not saying that I'm going to start shooting turkeys at 60+ yards, but if something were to ever come up and some crazy situation arises, I'll know my limits on the shot. I'm going to give you a run down on my gun and choke that I use. Good luck and hope you have a great year!

Browning NWTF GOLD Ultimate Turkey 3.5
24 inch barrel
Browning Full Strut Turkey Tube
Federal HeavyWeight 3.5 #7

deeq

Thanks for the thorough explaination. Please keep me posted how it goes this season, and good luck.

I wish my Mossberg ejected the federal 3.5 inch shell, but I can't rely on it. I may have to break down and go with the Nitro l#7 loads once I've shot the remaining Hevi 13s that I have.

Thanks again

Mouthcaller