mellors Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 On 30/07/2024 at 20:01, Cawdor118 said: Aha! Alas, now we know its a UK loading issue! Looks like 20 g steel are a problem now i opened a new slab and two boxes had 4 like this . As I'd said previously cases and base wads were definitely different from my last purchase although no issues . All boxes say Italy on them. They were a good cartridge till now. Unfortunately i have already ordered more and due soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyH Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 Could Fiocchi's quality control be failing?? Im sure if everyone contacted Fiocchi with the same problems, they should surely investigate the problem? I have had about 6 carts now that are 'Mishaped', but still able to shoot just fine? Maybe it could be a sign to move onto a different manufacturer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellors Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 48 minutes ago, BobbyH said: Could Fiocchi's quality control be failing?? Im sure if everyone contacted Fiocchi with the same problems, they should surely investigate the problem? I have had about 6 carts now that are 'Mishaped', but still able to shoot just fine? Maybe it could be a sign to move onto a different manufacturer? I'll be emailing fiocchi this morning. Shame they are cracking pigeon cartridge but now definitely a different case and base wad. If lyvale are doing them then i think I'll move on. I stripped the other three and powder weights were consistent . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyH Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 Just now, mellors said: I'll be emailing fiocchi this morning. Shame they are cracking pigeon cartridge but now definitely a different case and base wad. If lyvale are doing them then i think I'll move on. I stripped the other three and powder weights were consistent . Im never one to complain, im always the one that keeps quiet. But ill go through my 100 or so Fblu's, segregate the mis-shapen ones and also send it off to Fiocchi! What is the email address to send it to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cawdor118 Posted August 8 Author Report Share Posted August 8 1 hour ago, BobbyH said: Could Fiocchi's quality control be failing?? Im sure if everyone contacted Fiocchi with the same problems, they should surely investigate the problem? I have had about 6 carts now that are 'Mishaped', but still able to shoot just fine? Maybe it could be a sign to move onto a different manufacturer? If you are on Face-ache, the problems have been reported extensively on Fiocchi UKs page. Disgustingly, they "like 👍🏻" all the positive comments on FBlacks and completely ignore the negative / constructive criticism they get. Fiocchi UK are entirely disinterested. I wonder if Fiocchi Italy are happy with their name being degraded through poor customer satisfaction on UK products. 1 hour ago, mellors said: Looks like 20 g steel are a problem now i opened a new slab and two boxes had 4 like this . As I'd said previously cases and base wads were definitely different from my last purchase although no issues . All boxes say Italy on them. They were a good cartridge till now. Unfortunately i have already ordered more and due soon. I wouldnt bother telling them, they won't care... 1 hour ago, BobbyH said: Could Fiocchi's quality control be failing?? Im sure if everyone contacted Fiocchi with the same problems, they should surely investigate the problem? I have had about 6 carts now that are 'Mishaped', but still able to shoot just fine? Maybe it could be a sign to move onto a different manufacturer? 7 minutes ago, BobbyH said: Im never one to complain, im always the one that keeps quiet. But ill go through my 100 or so Fblu's, segregate the mis-shapen ones and also send it off to Fiocchi! What is the email address to send it to? I suspect it's the move to Lyalvale that's the problem. Honestly, I don't think they will even bother to reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellors Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 Maybe if enough of us who've had problems tell them maybe something will happen. No point moving on without a moan. Just sent a complaint to both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyH Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 46 minutes ago, mellors said: Maybe if enough of us who've had problems tell them maybe something will happen. No point moving on without a moan. Just sent a complaint to both. Keep us in the loop about this! I will be emailing them after i get home and get pics of my Fblu's! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 (edited) 2 hours ago, mellors said: I'll be emailing fiocchi this morning. Shame they are cracking pigeon cartridge but now definitely a different case and base wad. If lyvale are doing them then i think I'll move on. I stripped the other three and powder weights were consistent . If you mean Lyalvale in a roundabout way, don't expect a reply. I sent what was quite a complimentary email and asked a simple question. Nothing back in over a week. Should it be of interest to anyone - my young great-nephew asked and I couldn't answer him - the Lyalvale advertised velocity figures are for the muzzle. EDIT: Apologies, should have said that I phoned sales this morning to get the answer. Edited August 8 by wymberley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellors Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 (edited) 44 minutes ago, wymberley said: If you mean Lyalvale in a roundabout way, don't expect a reply. I sent what was quite a