I'd suspect that Federal 00 Tac. with FliteControl would easily make up for less velocity with the much tighter pattern.
The Wad controls the pattern, since the shot doesn't release until the wad has gone done range a bit before the rear "fins" open up and the shot keeps going. That's different from standard buck wads with their petals that immediately peel back and release the shot at the muzzle.
My tests:
10yds: there is no pattern. Just one big hole
15yds: about a 4" pattern
25yds: last tests showed patterns about 7X9 inches.
No pattern difference between cyl. bore and mod.
Federal wanted a load to extend the range of all those LE cylinder bores out there. And they did it.
The difference at the muzzle between standard buck and LE low recoil is about 200 fps, but that doesn't translate to nearly as much difference out there at 25 yds. or so. And don't forget that besides more recoil, you get noticeably bigger patterns with full power loads--even compared to low recoil ammo without the FliteControl.
Incidentally, Hornady TAP also uses the same FliteControl wad, but has lead shot rather than Federal's plated.
I'd use low recoil tactical for protection against feral man (borrowed that from Ayoob
), on zombies, Calif. Black Tail, other medium sized game, and similar critters. Might prefer slugs for hogs and bears, but wouldn't feel inadequately armed up real close with low recoil buck. So you trade velocity for less recoil to facilitate faster followup shots and tighter patterns.
For HD, I don't worry about FliteControl. I have Win. Ranger and Federal's orig. 00 buck before the FliteControl. That's tight enough indoors. When I travel outdoors, I like the tight stuff.
And of course, Federal and Hornady TAP with FliteControl are also manufacured in standard velocity designed for semi-auto shotguns. If you can find it, maybe that's what some of you are looking for if you're not sure about the low recoil stuff.