Ammo Review: Federal Premium Third Degree Turkey 12 gauge shotshells

By Kristin Alberts

Federal Premium Third Degree Turkey 12 gauge shotshells resting on a prize bird. (Photo: Kristin Alberts)
Before we go full-on into a debate regarding whether you need specialty ammo for taking toms or can use grampa’s paper shells, let’s at least take a long look at one of the major players in the market: Federal’s Third Degree Turkey.  With three layers of shot types in a game-changing wad design, is this the ammo you can’t afford to do without, or just the ammo you plain can’t afford?  Guns.com took the third degree out for late fall gobblers so you’ll be ready come spring.
What is 3rd Degree
Detail of shell and spent hull for Federal Premium Third Degree Turkey ammo. (Photo: Kristin Alberts)
The science behind Federal Premium’s 3rd Degree turkey ammo is perhaps the most intriguing of all the specialty loads currently on the market, including competitors from Winchester and Hornady.  While others focus on achieving the tightest patterns at the longest ranges, Federal aims to dominate at all distances by packing three shot sizes and spread-patterns in one innovative package.
Each shell contains, essentially and per the name, three degrees or layers of shot and capability.  Forty percent of the shot is #7

Source: Guns.com