I'm waiting on my sights to be delivered for my Winchester model 1300. Once their in, I'm going to begin patterning my gun. After much deliberation and research, I want to try the Hevi-13's in either #5 or #6 shot. I'll probably buy a few cheaper brands to test as well to see how they pattern with my gun. What are your guys thoughts and experiences with shells that work well in your guns?

a lot of these new turkey loads are so freaking expensive its amazing. I know a lot of guys swear by some of the more expensive rounds and i'm sure they are great, but you get a bird inside of 40 yards you can kill them awful dead with some of the cheaper shells. I use the Winchester Supremes and have for years, very effective and fairly inexpensive. Good luck, patterning, let us know what you decide to go with and why!

i have the same gun and i use winchester AA magnums in 3"#4s they shoot awesome out of the gun

I won't use anything but the Hevi-shot.I did my own field testing.It'll blow a hole in a piece of tin at 40yds. Copper-plated lead will bounce off.I'm convinced. Lead will work, but Hevi-shot will deliver better penetration at distance.

im still shooting 2 3/4" i always shoot cheaper shells. my buddy went out and bought all the "best" one year.
i put down my bird and his after he missed twice.

Still a fan of Winchester Supremes #4 in 3 inch even though I do have a 3.5" gun. Won't change - no need as I don't take shots much over 35 yards anyhow.

Oh and now I am on a fixed income -

JW

I thought I'd never switch to the expensive stuff, but I just wasn't happy with the patterns I was getting from regular loads. I tried hevi-13's and am very happy with the patterns. I'm still not blowing holes in targets out to 40 yards, but I think I counted 160 or so which is good enough for me. #6's, 3 1/2". Get sighted in with cheaper stuff, then check out one shot with the Hevi-13s. I have had birds take off flying after being shot that would have dropped like a sack of potatoes had I used hevi shot. Thats all I'll use now.

Thanks for the advice!! What do you guys consider an "acceptable" pattern? How do you guys pattern your guns?

I'm with JW. I still shoot the 3" Winchester Supreme #5's. Dropped birds like a rock at 45 paces. No need to change that!

But with the Hevi's, IF they pattern in your gun, you can stretch that 45 to 60. If you don't want more range, keep shooting the other stuff. Some people really do like to watch the birds a little longer and closer up.