For all those that are using Apex 20 ga. Ammo from Apex have you seen a difference in your patterns lately, I been using there ammo since 2020 #9 and # 7/9 blends and had great success out of my Remington 870 until the last few boxes since last year's 2024 shells. I ordered another few new boxes this year to test them out and I'm seeing a different pattern again all the shells are ordered directly from their factory. I had a few shells from prior years and they patterned completely different and better than the newer shellsover the last 2 years purchased. Just curious if anyone else has noticed a change.
Not really sure, Is the 7/9 blend allowed in Nj?
A few forums are mentioning some fail to eject problems with their newer .410. Opinion is that they may have changed some basic component. Worth keeping an eye on.
The .410 is an entirely different hull than it used to be. Brighter red, shorter brass, and a slightly smaller diameter.
My older shells failed to eject one time on a 301 .410. I thought the smaller diameter might help with that.
When I was zeroing my red dot on my Mossberg .410, I had a box of the Apex Ninja #9 that seemed to vary patterns from shell to shell. I was using a lead sled so I know it was not me. Most times, it takes a couple of shots to be happy. It took me 10 shots to feel really comfortable because I had to shoot the same shot over a couple of times due to pattern differences. I have never had that experience in the past.
Tested some 2024 year apex 9's this spring. Best pattern numbers ever out of my sa 20. Had a new choke in my CVA so not a good comparison.
I sure hope not, just bought a box today! Every time I get in truck to leave the store my Dad's voice pops in my head " you just paid $54 for 5 Turkey shells!"
Plan to confirm POI/POA tomorrow if not raining.
IMO - $$ is why so few will really pattern TSS properly , if at all, especially when trying to zero a red dot or similar sight.
I have used Apex for years in both my .410 and 12ga. Never failed but I did have a first ever fail to eject with it in my .410. Then a second two shots later. Both at the range. Be watching these Apex discussions closely. I have a box of Ninja .410 loaded on 8/5/2024. I'll shoot half on the range before next season. Hear good things about both Verdict and Foxtrot in .410. One more fail to eject and I may give them a try. As for the 12 ga that is no problem as it likes lead and at 40 yards in works great. I doubt if I ever buy TSS for the 12 again. TSS, with shipping and tax, are getting close to $12 per shell. I'll do that if necessary for the .410 but not the 12. Love carrying and shooting the .410 but after the fail to ejects went back to the 12 for this FL season. To add the Apex patterns very well in both guns.
Exactly Joey I didn't expect to get a lot of responses on this post because of that factor cost most fokes will dial in a pattern and think everything is fine year after year, but I wanted to share my experience with what's been happening lately with checking my setup before I do any hunting. I travel to several states and don't have time on the road to check if thing is just ok. Let us know Sunglazer your experience.
I tested my 20 before this spring with March 2024 and it shot low. Still a great pattern, just low. So I zeroed it back in.
I had wondered why. I just assumed it was my Holosun red dot. But maybe not
Dug through my closet and found some older Apex .410. Comparing to the new box the brass is significantly different. New stuff much shorter.
I always zero in a new sight and check zero of an old sight with bird shot first. If it is close, I finish it out with my turkey loads shooting out to 50 yards. I start at 20 yards and then 30 and then 40 and lastly 50 yards. I need to know what the pattern looks like at all of those ranges.
If I can't afford to do that then I can't afford a license and tag and have no business being out in the woods turkey hunting. The financial investment of knowing your gun is zeroed and patterned is as important or more so, as the rest of the financial investments in turkey hunting.
Just some food for thought. The way you store ammo matters. I know a guy that does competition shotgun shoots. He has an easy 3 grand in his gun. He was complaining to me about slight shifts in impact from shot to shot, and it was enough to keep him out of the money. Per their rules, they have to shoot the ammo supplied to them at the shoot. I told him to take his shells from now on time and tap the base on the table a few times before he loaded up. He is winning money now. Storing shells on their sides will have a negative effect. Over time, the buffer and pellets will settle on the bottom side.