Black Cloud Close Range
- Thread starter moellermd
- Start date
I got some but I haven't shot yet. I also got Black Cloud Snow Goose shells, 3 inch, because I know several recoil conscience shooters who swear it is mild to shoot. We will find out at 1635 FPS. The close range is where I shoot any way, I guess oblong shot, is a better marketing ploy then gravel and glass! Us old guys though perfectly round shot was the holy grail, adding nickle, copper, antimony, to help it keep it's shape. Now we know the old geezers who shot the make up loads, gravel, ground glass, nails, had a laugh at us all!
shorthairs4life
New member
Black Cloud
This is my preference when shooting non-toxic. I started using BlackCloud 2 years ago when I first went to South Dakota. It's the only non-toxic I use now. Excellent knock down power and does not destroy the birds like some shots.
This is my preference when shooting non-toxic. I started using BlackCloud 2 years ago when I first went to South Dakota. It's the only non-toxic I use now. Excellent knock down power and does not destroy the birds like some shots.
Cobblestone
New member
Too bad they don't make it in 16 ga.
wisturkeyhunter
New member
Normal steel loads work fine close range. If black cloud extends your range over regular steel it might be worth the money but to pay extra for a close range version makes no sense.
I'd buy hevi-metal if I wanted better performance than steel without buying the expensive stuff that comes in boxes of 10.
I'd buy hevi-metal if I wanted better performance than steel without buying the expensive stuff that comes in boxes of 10.
BrownDogsCan2
Well-known member
I agree, BC close range is the dummest thing I have ever heard of. Though Pure marketing genius. The BC-storm chasers-Jonestown mallardslayers will buy it by the truckload!!!
birdshooter
Well-known member
I've used it. Your kind of limited in load options however and unless you want to shoot 3" ammo, a 1 oz is all that is available in 2¾".
I think you can find better deals with Kent steel shot. Personally, I would look for something in a 2¾" with 1-1/8 or 1¼ oz of #2 or #3's.
I think you can find better deals with Kent steel shot. Personally, I would look for something in a 2¾" with 1-1/8 or 1¼ oz of #2 or #3's.
Royal Flush
New member
I decided to go with all non-tox loads this year to make life easier. I've been hunting mostly WMA and WPA areas since last year... and changing back and forth from lead to steel really sucks. And I'd prefer to avoid the potential problems created by the lead shell if inadvertently missed in a jacket or vest pocket - and then hunting a WPA.
I really like the Federal Speed Shok Waterfowl 'blue box' load. Bought a case of the 3" 1 1/4 oz. #2's from Rogers this summer - $99 with free shipping. A really great load that's both economical, efficient, and highly uniform. They pattern great and work exceptionally well for both ducks and pheasants. And since Federal is local, I prefer to support them.
Having said that - the Black Cloud Close Range load is largely marketing hype... maybe marketing genius. The Flight-Control wad and 'Close Range' are diametrically opposed. Why do I say that? Federal Premium themselves explain it nicely.
From the Federal Premium Close Range website:
" Black Cloud Close Range is engineered to put more pellets on targets 20 to 30 yards away. With a payload of 100% FLITESTOPPER® Steel loaded in the proven, rear-breaking FLITECONTROL® wad, Black Cloud Close Range achieves a full pattern within a very short distance. It produces more open and optimum patterns-ideal when hunting timber or decoying waterfowl. "
The only apparent difference between regular Black Cloud and Black Cloud Close Range is the FlightStopper pellet mixture: Regular Black Cloud is 60% standard steel / 40% FlightStopper pellets and Black Cloud Close Range is 100% FlightStopper pellets.
From the Federal Premium Black Cloud page: (bold text emphasis by me)
" Move over standard steel, there’s a new non-tox in town. Black Cloud featuring the FLITECONTROL® wad and FLITESTOPPER™ steel is unlike any other steel shot ever introduced. The FLITECONTROL wad tightens patterns for long-range effectiveness and FLITESTOPPER steel shot pellets wreak havoc on unsuspecting waterfowl. This product will change the way you view standard steel ammunition. Drop Ducks Like Rain™ with Black Cloud FS Steel...."
And from the FlightControl Q&A page: (directly from a Federal engineer... bold emphasis added by me)
We spend a few minutes here with Federal engineer Rochelle Poore to ask some popular questions about how the wad was developed and why it's such a success....
Q) Explain the main differences between the FLITECONTROL wad and a conventional wad.
A) "In a conventional wad, as soon as the wad leaves the barrel, it has petals that open up in the front and dispense the shot into a cloud so that the shot isn't protected in any way. With the FLITECONTROL wad, as soon as it exits the barrel, the shot is kept inside the wad. There are no slits in the shot cup portion and the shot is contained in the wad for an extended period of time, say anywhere up to 10 yards, depending on the configuration of the wad. What happens is the slitting in the overpowder [rear] section opens up and starts slowing the wad down. Instead of releasing the shot in a cloud, it starts slowly backing away from the tight shot string sitting inside the wad, and releases the shot that way. The biggest difference is that the FC wad is a rear-braking wad that pulls itself off the shot and conventional wads kind of "throw" the shot out there. This is how we get such tight patterns."
Rogers Sporting Goods has some of the best shotshell prices out there.
Black Cloud Close Range 3" 1 1/4 oz. #2, 3 or 4 $189.99 / Free Shipping
Is Black Cloud Close Range worth $90 more than the Federal Speed Shok 'blue box' option... or others available?
That's up to the individual... but anyone who has patterned the Black Cloud or Prairie Storm loads knows there are much better non-tox alternates for 'Close Range' work - even within the available Federal Premium load options. And I'd venture to say better options for any distance.... and I say that as a Federal fan.
Another bit of marketing genius is the FlightStopper pellet itself - which is neither sharp nor creates larger wound channels than regular steel pellets of the same size... but I'll leave that for someone else.
Federal Premium does make some great loads at reasonable prices... but I don't think Black Cloud or Prairie Storm is among them.
I really like the Federal Speed Shok Waterfowl 'blue box' load. Bought a case of the 3" 1 1/4 oz. #2's from Rogers this summer - $99 with free shipping. A really great load that's both economical, efficient, and highly uniform. They pattern great and work exceptionally well for both ducks and pheasants. And since Federal is local, I prefer to support them.
Having said that - the Black Cloud Close Range load is largely marketing hype... maybe marketing genius. The Flight-Control wad and 'Close Range' are diametrically opposed. Why do I say that? Federal Premium themselves explain it nicely.
From the Federal Premium Close Range website:
" Black Cloud Close Range is engineered to put more pellets on targets 20 to 30 yards away. With a payload of 100% FLITESTOPPER® Steel loaded in the proven, rear-breaking FLITECONTROL® wad, Black Cloud Close Range achieves a full pattern within a very short distance. It produces more open and optimum patterns-ideal when hunting timber or decoying waterfowl. "
The only apparent difference between regular Black Cloud and Black Cloud Close Range is the FlightStopper pellet mixture: Regular Black Cloud is 60% standard steel / 40% FlightStopper pellets and Black Cloud Close Range is 100% FlightStopper pellets.
From the Federal Premium Black Cloud page: (bold text emphasis by me)
" Move over standard steel, there’s a new non-tox in town. Black Cloud featuring the FLITECONTROL® wad and FLITESTOPPER™ steel is unlike any other steel shot ever introduced. The FLITECONTROL wad tightens patterns for long-range effectiveness and FLITESTOPPER steel shot pellets wreak havoc on unsuspecting waterfowl. This product will change the way you view standard steel ammunition. Drop Ducks Like Rain™ with Black Cloud FS Steel...."
And from the FlightControl Q&A page: (directly from a Federal engineer... bold emphasis added by me)
We spend a few minutes here with Federal engineer Rochelle Poore to ask some popular questions about how the wad was developed and why it's such a success....
Q) Explain the main differences between the FLITECONTROL wad and a conventional wad.
A) "In a conventional wad, as soon as the wad leaves the barrel, it has petals that open up in the front and dispense the shot into a cloud so that the shot isn't protected in any way. With the FLITECONTROL wad, as soon as it exits the barrel, the shot is kept inside the wad. There are no slits in the shot cup portion and the shot is contained in the wad for an extended period of time, say anywhere up to 10 yards, depending on the configuration of the wad. What happens is the slitting in the overpowder [rear] section opens up and starts slowing the wad down. Instead of releasing the shot in a cloud, it starts slowly backing away from the tight shot string sitting inside the wad, and releases the shot that way. The biggest difference is that the FC wad is a rear-braking wad that pulls itself off the shot and conventional wads kind of "throw" the shot out there. This is how we get such tight patterns."
Rogers Sporting Goods has some of the best shotshell prices out there.
Black Cloud Close Range 3" 1 1/4 oz. #2, 3 or 4 $189.99 / Free Shipping
Is Black Cloud Close Range worth $90 more than the Federal Speed Shok 'blue box' option... or others available?
That's up to the individual... but anyone who has patterned the Black Cloud or Prairie Storm loads knows there are much better non-tox alternates for 'Close Range' work - even within the available Federal Premium load options. And I'd venture to say better options for any distance.... and I say that as a Federal fan.
Another bit of marketing genius is the FlightStopper pellet itself - which is neither sharp nor creates larger wound channels than regular steel pellets of the same size... but I'll leave that for someone else.
Federal Premium does make some great loads at reasonable prices... but I don't think Black Cloud or Prairie Storm is among them.