Is this years winchester supreme elite shell (xr) a different load from last years xtended range? Last year I was throwing 10-15 hits of #6in the head and neck out to 55 yards with a Kick's .665. This year i tried the new shell and got 4 hits in the head at 40, i have heard that the shell has been changed, and it is definately shooting differently.

It is possible they might have changed the recipe for this years shells. Did you shoot this years loads several times and get the poor results or just fire one round and think it should be the same as previous year because they are supposed to be the same. Might be worth going back to patterning again to get the results you're looking for. My 2 cents.

I spent some time on the NWTF website. There seems to be a consensus that the new Win. X-range shells have slipped and are notthe sameconsistant hitters as the previous version. Quite a few guys are reporting disappointing results compared to last year's version.

I looked at the nwtf message board and they seemed to be getting better patterns with a .670, so i tried my xxfull .670 mossberg choke and it performed a little better, 12 in the head, 4-5 kill shots. But for a $4 dollar shell i am just not impressed. In comparison I ran a .50 cent Remington Nitro through the same choke and it put 10 in the brain and spine.

I am glad I bought 4 boxes of 3 1/2 #5's last year....

I patterned my 835 last weekend with X-tended range 3.5 number 5 through a kick's gobblin thunder .680 choke.
264 pellets in a 10 inch circle at 20 yards---- 34 pelletsin a 3 inch circle at 20 yards.
167 pellets ina 10 inch circle at 40 yards---- 24 pellets in a 3 inch circle at 40 yards.
I just counted the hit about ten minutes ago, I will get pictures posted sometime this week. I think these numbers are consistent with last years. I will stress one thing, It took me one box of the XR to get it dialed in, this was after shooting about 20 2 3/4 inch shells to find my point of impact. I know that the 3.5 kick like crazy and it is easy to flinch and pull etc. I always try to squeeze through the trigger,and remember to breath.Get an arm pad if you have too. I use a shooters bag to secure my gun.
My father in law shoots remington Hevy shot through his 870 and gets good results with a jellyhead.He saysmy gun/ammo combohas a great uniformed pattern, one of the best he has ever seen, now he talks about getting a 935!

I'm done with Winchester shells. I had only 3 of my Winchester Supremes #6(lead) left from previous years and couldn't find them anywhere in my area. So I decided it was time to find a new shell and head out to pattern them. While out shooting the other shells I thought I'd pattern one of the Winchester just for the heck of it. Pulled the the trigger, CLICK. DUD!!! Tried number 2, CLICK, DUD!! Number 3 fired, pattern was ok at 30yds. The shells were probably4 years old never been dropped in water, maybe out in the rain a few times in my vest.No reason for me to believe they wouldn't fire. I can't imagine if that would of happened in the field. After that experience I'll be buying new shells every other year or so.