Fiocchi Steel Review

Carl

Carl

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While back I bought a case of Fiocchi steel that Rogers had on sale. 3", 1 1/5 ounce, #3s. Box says 1550 FPS.

Shot them for the first time today. So far, I'm impressed. Both redheads I killed today were passing shots at around 30-35 yards. I put 6-8 pellets in each bird. Stone dead on impact. So they seem to pattern very well. They seem to kick just a little bit harder than the Federal 3", 1.25 oz #3 I've been shooting, too.
The buffies and hoodie were all decoying at closer range, and all except one were DOA as well.
I'd by Fiocchi again.
 
I bought a case of 3 inch fiocchi steel last year. Number 4's I believe.Had trouble jamming up in my nova so I gave them to my son. He had trouble getting them to cycle in his super Vinci. Not a great experience for me.

DW
 
I shot a couple boxes of them out of my Franchi Affinity this fall and didn't have a single issue. I'm impressed with them. My kill ratio on pheasants was very good with them.
For about the same price the shot in these Fiocchi loads looks 100 times better then what is in Winchester Xperts.

Tim
 
Was on Kent Steel prostaff program for years. When the quality of their rounds became an issue, I stepped away & tried the Fiocchi. Never looked back & Im paying for my own shells now.
 
I'd suspect a bit more kick regardless of shot size as it's weight that tells the difference.

1 1/5 ounce vs 1 1/4 ounce, unless a typo?

I shoot the Kent Fasteel and I prefer the slower 1 1/4 load to the faster 1 1/8 load. Not for kick, but efficacy.

But that's a special order, generally, because MOST people buy as speed freaks ahead of pattern/efficacy.

Glad to see Fiocchi making it happen. Used to shoot some of their lead for trap when I actually was an outdoorsy type.

Regarding Kent: I had my first misfire this fall. In diagnosing the issue, it seams the breech on the O/U needs a bit more "positive" reinforcement at close. In >15 years never an issue with their shells.

Regarding SBEs: I have no beef against them, just can't get them to work for me. It's why there are sooooo many different manufactures that aren't yet owned by Benelli/Berreta/etc. I'm a "gas" guy, not an "inertia" guy.

Anyway, to Carl's point: skill and equipment kill birds; but equipment has a hard time making up for lack of skill. Mostly, it's application of your skill and the tools that give you confidence.

For the record: I shoot a Pre-Beneili Franch 612 VS 3" with Kent Fasteel #3
 
I too used to shoot Kent faithfully. Until they started jamming in a couple of my guns. Seems that something changed that wasn't the gun. I have shot Fiocchi on the range but never in the field. I may have to try it.
 
i always thought kent's were dirty garbage, I've shot fiochii since at least 2005. I shoot a lot more ducks than most people, I hardly ever have a jam that appears to be the rounds fault. They pattern remarkably well for steel. With lots of steel I see minimal influence on the shot string from choke selection. I usually find fiochii very influenced by chokes.
 
Around here the Fiocchis are actually a bit cheaper than the Fasteel, and a better quality shell in my opinion. I have shot 3 or 4 boxes of the #3's and never had a problem. I cut open a few to have a look at the components and they looked good-nice round uniform shot and a decent looking wad. I probably would still be shooting them but I got a case of Remington Nitro Steel at a crazy discount last year that will probably last me a year or two.
 
I guess fiocchi changed up their line up, I still have a half case of 1 1/4 oz 3 inch 3's, I think they also had 1 1/8 oz loads that were 1550 fps.

They work very well, though if I recall I had some trouble with them cycling in one of my guns, the 1187 I think, but that may have been when I had to change out the recoil spring.

Otherwise, mostly dead ducks in the air, couldn't do that with Xperts.
 
Carl et al~

Interesting post. I've been a fan of Kent Fasteel for many years. I stocked up on cases in light of our Governor's "SAFE Act" a few years ago - which was supposed to have prohibited ammunition purchases via internet/mail. I have had excellent results with my old Model 12 (1-1/8- ounce 3s, 1425 fps - in 2-3/4", of course). Some of the comments here make me wonder what I might find in a couple of my more recent cases.

Nevertheless, my real "contribution" to this thread concerns Fiocchi. I shot some back in the late 80s/early 90s (?) when their brown shells became available on Long Island. Having grown up there - and satisfied with their performance - one of my gunning partners "borrowed" the iconic tag line from the nation's largest pasta company. Ronzoni was based in NYC - so I am not sure how widely their ads were broadcast. After dropping a bird, Mike - with his real talent for reproducing any accent, would announce earnestly to all of Great South Bay - in a rich and silky baritone: "Fiocchi sono buoni." Invariably - just like on TV, he would then - sotto voce - translate for the non-Italian audience: "Fiocchi is s-o-o-o good!"

All the best,

SJS
 
Stopped into Dick's Sporting Goods....on the shelf were Field & Stream steel ammo at $9.99 a box....unfamiliar with this brand I took a closer look.....on the bottom of the box.....assembled in the USA Fiocchi America.....interested if any one has a review on this ammo... is it the same as the above
 
Been shooting the Fiocchi 3" #3s for the past three seasons love them shoot great out of my Beretta Extrema. I use just the standard modified choke have not had any problems with them ejecting they knock birds down just like any other shell if used in the affective range!!
 
Same choke (mod) I use in my 390. I don't think I have ever tried any other.
 
yep, that's where I got mine, in fact I've bought all my shells for the last 5 seasons from Rogers.
 
Stopped into Dick's Sporting Goods....on the shelf were Field & Stream steel ammo at $9.99 a box....unfamiliar with this brand I took a closer look.....on the bottom of the box.....assembled in the USA Fiocchi America.....interested if any one has a review on this ammo... is it the same as the above
Click to expand...

It wouldn't surprise me if they are just a store brand made by Fiocchi. The ones I get are sold in a couple chains and are called Steel Max.
They might be a little different load from the ones Carl is talking about but might be worth a try.

Tim
 
There are generally two ways private label works. My experience is in food, but business systems are business systems.....

1) same formulation, same components, different label

2) same formulation, lower cost components, different label

The 3rd is:

3) different formulation, different components, different label

The Field and Stream brand has been kicking around for years as a store brand. I used to buy the brand at Gander Mountain before they did their private label Guide Series.

It's likely a decent enough shell. The "By Fiocchi" can be a bit of a red herring.... example: all your Mac and Cheese is made on the same line and Yoplait and Dannon yogurts run next to each in other in the plant.

So, it's quality manufacturing as a process, but if they lowered the cost of the shell by reducing the quality of components, it might be a bit like buying Kraft vs the Generic Mac.
 
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