Longbeard XR performance
 

Hi All,

Has anyone found better performance - with more payload hitting the target downrange - with LARGER shot size?

I usually use #6 but inadvertently picked up a box of #5 shot this spring, which I blame on my aging eyes. Serendipity at work - after running a test between #5 and #6, I'll be damned but the #5 drastically outperforms the #6. I'm getting a better pattern with no holes larger than 2", more hits and much higher percentage (almost 55% in an 8x11 target) of the #5 payload at 40 yards.

It's also a bit bizarre, largely because I've always used Winchester ammo in this gun and the pattern has always been slightly better when the barrel is a little dirty. I can honestly say that the #5 really love a clean barrel and performance tanks quickly with a dirty barrel. So I've actually switched from using #6 Longbeard in a dirty barrel to #5 Longbeard in a clean barrel - and actually seeing MORE pellets downrange. I never thought I would see more hits with #5 than #6 at 40 yards...

Considering I've run almost every commercial turkey load made since 2000 through that barrel (including those Hornady loads that should be outlawed) - I'm hypothesizing this new resin technology by Winchester really has changed the game.

I am using #5 also and love them.

I'm using that load in #4's and finding excellent results as well. But my gun seems to prefer 4's in about any loading.

The Longbeard XR shells have produced BY FAR the best pattern ever given by my Mossberg 835. They have also dropped at least 3 gobblers at 42 yards (without even flopping on a couple). I've been using the 3 1/2" #5's but bought a box of 3" #6's to test. Haven't done that yet ...

For alot of years I used #6.
Then patterned #4s for just that reason. More whallop and hopefully extend my range.
For your answer, YES I did get a good pattern. It gave me 5 more yards if I need it.

#5's
 

I use the 1 7/8 oz load and use a Jebs headhunter .655 choke, it throws awesome patterns

Using #6 and it has been excellent for me.

JW - if you haven't already, you might want to test #5 shot, you may find an even better happy medium...

I do use Winchester #5s in my 20 ga. 35 yard range if needed.
But will stick with Winchester #4 in my 12.

Don't need to screw with what works!

Besides....
All I need is a round that patterns well less than 20 yards. My current yard average for all the birds I have harvested is 22!.

20 or less is the way I hunt. My preference only.

JW

As most have probably already read I had my first problem with them this past weekend. The primers were inserted a little to deep from what I can tell which seems like a quality control issue. I do however plan on still using these as the patters they seem to throw blow everything out of the water. If the problem happens again though I will probably be rethinking that lol

The first several boxes of Hevi-13 had issues as well. The buffering would leak out of the bottom which was never sealed properly or at all. I sent them all back and they sent me replacements but one would think that for the price of them you shouldn't have those kind of issues. I can't see any advantage of the LB over the Hevi's in my guns. Nothing against the LB but I'll probably never switch to them due to my stock of Hevi. I found a gun shop that had gone under and the guy who got all the inventory sold me about 30 boxes for $14 each. Should do me a couple years :)) Of course, retirement is only 6 years away lol...

I just stuffed a Carlson's XR choke tube in the muzzle of my boom-stick and picked up 4 boxes of XR #4 on an in-store "managers special". They were out of 3" #5 & #6, and all the 3 1/2" stuff.
I'm set for a while...and I even have a 1 box left of Win Supreme.

:sign0016: