Longbeard XR performance
04-18-2018, 07:28 AM
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SW Michigan
Posts: 1,906
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.
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.
04-25-2018, 11:01 AM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Harford Co Maryland USA
Posts: 4,966
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 ...
04-26-2018, 06:33 AM
#8
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SW Michigan
Posts: 1,906
JW - if you haven't already, you might want to test #5 shot, you may find an even better happy medium...
Last edited by Strut&Rut; 04-26-2018 at 06:35 AM.
04-26-2018, 01:02 PM
#9
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 7,436
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
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
