Federal Prairie Storm

by
posted on September 30, 2010
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
2010930164413-201092813404-prairiestorm_f[1].jpg

In 2007, Federal changed the rules with steel shot when the company introduced Black Cloud ammo. The concept was to fix the pattern problems that are associated with steel shot. Steel tends to clump in the middle and leave the outer fringes of the pattern skimpy. So the Federal engineers designed a new pellet with a belt they call “FlightStopper” (FS). Most people describe the pellet as looking like the planet Saturn. The different aerodynamics of this pellet design caused it to fly differently than normal steel pellets and to migrate out in the pattern to fill the holes in the edges.

An unexpected side effect was the increased killing power of these new pellets. It became apparent to hunters, including myself, that Black Cloud killed waterfowl much better and faster than conventional steel. Sure, some of that was due to better patterns, but most of it was because of the superior terminal performance of the new belted pellets.

So, of course, Federal started looking at other areas where this technology could be applied. The result is this year’s introduction of Prairie Storm upland game ammo.

Prairie Storm uses lead pellets, but with a twist. Federal added belted lead pellets they are calling Flightstopper Lead. The buffered shot is 70 percent copper-plated lead shot and 30 percent nickel-plated FS Lead belted pellets. They put these in the tried and true, rear-braking FlightControl wad that was developed for turkey hunting, which has migrated to waterfowl and now upland ammo as well. This solid wad does not have slits in the cup and it is not designed to open up like a conventional wad. Instead it has “wings” that pop out in the rear once the wad is free from the shotgun barrel. These wings create drag and pull the wad back away from the shot column. The result is much tighter and more consistent downrange patterns. “We realize that many pheasants are shot at 15 or 20 yards as well as at long range,” Federal’s Tim Brandt told me. “So we wanted to ensure that the patterns with Prairie Storm ammo were not any tighter up close than conventional shotshell ammo. But at the same time, we wanted to maintain pattern density for longer-range shots as well. By using this mix of shot we achieved that goal. We found that 11/4 ounces of No. 4 shot would put 75 percent of the pattern in a 30-inch circle at 40 yards with a modified choke. So you don’t have to switch to a tighter choke in the late season when the birds are getting skittish, which can make you miss those close birds.”

The concept is that you will have even, edge-to-edge patterns that open early, but maintain pattern density for longer range. When that is coupled with the added terminal performance of the new nickel-plated, FS Lead pellets, the result is a deadly upland shotshell load. While the target market is pheasant hunting, I can see how this load will work well for a wide range of upland hunting for the larger bird species. There is a decided lack of pheasants in Vermont where I live, but I am planning to put Prairie Storm ammo to use for late-season grouse in the fall, and next winter while hunting snowshoe hares with dogs.

Latest

Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1
Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1

Rifleman Review: Taurus Expedition

Taurus entered the bolt-action rifle market with its Expedition, a Remington 700-pattern design that's built to be versatile and affordable.

New For 2025: Charter Arms Pathfinder II

Charter Arms updated one of the oldest models in its lineup with the new Pathfinder II, which features a lightweight 7075 aluminum frame, making it more well-balanced and easier to carry.

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.