Who prefers 8.5s and why.
Not me.. I'm a 9 guy.
Nines. Better pattern density and all the penetration you will ever need, but it is purely academic. I have used both and either will work just fine. Don't overthink it.
Not trying to over think it. I have killed plenty with nines. I was testing a 20 ga the other day and it shot in the 290s with 8.5s. So considering the good pattern I was curious if there is really any advantage. The same gun shot 9s in the 300-320 range.
Those 8s 8.5 hit like a train when they hit...If i was getting those numbers id prob go for it
Its like a yellow jacket or a wood hornet one hurts more and will mow a path of brush
You shooting 1 5/8 load ?
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My 20 gauge Mossberg 500 does 235+ in a 10" at 40 yards with 8.5s in 1 3/8th load from Foxtrot.
20 years ago the goal was to break 100 in a 10" circle with lead 4s or 5s and we were happy.
Yes 1 5/8 load
Banded Spur is correct. Don't overthink it. NY went to #9s last year but I still use #8s tss hand loads because I believe they hit a little harder. That's me... I concentrate on shot placement
I prefer 8.5's if i am shooting tss. It gives me waaay more of a pattern than I need at 40, and since that's my max distance, I want them deaderer than if I shot them with #9's
If everyone here is 40 and in shoot any size, I had to load 7.5s for Iowa a couple years ago, pattern not nearly as good as 9s but better than my 12ga loads prior to TSS.
I have considered 8 or 8.5 to try and eliminate any shot in the meat, I get occasional pellets in the breast and legs/thighs. Maybe with 8s that would go away?
Quote from: Happy on February 13, 2024, 05:57:29 PM
I prefer 8.5's if i am shooting tss. It gives me waaay more of a pattern than I need at 40, and since that's my max distance, I want them deaderer than if I shot them with #9's
X2 ... Agree
Quote from: Dtrkyman on February 29, 2024, 10:27:33 AM
If everyone here is 40 and in shoot any size, I had to load 7.5s for Iowa a couple years ago, pattern not nearly as good as 9s but better than my 12ga loads prior to TSS.
I have considered 8 or 8.5 to try and eliminate any shot in the meat, I get occasional pellets in the breast and legs/thighs. Maybe with 8s that would go away?
New Jersey is still behind on loads, so have to shoot minimum of #7 1/2s , hope they catch up and allow #9s in the future. I dont reload, much easier to find 9s in stores.
With 8.5's, I haven't had issues. But to be fair, I aim at the head to try and keep shot out of the breast. My average shot is probably 25- 30 yards, so I don't have a very big pattern either.
Tried some Apex Ninja 8.5 today. Patterned better for me than the 9s I was shooting. The pattern is the decision maker. It will be 8.5s this year. Shot with Indian Creek 0.555 choke at 20 and 40 yards.
Quote from: JeffC on February 29, 2024, 11:02:52 AM
Quote from: Dtrkyman on February 29, 2024, 10:27:33 AM
If everyone here is 40 and in shoot any size, I had to load 7.5s for Iowa a couple years ago, pattern not nearly as good as 9s but better than my 12ga loads prior to TSS.
I have considered 8 or 8.5 to try and eliminate any shot in the meat, I get occasional pellets in the breast and legs/thighs. Maybe with 8s that would go away?
New Jersey is still behind on loads, so have to shoot minimum of #7 1/2s , hope they catch up and allow #9s in the future. I dont reload, much easier to find 9s in stores.
Fyi I have "heard" the a proposal to allow shot size smaller than the existing #7.5 shot has been approved by the fish and game council and will now move to legislature ....hopefully this gets finalized by next year.
I went to a 1.5oz load of 9.5s in my 20 this year. I haven't shot a turkey with them yet, but man I like the pattern. Out of a .580 Sumtoy is consistently getting @ 300 in the 10" with a pattern that isn't a baseball at 20.
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Quote from: Notsoyoungturk on March 02, 2024, 09:32:41 PM
Tried some Apex Ninja 8.5 today. Patterned better for me than the 9s I was shooting. The pattern is the decision maker. It will be 8.5s this year. Shot with Indian Creek 0.555 choke at 20 and 40 yards.
Agreed both kill stone dead, its all about the pattern.
Quote from: Greg Massey on February 29, 2024, 10:43:32 AM
Quote from: Happy on February 13, 2024, 05:57:29 PM
I prefer 8.5's if i am shooting tss. It gives me waaay more of a pattern than I need at 40, and since that's my max distance, I want them deaderer than if I shot them with #9's
X2 ... Agree
X3
My sa20 will shoot around 300 in the 10 with 8.5