Ammo Identification

[IDHunter]

Found a good deal on some assorted 20 gauge ammo locally. Private seller, and most was in gallon bags and and ammo can so not in original boxes. There is one round that I got about 60-70 shells of and I'm struggling to figure out exactly what it is. It's Federal Premium, 3 in mag, but it says "copper" on the shell hull. I'd assume it's copper plated lead, but it also says that it's 2 shot. I did a little looking online and didn't find copper plated lead in 2's, so figured I'd see if anyone here might have an idea. Think it's actually copper plated lead 2's that just aren't made any more? And yes, I plan to cut one open and check as well.

[orhunter]

I agree. Copper plated lead. Great goose ammo..... when nobody is watching.

[Willie T]

You may have bought someone’s reloads.

[IDHunter]

You may have bought someone’s reloads.

What would make you think they are reloads? The stamping on the hulls looks original, and looks to be identical to what comes on these Fed Premium Mag's... https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product ... ?a=1594533. I just wasn't sure if copper plated 2's in lead were really a thing. I was hoping (with no reason to support it) that maybe it was some oddball copper plated steel so I could use them for waterfowl, but I guess they'll have to be a turkey or long range pheasant load.

[Dakotazeb]

Is there a possibility it's #2 Buckshot? Cut one open and check it out.

[AverageGuy]

The Federal Premium line of ammo was copper plated lead. I shot a lot of it in the past and it was excellent ammo.

[orhunter]

I took some of Federal's premium Copper plated lead to SD in '96. It was terrible stuff. Although Copper plated, shot was soft as chewing gum.

[IDHunter]

Well I cut one open and as most expected, it’s just copper plated lead number 2’s. Guessing it must have been made for turkeys. Guess I’ll have enough Turkey ammo for the rest of my life now. It is super soft, as someone else mentioned.

[Willie T]

You may have bought someone’s reloads.

What would make you think they are reloads? The stamping on the hulls looks original, and looks to be identical to what comes on these Fed Premium Mag's... https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product ... ?a=1594533. I just wasn't sure if copper plated 2's in lead were really a thing. I was hoping (with no reason to support it) that maybe it was some oddball copper plated steel so I could use them for waterfowl, but I guess they'll have to be a turkey or long range pheasant load.

The lack of factory packaging. I load my own ammo. Then I put it in zippies or buckets or whatever is convenient. Every hull I load has an original factory stamp. The stamp on the hull has nothing to do with how I load them. Cutting one open was a wise move. If your gun patterns those plated 2’s they will smoke a going away rooster that is way out there. Set up a pattern board too see what you have performance wise.
Willie

[orhunter]

I see those are buffered loads, probably "turkey" specific stuff. Does the stamp on the case give the weight of the shot charge?

A lot of "turkey" ammo (and a lot of other stuff) has a very long shot charge when compared to the bore. This leads to shot stringing and less efficient patterns. The muzzle velocity will also be quite low in the 1200 fps range. Not that any of this means a whole lot if it kills birds to your satisfaction.

[Dakotazeb]

I don't see many hunters using #2 shot for turkey hunting. The pattern is just not dense enough for head shots. They might work for pheasants but again pattern density could be an issue. My guess is these were loaded by Federal for waterfowl hunting before steel/non-tox was required. Back when we used #2 lead for geese.