We were in So. Mn for Thanksgiving and to hunt my uncle's land Fri & Sat. Saw a lot of birds. About 25-30 on Fri at one time. They were flying everywhere. Sat. we went back to the same spot and here's where my question comes in. A rooster got up in front of me, about 10 yards or so, good clean hit. I thought my shorthair was right on him, but no. Looked for at least 30 minutes and could not find him. Gave up and went back to hunting. Another rooster got up shot him and he went down in a ditch. Another good solid hit. Walked over to the edge of the ditch and the bird was at the bottom and still trying to run away. Didn't make it tho. Got him and went back to hunting. About 30 minutes later another rooster got up, nailed him with what I thought was a clean kill, nope, he hit the ground and took off running across a corn field. Gone. Okay, I'm using Fiocchi 5 shot 1-3/8 oz 2 3/4 shells in a 12 gauge O/U with modified choke. When I get home and go to clean our guns I notice a lot of unburned powder in the barrels. Never have seen this before. Could this be part of the problem of the birds not being dead? I've used Fiocchi shells before on quail and didn't have this problem. What do you guys think?

What iIhave been told is that some powders don't work as well in lower temperatures. If i recall correctly i think it's more common with European loads. Not sure where the Fiocchi's are made. This is just what I've heard so I can't confirm it personally but there may be something to it.

Fiocchi is made in Ozark Mo. About 25 miles south of me. But, that isn't the reason I bought them. I'll probably stick with Federal or Remington now.

I'd try a little bigger shot, I use 4 shot as the smallest. some times 2 shot. Even with 4 shot, if you wing them, they will run. The key is to run to the spot you dropped them and look for moving grass, and if you have a dog, better yet. We had one bird go down in the grass, took off running into the plowed field and ran about a half mile. Another hunter in our party ended up miraculously finding them. Them roosters are some tough birds!

I don't think the shells are at fault unless you got into a bad batch for some reason. Fiocchi's are good quality shells. I swear by them. I use the 1 3/8 oz. #5's late season and think they are great. You may want to pattern your gun. They may not pattern the way you think with the mod choke.

You also may have been hitting the back end of the bird or been off by a little. I've had solid shots that weren't so solid after I cleaned the bird and saw where the hits were.

Thats a good point gspman. But can you tell me why all the unburned powder in the barrel? The first bird I shot was dead when it hit the ground. It's the other 3 and the powder situation I'm concerned with.

I agree! Although I think I am switching to all steel after I go through my remaining boxes of 5 shot Fiocchi lead. I do like the shells though. I know we have had the same exact situation you describe on a bird that's been shot by two people yet still runs away. The particular one I remember was a fairly close shot but was flying strait out away from us....about eye level maybe a little lower.

As far as the unburned powder...did you actually pull this stuff out of the barrel and try lighting it? Just curious how you know it's gun powder and not residue left over from the shot. I know there's always a bunch of stuff in the barrel no matter what shells I shoot.....I guess this stuff could be mistaken for gun powder. But...maybe your seeing something I have not.

I guess I wouldn't worry about residue in the barrel. I don't think it's unburned powder. Lots of brands do this.

I also have noticed a lot of some kind of residue in the barrel after just a few rounds. But they seem to knock the down, will have to pay attention to temp. thing.

My dad uses 6's and loves it only shells he uses

I don't think it's unburned powder. I have noticed in the past that fiocchi shells shoot very dirty. They work fine. Just very dirty. I don't know why.

Koonie, now I was just about to say the complete opposite. It is all I shoot for Grouse and I feel they have been the cleanest shell I have put thru my guns. I have never had a problem with them.

I love them, it is all I shoot and will continue to do so until we can no longer shoot lead. That day is not to far off I believe.

I shoot alot of Fiocchi #5's in 16 ga. Love the shells, no fouling or performance issues. That load in a modified choke over a pointer should be no problem. Roosters are easy to knock down but but tuff to kill. A lab would have helped with the cripples.

I would be upset with the dog not the load... Where was your shorthair while all of this was going on? My shorthairs would kill to have a runner try to make it across a corn field!

I've never shot Fiocchi loads, so I can't add my two bits about them.

I love Fioccho shells. Work well in cold or warm weather for me.