hevi shot vs. lead shot
#12
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location:
Posts: 175
RE: hevi shot vs. lead shot
ORIGINAL: Champlain Islander
I have a Benelli SBE with3 different turkey chokes. I tried federal 3 1/2" 5 shot, the equivalent in Winchester and always got better patterns with the Winchester. I tried Rem. hevi shot and even got a special choke for the load and didn't get that good a pattern. Last year I tried the newer federal flight control high velocity 3 1/2" no. 5 shot and got the best patterning with it. Consistent patterning is the most important to me. Harder hitting Hevi Shot doesn't work for me if the pattern isn't tight.
I have a Benelli SBE with3 different turkey chokes. I tried federal 3 1/2" 5 shot, the equivalent in Winchester and always got better patterns with the Winchester. I tried Rem. hevi shot and even got a special choke for the load and didn't get that good a pattern. Last year I tried the newer federal flight control high velocity 3 1/2" no. 5 shot and got the best patterning with it. Consistent patterning is the most important to me. Harder hitting Hevi Shot doesn't work for me if the pattern isn't tight.
#13
RE: hevi shot vs. lead shot
I would go with whatever patterns best out of your gun. Try and get a good, dense pattern that doesn't have any holes. Either shot will do the job. If price isn't a factor in your buying decision, then the hevi-shot might be the best, assuming it patterns good out of your gun / choke combo.
#14
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Pa
Posts: 4,647
RE: hevi shot vs. lead shot
I will shoot what ever patterns the best in my gun at 40-45 yards... If it Hevi shot then thats what I'll hunt with... If it copper plated lead then thats what I'll hunt withFor me right now my 870 SPT shoots 3.5" Win HV #4's the best... Took a Longbeard at 56 paces 2 springs ago
#15
RE: hevi shot vs. lead shot
ORIGINAL: barry1me
which choke were you using with the federal? is your gun the SBE1 or 2?
which choke were you using with the federal? is your gun the SBE1 or 2?
#16
RE: hevi shot vs. lead shot
I know that I have to pattern my guns with different loads and to use what works best and to learn my limitations and stick to them, but. My only choiceis a Mossberg 500 20 gauge with a modified choke and a Savage 20 gauge single shot with a full choke. Whichever gun performs the best I'll still have range limitations over the average turkey hunter, I'm thinking probably about 30 yards max. With this in mind what is the smallest pellet size that will remain effective at 30 yards. I'm thinking that number 6 shot will get the kob done but could you use 7 1/2 hevi-shot? If anyone else uses a 20 gauge I'd like to hear your thoughts.
#17
Fork Horn
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: south Ark
Posts: 371
RE: hevi shot vs. lead shot
I agree with the patterning thing. That's #1, along with knowing your gun's effective range. The Hevi-shot patterns far better in my gun--a Remington 870 Supermag with an Undertaker choke.
Hevi-shot will out-penetrate lead every time in any gun. If the pattern's equal---Hevi-shot is what you need.
Having said that----I've killed more turkeys with 2 3/4 #6 lead shot than any other shell.
Hevi-shot will out-penetrate lead every time in any gun. If the pattern's equal---Hevi-shot is what you need.
Having said that----I've killed more turkeys with 2 3/4 #6 lead shot than any other shell.
#18
RE: hevi shot vs. lead shot
I haven't tried a choke made for the heavy shot but in all my Remingtons my 3.5" heavy shot hevi-13 patterned good, but my 3" Federal flight controls blew it away. This year I am gonna try the heavy shot again in my Stoeger Coach gun with a dead coyote choke and some others and see if the results are the same. Just gotta get a box of 3" heavy 13
#19
RE: hevi shot vs. lead shot
Hevi shot all the way. Haven't tried the Win. xtend, but I hear they do great. Thought about trying the new Rem. wingmaster. It's the new hevi shot from Rem. Of course all of the hevi shot type loads are going to cost a pretty penny since the price of ammo has increased by 15 to 30% in the past few months.
#20
Spike
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 90
RE: hevi shot vs. lead shot
OK Centaur1, now we have a much more specific question. If limited to a 20 ga. gun in full or modified fixed choke, is hevi-shot necessary or even desireable? Why not start a new thread and we'll gnaw on that one for a while.