Paint your question is legitimate, but you have to understand the logic. Basically the HS and all the other lead substitutes are for longer ranges. Lead simply peters out at much over 50yds. The new stuff patterns like steel and outweighs lead so it has more energy and longer killing power. You wouldn't shoot a deer at 250yd with a 30/30 would you? When properly dialed in the topend loads and guns can kill effectively well in excess of 50 yards with occasional shots being 70+yds. I won't get into the question of ethics by some traditonalists but whereI hunt in large pastures and cropfields that extra distance DOES come in handy. 50yds is a loooooong way to shoot a bird in timber I'll agree. But 65-70+ is not out of the question in fields if you have worked on your gun/load/choke and know what it will do. I killed a bird (STONECOLD DEAD too!) at spot on 50yds with HeviShot in the open, mature hardwoods of southern MO. In the thickets of my home area of western TN such a shoot wouldn't be an option!

Sure if you are sworn to NEVER shoot over 45 yds then yeah DON'T waste your money with $100 tubes and $7 Nitro shells (there has been a BIIG price increase in the stuff this year!) I will not argue that. But with a red-dot and some new "technology" there are much farther capabilities for the long range turkey hunter than is possible with even the best lead loads. How many times have you had that, "Man he hung up out there at 55-65 yds?" It used to happen all the time too me. Many would just take the shot anyway and either scare thebird or worse, wound it but it flew away. Now you have the opportunity to take that "hang up" out of the equation. More odds in your favor.

I am sure you guys will get onto me now for saying someone can take a turkey well over 50 yds, but I am not here to defend or disprove the question of such. Just answering why we will pay for extra performance.

Tools of the trade...
RA