complimentary email and asked a simple question. Nothing back in over a week. Should it be of interest to anyone - my young great-nephew asked and I couldn't answer him - the Lyalvale advertised velocity figures are for the muzzle. I've phoned Lyvale awaiting a call back. Not out today it's raining so keep me busy keep phoning them back if they don't 👍 Edited August 8 by mellors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fellside Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 I’ve been here before with Express. It was a strange experience! I wont buy anything they make now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellors Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 9 minutes ago, Fellside said: I’ve been here before with Express. It was a strange experience! I wont buy anything they make now. Well I've had a talk to Lyvale. The lady there said they were aware of the F black situation and were dealing with it. She asked for photos of my 20 gauge which I'll send. Maybe they are doing something after all we'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellors Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 Just got this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 A good start........................ Will be interesting to see what they do about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cawdor118 Posted August 8 Author Report Share Posted August 8 29 minutes ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: A good start........................ Will be interesting to see what they do about it. Or what they are going to do about the slabs and slabs of poor QC items out there in circulation. Interestingly, we had yet another FBlack misfire last night in a Beretta. 25-30 now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyH Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 Even though Fiocchi supply’s the Olympics (I think, please correct me if I’m wrong), are they considered a novice or club level cartridge manufacturer? They seem to cheap to be a ‘competition level’ cartridge manufacturer? Or am I really talking out of my hoop? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poor Shot Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 1 hour ago, BobbyH said: Even though Fiocchi supply’s the Olympics (I think, please correct me if I’m wrong), are they considered a novice or club level cartridge manufacturer? They seem to cheap to be a ‘competition level’ cartridge manufacturer? Or am I really talking out of my hoop? Yes, with respect and kindness. Take a look at the spent cartridges in the bins of any open competition that took place this summer. At least 40%, if not more, will have been Fiocchi. The reason you don't see top level shots using Fiocchi is simply down to sponsorship. Most AAA class sporting shots with a half decent social media presence will be sponsored by Hull, Gamebore, B&P etc. They are paid to promote the brands and will be doing so at every possible opportunity. Even If competition rules state a particular cartridge is to be used, they'll still ensure that they're photographed with a box of their sponsored shells, thank their sponsor in social media posts etc. It's one thing the UK brands do well is ensuring that they are well marketed and well exposed. Max Tarr (a well known AAA class sporting shot) is sponsored by Lyalvale Express, Jonny Carter (TGS YouTube) by Hull, George Digweed by Gamebore and Richard Faulds by Eley for example. Being an Italian company it's no surprise that the majority of their sponsored shooters are Italy based. They do have one sponsored shooter in UK ****** *****. Personally I use the Fiocchi F3 range for all competition shooting. On par if not better than the Hull Pro range IME and about £40/1000 cheaper. Their F3 piston 8.5s are particularly good and I use them for 85% of targets on a sporting layout. Everything else gets the standard F3 7.5s. For practise I use the FBlue or Fblack range. Both are around £260/1000 at a local RFD and have never left me wanting. I can't speak for the quality issues experienced here. The only misfires I've ever had have been the old Fiocchi and Browing bottom firing pin combination. Those shells always then fired in the top barrel. Since I moved to Beretta I've not had a single issue in around 1.5k carts in 2 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyH Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 31 minutes ago, Poor Shot said: Yes, with respect and kindness. Take a look at the spent cartridges in the bins of any open competition that took place this summer. At least 40%, if not more, will have been Fiocchi. The reason you don't see top level shots using Fiocchi is simply down to sponsorship. Most AAA class sporting shots with a half decent social media presence will be sponsored by Hull, Gamebore, B&P etc. They are paid to promote the brands and will be doing so at every possible opportunity. Even If competition rules state a particular cartridge is to be used, they'll still ensure that they're photographed with a box of their sponsored shells, thank their sponsor in social media posts etc. It's one thing the UK brands do well is ensuring that they are well marketed and well exposed. Max Tarr (a well known AAA class sporting shot) is sponsored by Lyalvale Express, Jonny Carter (TGS YouTube) by Hull, George Digweed by Gamebore and Richard Faulds by Eley for example. Being an Italian company it's no surprise that the majority of their sponsored shooters are Italy based. They do have one sponsored shooter in UK ****** *****. Personally I use the Fiocchi F3 range for all competition shooting. On par if not better than the Hull