Since the 1991 ban of lead shot for waterfowl hunting, hunters have faced a quandary that, with each passing season, only becomes more perplexing. Initially, the differences between compliant shotshells were minute. The first steel loads were all marginally effective and similarly priced. But, as companies introduced ever-more-exotic pellet recipes-along with advancements in wad and propellant design and loading techniques, which further increased price, effectiveness and reliability-the disparity between high-end and economical nontoxic loads grew immensely. Today, waterfowl hunters typically find themselves asking, "Is enhanced performance worth the price?"

Hunters subject to budget constraints typically opt for inexpensive steel loads that, while adequate, sacrifice effective range. Meanwhile, others select non-toxic shotshells offering performance rivaling, if not surpassing, those containing lead shot, but often at a cost exceeding $4 per shell. A shotshell offering a blend of good downrange performance and reasonable price has been absent from the marketplace. Federal's Black Cloud was conceived to address that void.

Unlike traditional steel loads, the entire shotcharge of which is regular, round shot, Black Cloud has a 60/40 mixture of standard steel and Federal's new FlightStopper (FS) steel pellets. The stamped, oblong FS pellets have a raised, circumscribing ring and are designed to cut and tear, rather than simply penetrate, creating larger wound channels and dispersing additional energy. Whereas a standard No. 2 steel pellet measures 0.152", FS pellets of the same size designation are 0.156"(H)x 0.177"(W). The FS pellets are situated to the rear of the shotcup because Federal found the loads patterned best in that configuration.

Black Cloud features a modified version of Federal's FlightControl wad. Unlike traditional wads, which have several petals that fold rearward after exiting the muzzle to slow the wad, thereby allowing separation from the shot column, the front half of the FlightControl's shotcup is solid; however, there are three flaps situated toward the rear of the shotcup to aid in slowing the wad. Six petals, which form from cuts in the wad's rear portion, expand to optimize the in-bore seal, as well as further slow the wad after exiting the muzzle. The FlightControl's unique, rearward-braking design keeps the wad with the shot longer, resulting in tighter patterns.