If you want the very best possible patterns and pellet counts, the Federals are better than LBXR or any other lead offerings, but they pale in comparison to more custom/small batch loads available now. Federals can work with the right choke, but is like using a Hawk saddle vs a TX5. They both work, but the TX5 is better in any way you want to compare them except it is not cheap. In the case of Federals, they have increased their prices so much that you actually pay more for poorer performance these days.
Hmm…I’ll have to check into that once my 3 remaining federal shells are gone. I did try the herter’s 20 gauge offering yesterday. Pic is at 20 steps. I was impressed at the price and the pattern. Steven’s 301 with factory choke.