Fox Collectors

I recently shot 1oz. factory Remington, Winchester, Federal and Fiocchi Game Loads to see how they pattern and to check POI of my "new" 16 ga. Utica-Fox Sterlingworth. While all four brands fired OK, I noticed distinct differences in the amount of firing pin penetration. Just eye-balling the primer hits, RGL's were the most shallow, followed by Winchesters and Federals that had about the same amount of penetration but deeper than the RGL's. The Fiocchi's showed significantly more penetration than any of the others.

Because of their limited availablility in my area ( I've only found them at Gander mountain and a small privately owned gun shop that are both 50-60 miles away), I have not shot Federal or Fiocchi shells in years. I have my dad's Springfield-Stevens model 215 SxS hammer gun that sometimes fails to fire RGL's due to light primer hits. I am now thinking I should shoot Fiocchi's in that gun.

Any suggestions on where to get the best prices for Ferderal and Fiocchi shells when ordering on line?

I dont know what a RGL is, but Able's sells Fiocchi low pressure 12 ga 2 3/4 shells on the line, and are usually/always in stock. They will ship to your front door, no signature required.

Remington Game Load=RGL I shoot RGL's just to get the cases to reload. I suspect that you will find that if you use any volume of ammo in 16ga (the perfect upland gun) you will be looking at reloading at some point. One draw back to using factory rounds for targets, especially the RGL is that the recoil will loosen your fillings if you burn 100 rounds on a sporting course. The Federal case stands up to reloading pretty well but the factory 1 oz. loads also have a little bite to them. I have no experience with Fiocchi.

Thanks for the suggestions. I had taken dad's 16 ga. Stevens SxS hammer gun a gunsmith to replace the hammer springs. I gave him 15 Remington Game Loads (RGL's) that I bought about 3 years ago. He just called to say that after doing the work and test firing it, he had 3 X 15 FTF's with my shells, although they did fire the second time. He bought a new box of RGL's and all 25 fired OK. However, I will look for Federals or Fiocchis to shoot in that gun.

Just checke out Able and Cheaper Than Dirt. $10/box or more including shipping is a lot for Federals and Fiocchis purchased on line, but I'm not sure if I shoot enough to justify investing in a reloader and all that goes with it.

I've shot quite a few Fiocchi game/target rounds and RGLs. The Fiocchis are definitely less stout than the RGLs which are in my opinion the stoutest of the factory loads. Downside to the Fiocchis is they are one nasty load and really leave a mess in the barrels.

For higher volume targets I'd definitely choose the Fios over the RGLs.

Mike

BarkeyVA wrote:Just checke out Able and Cheaper Than Dirt. $10/box or more including shipping is a lot for Federals and Fiocchis purchased on line, but I'm not sure if I shoot enough to justify investing in a reloader and all that goes with it.

If you're not going to reload, it might make sense to "partner" with someone who does. The two of you can agree on a favorite shell and the reloader can commit to buying your empties. Many 16ga reloaders will pay 6-8 cents apiece for once fired empties...Federals are very popular. You could recover $1.50 - $2.00/box that way.

Is WalMart not an option for you? If you find one that stocks any at all, they will order flats in from their warehouse. I've heard they sell Federal 16's in some parts of the country. Mine carries RGL's for $5.67/box...sell those empties for 5 cents apiece and you shoot for <$4.50/box.

Mike,

Great idea about partnering with someone. 16 ga. RGL's are $5.97 here. A couple of months ago I asked the the department manager if she could order a flat or two of RGL's from their warehouse for me, and she said she was not allowed to do it. Perhaps that is a carry-over from when center fire ammo was in such short supply and they were limiting sales to individual customers. However, I'll check again and also ask if the store can get Federals.

It's not cheap, but you can get Federals delivered to your door for <$80 a flat, this weekend only....

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/default ... =3a&page=1

mike campbell wrote:It's not cheap, but you can get Federals delivered to your door for <$80 a flat, this weekend only....

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/default ... =3a&page=1

I just checked the Able web site. Two flats of Federals would be $157.20 ($7.86/box). Add UPS Ground shipping cost of $37.32 and it it comes to $9.73/box delivered to my door.

Haven't had a chance to check the local WalMart to see if they can get Federals.

Didn't you see the promotion at the top of the page? FREE shipping this weekend till 5/31!

I obviously did not! Thanks for the heads up!

Hate to throw a wrench, but unless Federal has switched primers, they stick like the dickens in my Fox guns. dang hard to open the action after just one shell shot. Thus, the reason i went with fiocchi, as no problem with sticking pins/primers. And, reloading is in my future, hope to get started soon.

Mike,

Just checked the details on Able's Free Shipping promotion. Unfortunately, it excludes ammo.

Wouldn't you know it? Bummer.

When all else fails check out Grafs in Mexico, MO.

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/cat ... goryId/391