I get excellent patterns with minein anyWinchester load, 20-30 hits in the head/neck with either 4's or 6's. It does even better with Win. x-tended range. It won't pattern consistantly with 5's, but that could be my gun.Frankly 9 pellets in the kill zone at 45 yd with lead is not bad. I wouldn't hesitate to take the shot if I could count on that result.