Home Forums Birds & Dogs Turkey Hunting Winchester New Long Beard shells.

When I was younger and before I read that lead 6s lacked penetration past 35 yards I killed more than a couple at 50-55 with the 3 1/2 #6. Never lost one, but like to get them to 40 now because I figure I would likely lose one from a pattern density issue. A turkey that gets several #6 lead pellets in the head at 50 yards is dead but if you only get a couple on its head your asking for trouble. I got some 3 inch 4s in the long beard load and will see what they do.

I just picked up the last box of #6's that Cabelas in Owatonna MN. I'll try to head out tomorrow to see what they will do.

Keep us posted! I picked up the last two boxes of 6's at Bass Pro here in PA. I was after 5's but they didn;t have any. Figured the 6's would do for testing porposes. Ive got a Benelli SBEII and a Browning Gold to feed them to. If it ever gets warm enough here, I'll post up my results. The next ten days look to be below freezing.

Much more to come later. But as of now. Not impressed.

That's the first time I've heard anyone shoot them and not like them. Over on old gobbler there must be 40 posts of pattern pictures, from every gun and choke imaginable. I haven't seen a pattern yet that wouldn't absolutely hammer a gobbler at 40.

Don't get me wrong. These shells would hammer a bird at 40!!!!!
But we are going to have idiots try 60 yard shots and we are going to have a lot of coyote bait.
Like I said, I have more testing to do with 2 different guns. Then I'll post up, on guns, tubes, at actual ranges.

Turkey hunting is by far my favorite sport. It's like poor man elk hunting. With the calling and gobbling its a fall elk hunt on a smaller scale.

I think Wednesday, I'll be able to get out and do a good test. I only fired 1 round today. After seeing that 1 round and knowing that I only get 1 round a year. I'm not impressed.

Borden, send or post a link to oldgobbler. I looked thru there and must have been looking at the wrong spot.

For reference here's what my 2 guns and chokes will do at 40 with Hevi-Shot

Let me get you a link. There are guys getting 200-220 with the longbeard 5s, and 250-300 with the 6s. My benelli will shoot the hevi 6s in the 250s, and the 7s over 300. I'm hoping for good performance from the longbeards.

Here's a link to the pattern picture section. First page has 40 or so different longbeard threads.

http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/board,105.0.html

I am hearing good things about how these shells pattern and that is great. But I will add my voice to the side that is telling you that a lead 6 is still a lead 6. No magic resin or wadding is going to change it's penetrating power at 60 yards. I would not fire at a turkey 60 yards away with lead 6's no matter how good my patterns were. And I would strongly urge you to follow suit or you are going to cripple and lose birds. I don't care what somebodies uncles third cousin did once back in 1978. Lead 6's even if you could maintain a good pattern to 60 yards (which I seriously doubt) are just not consistent 60 yards killers.

If you want to take 60 yard shots then my advice would be to start hand loading TSS shot.

Thanks for the link Borden.
From what I'm reading over there, there very few getting over 200 in 10". And only one that is doing it with 3"
They seam to like a little tighter choke. Indian Creek looks to be a favorite.
I have yet to see any 60 yard patterns that I would consider a consistant killer.
Tomorrow is a no go for the range. 30 mph winds and -40 windchill.

I'm sure I could play the tube game but life is to short to do that again. And it helps that I have enough Hevi to last me to damn near 60. But I like to shoot so for $18 a box I figured I'd give them a fair test.

That's exactly what I said a few posts up. Read through the thread. Most agree, but a few seem to think 6s will work just dandy at 50 and 60 yards. I mean hey, it says so right on the box, it has to be true!

I'd be worried about trying to hit one with that tennis ball sized pattern they have at 20 yards.

They don't shoot any tighter at 20 than any other load out of my turkey chokes.

I will not shoot at 20. I set my deks at 35 and enjoy the show until its hammer time.

Well guys and gals, I just tried some of the 5's in a 930 Mossberg with a Kicks 665 choke and a Beretta Pintail with a Kicks 670 choke and was not impressed with the results. The pattern was scattered at 40 yards with both guns. I then tried the Winchester supreme elite in 5's with both guns with fantastic results. I will try more testing with them but this year I'm staying with the elites as long as I have some.

Got a pattern master code black for my a400 today and shot some 3.5 inch 6's in the longbeard through it. At 40 yards the pattern is pretty much ridiculous. Well over 200 in the 10. The majority of the core of the pattern is less than 8 inches. Not sure if I like that.

Choke/gun shoots regular win. Supreme 5's, xtended range 5's and fed. turkey thug 5's really well to but I didn't do any counting.

Was surprised how well it did with federal flight control 4's too.

Tell that to my uncle who killed a Tom at 61 yards with a Full choke barreled, Remington M870, and Remington 2 3/4" Nitro Mag #4's.

I have no doubt he patterened at that range. The bird's head/neck was wrecked. I watched it happen.

I don't take those shots, I like em in close, the closer the better as far as I'm concerned.

I'm guessing that a #4, 2 3/4" pattern doesn't look too good on paper at 61 yards. I'm sure you can kill one at that range if a pellet or two finds the right spot, but your going to injure some birds doing that. I wouldn't reccomend shooting #4, 2 3/4" shells at turkeys at that range.

Borden is right, if you want to feel confident at 60 yards, then you need to do some experimenting with chokes, ammo, and probably need to be hand loading some TSS.

Maybe you or your uncle should invest in a rangefinder? I'd love to see a picture of the pattern of 4s that will "wreck" a turkey head and neck at 60 yards. From ANY choke and shell combo, let alone 2 3\4 nitro mags.