Pro range IME and about £40/1000 cheaper. Their F3 piston 8.5s are particularly good and I use them for 85% of targets on a sporting layout. Everything else gets the standard F3 7.5s. For practise I use the FBlue or Fblack range. Both are around £260/1000 at a local RFD and have never left me wanting. I can't speak for the quality issues experienced here. The only misfires I've ever had have been the old Fiocchi and Browing bottom firing pin combination. Those shells always then fired in the top barrel. Since I moved to Beretta I've not had a single issue in around 1.5k carts in 2 months. Thats a very fair and detailed comment! Im quite impressionable, and I went to Fblus after being reccomended them, and I do like them, I shoot the 24gram 7.5s, and am yet to shoot the 28’s. After reading that, I would like to stick with Fiocchi as they are cheap, but I just was curious if they were a budget brand for a reason! Thankyou for your comment!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poor Shot Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 4 minutes ago, BobbyH said: Thats a very fair and detailed comment! Im quite impressionable, and I went to Fblus after being reccomended them, and I do like them, I shoot the 24gram 7.5s, and am yet to shoot the 28’s. After reading that, I would like to stick with Fiocchi as they are cheap, but I just was curious if they were a budget brand for a reason! Thankyou for your comment!! I would have thought the key is to find a cartridge that works for you in so far as they fit within your budget, are available locally and instill you with confidence when you use them. Fiocchi tick all three boxes for me. Some find them to be thumpy but I'm not that recoil sensitive and I like a good shove in the shoulder. It makes me feel that the cartridge works and is getting the job done. I shot the Pro One Challenge at Barbury yesterday and there were a lot of Fiocchi cases and boxes in the bins (I quite like to look through the bins during breakdowns and delays). Out of my squad of six shooters, four of them were using Fiocchis from TT1s to F3s and Official Rossas. Fblu 24gram 7.5s are a brilliant cartridge and I use them for most practice and coaching sessions. I've broken some surprisingly long targets with them when using them as a second barrel in FITASC shoots. Only issue is that they are plastic wad only so use is restricted to grounds that don't have wad restrictions. Fiocchi litespeeds are a good fibre alternative that perform well and don't break the bank. If available in your area, Cheddite Rapide 27g 7.5s are also a good alternative. A cheaper copy of the Hull superfast with almost identical performance characteristics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyH Posted August 18 Report Share Posted August 18 3 single Fblu’s out of 3 box’s, 2 on left look dented and 1 on the right has a cracked case. i will still shoot these with no issues or worries, but I have had a lot of these now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbrowning2 Posted August 18 Report Share Posted August 18 On 08/08/2024 at 19:32, BobbyH said: Even though Fiocchi supply’s the Olympics (I think, please correct me if I’m wrong), are they considered a novice or club level cartridge manufacturer? They seem to cheap to be a ‘competition level’ cartridge manufacturer? Or am I really talking out of my hoop? visit Fiocchi U.K. facebook and you will see they are far from just a novice or club level cartridge manufacturer, like all cartridge manufacturers they make for all needs at various price points. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted August 18 Report Share Posted August 18 Always viewed Fiocchi as the low end of Italian cartridges,for decades they were a cheap cartridge,SMI,Martignoni,RC,Clever,B&P were all better quality. Marketing can change perception...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted August 19 Report Share Posted August 19 17 hours ago, BobbyH said: 3 single Fblu’s out of 3 box’s, 2 on left look dented and 1 on the right has a cracked case. i will still shoot these with no issues or worries, but I have had a lot of these now That is a quality control and shooter confidence issue right there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cawdor118 Posted August 19 Author Report Share Posted August 19 16 minutes ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: That is a quality control and shooter confidence issue right there. The amazing thing is Fiocchi UK don't care. On Facebook they regularly reply to good comments about Fiocchi Products but totally ignore the bad issues. What sort of way is that to run a business based on reputation alone? 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charliedog Posted August 19 Report Share Posted August 19 Ive shot thousands of F Blacks without any quality concerns, good price point, they hit hard but a little bit thumpy in my opinion, saying that, almost without fail, if a guy in front has a cartridge misfire, its a Fiocchi. I only stopped using them as I found them far dirtier than other brands in my barrels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyH Posted August 19 Report Share Posted August 19 So….i have sat down at checked a brand new slab of FBlu’s,l and taken some stats I counted 45 that were not crimped with consistency, too far down or not enough but not enough to really be concerned about. 5 were obviously defects as per below. so, only 2% of the 250 carts were noticed as potentially defective. Is this enough to warrant a move to a different brand such as Eley Selects for example? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.