Federal Premium's New Black Cloud Load Now Good for Ported Chokes

by
posted on January 10, 2017
** 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. **
federal_premium_black_cloud_ported_f.jpg

Black Cloud has been Federal Premium's headlining waterfowl load for more than a decade, and it's won over its fair share of the wingshooters. But it has also always come with the caveat that it can't be use if your shotgun sports a ported choke tube, which have been increasingly common aftermarket accessories. Those days are over. For 2017, Federal is rolling out a new edition of Black Cloud that's ported choke safe, courtesy of the new FliteControl FLEX wad.

The wad's redesigned rear-deploying petals and side-mounted vents stimulate the payload in each Black Cloud shell, creating separation from the wad at the ideal moment for dense patterns. Previous iterations of the FliteControl wad could, in rare cases, get hung up in a ported choke—but that's no longer an issue. Feel free to choke your gun however you'd like.

Features include:

• Rear-opening FliteControl FLEX wad provides the tightest patterns possible through both ported and standard chokes
• Payload of 40 percent FliteStopper steel pellets and 60 percent Premium® steel for dense patterns and larger wound channels
• Catalyst lead-free primer and clean-burning, temperature-stable propellant drastically reduce residue
• Black nickel head inhibits corrosion
• Sealed crimp defeats moisture in extreme conditions

Federal is offering its new Black Cloud loads at the following prices:

For more information, go to FederalPremium.com.

Latest

W H2026 04 F Hog Texas Graves 425888
W H2026 04 F Hog Texas Graves 425888

Texas, Hogs and Thermals

Follow along as Brian McCombie indulges in his favorite trio: Texas, hogs and thermals.

New for 2026: Real Avid AR-15/AR-10 Master Collections

Real Avid has taken its AR-15 and AR-10 tooling and maintenance products and bundled them into anew Master Collections series, providing AR-platform fans with one-stop solutions to meet their specific AR needs.

Turkey Decoys All Season Long

Opening day of turkey season was rainy and cold. However, thanks to scouting and trail cameras, Scott Haugen had a plan. Matter of fact, from the first day to the last, Scott has a way to set the decoys to bring the birds in. Curious? Read on for some great strategies.

New for 2026: Hornady .223 WSSM and .243 WSSM Superformance Varmint

Hornady has announced the availability of .223 WSSM 55-grain V-Max and .243 WSSM 75-grain V-Max loads in the Superformance Varmint line.

#SundayGunday: Benelli M4 EXT

On this week's #SundayGunday, we’re checking out a true stalwart of the firearms world, the Benelli M4. Long held in high regard by concerned citizens looking for a pedigreed self-defense shotgun, quite a few have been plugged to reduce capacity, and used in the turkey woods over the years, as a true multi-purpose scattergun. Why? Well, as it turns out, there is very little that separates a good defensive shotgun from a good turkey gun. Learn more about it in this exclusive video.

Roundup: Turkey Guns & Gear

Check out our roundup of the best new turkey guns and gear in 2026.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.