Federal Blackcloud

[duckdown2]

Hey i was upland hunting all weekend and have yet to get out for waterfowl crazy in know picking upland over waterfowl but it happens. i was wondering if anyone shot Federals Blackcloud yet and how the results were? should i stick with steel or grab a case of BC???????? Thanks

[steelheadslayer]

It didn't work worth a darn for me. However, if I actually hit what I was shooting at I'll let you know.

[redfish89]

My buddy used it and said he didnt notice much of a difference from kent fast steel. For the price, they are not worth it...

[High Life]

one of my buddies uses it and absolutely loves it.every bird he shoots is stone dead.he said he has yet to cripple a bird.ill be buying a box here real soon to give it a shot

[Ziess]

I had mixed results with it this weekend. I was shooting 3in #2s and some hevi-shot.

We had a bunch of birds real close and it seems like the Flite Control Wad keeps the shot too tight for up close shots, they were really destroying the birds at under 15 yds. I did get one long shot at about 40 yds and it dropped the bird dead no problem. When we cut the bird open there were several of the belted pellets inside and very few bb's, so I guess it does count for something.

[Headhunter]

I used it at Summer Lake and really liked it. My primary load is Kent Fasteel 3 in #2's. For decoying birds in the 20-30 yard range, I think BC does not give that much of an improvment and might be too tight a pattern to justify the extra cost. So for decoying birds, I am sticking with regular steel at 1550 fps to get the job done.

Now if most of your shots are in the 30-40+ yard range, I do think there is a diffrence and it may make sense to use it. At Summer Lake, I was pass shooting and not decoying birds. When I connected, it dropped the birds like a rock and they were done. No swat shot needed...just fell and didn't get up again. It seems like when I am using regular steel at the 35+ yards, I tend to need to swat them more often.

[duckdown2]

Alright thanks guys! From what you all said it sounds like it would be a good late season shell for when the birds are a little shy or a 3 shot for when they are gettin up and out of the spread . Again thanks fellas!!!!!

[pointnshoot]

I watched my hunting buddy shoot two limits over the weekend with BC. We did not obsereve any difference compared to a decent reg steel load. He was shooting 3" 2's at an ave range of 35yds. It kills ducks but did not "drop ducks like rain" IOO. He has a case so more testing will happen.

[Snubber]

Did you pattern the load prior to trying??? or just take it out and hunt with it??

Believe it or not, not all shotguns, loads, give you an exact distribution of pellets into/onto your target. Some shotguns distribute 60% above point of aim and 40% below, or percentages similar. By determining this, it will hopefully help you determine point of aim on your target.

This is exactly how a good trap shooter will determine where their hold is on a clay bird: Do they cover the straight away completely, partially or have a 6 O'clock hold. Shotgunning basics but easily forgotten.

By doing the research, the new BlackCloud load has two interesting features:

• New designed pellet, with cutting edge, causing increased lethal capabilities
• Flitecontrol wad, where the wad opens in the rear, not the front, so yes the pattern is tighter, denser and further out.

I would recommend using the modified or imp/mod choke with this load, but also recommend each person pattern the load for their given firearm.

Not all, but alot of folks are poor at determining yardage, unless the birds are right in. I see these loads providing better down range performance with better killing capabilites and denser patterns than any other "steel shot" type offering.

These are my observations thus far and yes, it hits him hard !!!

[xstreme357]

i love it. shot my limit in 37 mins with it. hit harder than fs in my opinion. just buy a box and tell us if you like it.

[barnyard121]

yeah i have used it, and really like it, it shoots FAST! and hits them hard! but kent will kill them to. you need to shoot a couple rounds before hunting with it because you don't have to leed much.

[duck_crazy101]

with the birds i have shot with it the birds get blown up i like kent better