I've been shooting Apex for years but as is well known it is getting pretty expensive. The Fiocci and Federal are quite a bit cheaper. Can people comment on their experiences with these two loads in 20 gauge, 3 inch, #9 TSS?
Thank You!
I can't speak for the Fiocci loads but the Federal seems to be just as good as the Apex loads. My buddy and I both hunt with a Mossberg 500. I use Apex and he uses Federal..20 gauge #9
I shot the 20 gauge Federal TSS #9s for several years and it killed everything that I shot at. Also had the same results with the Federal Heavyweight #8s before I switched over the TSS. I had great solid patterns that were effective out to the distances that I felt comfortable shooting.
Federals won't throw the same numbers as Apex in most guns, but it's more than sufficient for shooting turkeys 40 and in.
Federal 9's in my 870 youth 20g with tightwad choke is hard to beat
Ive shot both and both are phenomenal at killing distances
Quote from: CALLM2U on February 15, 2026, 01:09:23 PMFederals won't throw the same numbers as Apex in most guns, but it's more than sufficient for shooting turkeys 40 and in.
Agree with this comment and have shot both 20-ga and .410 Federal #9 with great success!
The browning tss is also worth a look. I haven't bought any in several years but they used to be the cheapest and outshot the federal out of all my 410's
For another option, Federal loads a reduced recoil 20 gauge load with 1 1/8 ounce of 9s. It patterns extremely well in my daughters Mossberg 510 and can still be found "cheapish" at several retailers.
Quote from: squidd on February 15, 2026, 07:44:16 PMQuote from: CALLM2U on February 15, 2026, 01:09:23 PMFederals won't throw the same numbers as Apex in most guns, but it's more than sufficient for shooting turkeys 40 and in.
Agree with this comment and have shot both 20-ga and .410 Federal #9 with great success!
Just curious, did you compare patterns with both or are you assuming the pattern will be a little less impressive being that the Federal has 1/8 oz less shot than the Apex?
Thank You!
Quote from: BDeal on February 16, 2026, 09:38:42 AMQuote from: squidd on February 15, 2026, 07:44:16 PMQuote from: CALLM2U on February 15, 2026, 01:09:23 PMFederals won't throw the same numbers as Apex in most guns, but it's more than sufficient for shooting turkeys 40 and in.
Agree with this comment and have shot both 20-ga and .410 Federal #9 with great success!
Just curious, did you compare patterns with both or are you assuming the pattern will be a little less impressive being that the Federal has 1/8 oz less shot than the Apex?
Thank You!
I've shot both brands in 20 and 410. Apex wins in both gauges with my guns. Looking at patterns of others, that seems to be the prevailing result of most.
Again, I have no concerns hunting with the Federals. They are more than enough to get the job done.
Quote from: CALLM2U on February 16, 2026, 09:47:37 AMQuote from: BDeal on February 16, 2026, 09:38:42 AMQuote from: squidd on February 15, 2026, 07:44:16 PMQuote from: CALLM2U on February 15, 2026, 01:09:23 PMFederals won't throw the same numbers as Apex in most guns, but it's more than sufficient for shooting turkeys 40 and in.
Agree with this comment and have shot both 20-ga and .410 Federal #9 with great success!
Just curious, did you compare patterns with both or are you assuming the pattern will be a little less impressive being that the Federal has 1/8 oz less shot than the Apex?
Thank You!
I've shot both brands in 20 and 410. Apex wins in both gauges with my guns. Looking at patterns of others, that seems to be the prevailing result of most.
Again, I have no concerns hunting with the Federals. They are more than enough to get the job done.
X2 on the Federals. A little less shot, but the pattern makes up in density/consistency.
Quote from: BDeal on February 16, 2026, 09:38:42 AMQuote from: squidd on February 15, 2026, 07:44:16 PMQuote from: CALLM2U on February 15, 2026, 01:09:23 PMFederals won't throw the same numbers as Apex in most guns, but it's more than sufficient for shooting turkeys 40 and in.
Agree with this comment and have shot both 20-ga and .410 Federal #9 with great success!
Just curious, did you compare patterns with both or are you assuming the pattern will be a little less impressive being that the Federal has 1/8 oz less shot than the Apex?
Thank You!
I should have stopped my quote response with Federal as I have not patterned Apex.
Of what I have patterned, Federal #9s have done the best.
In my 20, the Apex out shot the Federal by a substantial margin. Better, more even pattern as well as much higher numbers in the 10".
Those are the only two TSS I've patterned.