ORIGINAL: 8mm/06
Thanks all for the feedback.... I do appreciate this greatly as I am not going to spend big bucks when I'm just starting out. I am a newbie and your advice is helpful. $20-$40 is affordable to me right now and your info is quite helpful. Thanks!
Let's take this a step further. Say you have decided you want to use #5 or #6 shot. You don't want to buy a lot of chokes so you decide to buy a Cabelas® Extra Full (.665") or a Super Full (.660"). OK you get your ONE CHOKE. Now you start getting some ammo, 12GA - 3" Magnums: Federal®, Winchester® Supreme™, Remington®, Nitros®, Remington® Duplex®, & maybe some Hevi•Shot™. I think it's better to try many different kinds of ammo IN ONE CHOKE, than one kind of ammo in MANY CHOKES. The ammo that doesn't work so well can be used to shoot other things.
Now if it were me I would pattern as many different loads of #5 shot (lead) through the gun that I could afford. Because Hevi•SHOT® hits harder & with more wallop than lead I'd try #6 shot for my one, heavier than lead, load. Through all of this testing you'll find a load of #5 lead that is better than all others. Additionally you'll determine how well Hevi•Shot performs.
I posted to another newsgroup about my testingof 20GA loads & chokes a couple of years ago; maybe it will be of use to you: http://thehunterslife.com/forums/showthread.php?p=40552#post40552Let me know what you think.