Home Forums Birds & Dogs Turkey Hunting Winchester Long Beard XR

Is the real deal. I spend a bunch of time patterning my gun and these are by far the tightest patterning load I have ever shot. I would NEVER consider a 50 yard shot but feel like I can do it no problem now.

Try em. I was running 3 inch #5 in an 11-87 12 bore, there unreal.

they pattern better than anything i have tried including Hevi-Shot

Same here. I tempted to go buy a case

They pattern good for me, they don't out pattern #7 hevi13 though from my guns.

A problem with the LB's is people get good patterns and think their range is extended. A friend shot LB 5's in one of his guns and got 100 pellets in the 10" @ 60yds, so the other day he killed a turkey at 66yds because his LB's pattern so good. He only had to shoot it 3 times and ring it's neck when he finally caught up to it.


I do wish they would make them in 20 gauge.

Dang, I decided not to buy any today when I was at the LGS.

Since Nitro Ray is out of stock I'm making contingency plans. Bought Hevi Shot mag blend and Hevi 13 5s to test. They had the LBs and I started to grab a box but didn't. Wish I had now

Never tried em because I cannot put down Fed Heavyweight #7's. Used in both 12 and 20 gauge shotguns.

Better give em a go, it worth it

With what chokes?

I read this NWTF article yesterday, seems to fit with your question Taz.

http://www.nwtf.org/hunt/article/choking-winchester%27s-long-beard-xr

Yep. Me too. the no 5's were the ticket for me as well. I actually patterned them at 50 and have no doubt 60 was WELL within it's limits. I'd rather shoot them at 20 and wouldn't shoot an unwounded one at 60 but it can be done.

I used a Primos Jelly Head.

Cant recall the brand but its a .650

If I went back to shooting lead, the LB would be my shell for sure.

That's the exact problem with these shells. Just because the pattern density is there, doesn't mean a load will kill at that distance. The pellets still need enough energy to penetrate and break bones. The longbeard shells pattern great in my guns, phenomenal infact, for lead. But they still don't out pattern Hevi shot, nor do they penetrate as well. I stocked up on them for the days I feel like shooting lead, but they won't replace hevishot in my arsenal.

I used my buddies gun last Thursday to pop one at 45-50 yards. I was very impressed with the xr load. It left his head a bloody mess and he never even twitched. I would say they are worth a try. I still prefer heavy shot as it has never failed me on reasonable shots. Made my benelli 20g a turkey killing machine out to 40.

Ended up going back and getting a box of long beards.

Patterned my gun yesterday as I am almost out of my choice load and need to restock. I've been shooting nitro ray's loads but mine isn't available and who knows when he will have it back in stock

Wow. Winchester long beard 3.5" 6s patterned awesome. 231 hits in a 10" circle at a lasered 42 yards.

For comparison, hevi mag blend was 179 and hevi-13 5s I didn't even bother to count

I'll be going back to stock up on these

26" SBE2 with Rhino .660 and Burris speed bead

This bird was over 40 Im sure, didnt even flop with a 3 inch load of LB #5

Sumtoy .650 for a Benelli

They are MEAN in the SuperVinci with Indian Creek .665, these are 6s in 3"

After I patterned the Winchester XR 3.5" #5 shot loads I dont even consider another shell for Turkey hunting, these are the real deal for sure......Good luck.....Hb