From Hevi-13 to Winchester Longbeards? Been reading many good threads with the Longbeards, and was just curious how many actually switched? I've been shooting Hevi-13 3.5's which are getting out of hand with the prices, and have considered trying the Longbeards?
I haven't. Still haven't seen the longbeards in this area yet.
I sold my last hevi I had on hand and now have 20 boxes of the longbeard 3in #5, this shell shoots better for me out to fourty than anything ive ever shot, with that being said I did put a scope on my gun this year because the longbeards were so tight :icon_thumright:
They are in my 12 gauges now and just waiting on 20' s for next year hopefully.
I wish I could do the pics to get some old whites, Win original XR's and other htl loadsdown the road.
I have a box of longbeards to try once the weather finally gets decent. I do have a decent stock of Hevi 13 and Federal Heavyweights to last for a couple years for my 12 and 20 though. I might use the longbeards on a bird this year if they pattern good just for something different.
I went back to lead last year and will be staying with it from now on. I haven't shot the longbeards or fed thugs yet either. I have some hevi 13,nitros,and a few win er hd loads put up. I've also been shoiting 3" loads instead of 3.5". Also shot some 2 3/4" win hi vel 6's for my dad to use in one of my guns and was blown away at the pattern!! I had a what the heck have i been thinking moment!!lol
I got a couple hevi 7's and magblends left......but there's a box of WinLBXR ready to take over after they are gone ;D
I still have a good many Mag Blends stocked up. I went ahead and spent the time and money patterning my guns with LongBeards so I can switch back and forth between Hevi and LBs. But ultimately I will end up shooting LongBeards when my stash of Mag Blends run out.
I switched this year. I have 3 hevi shells left but have managed to acquire around 10 or so boxes of the 3" long beards in 5 & 6 shot. My plan is to buy even more. This stuff shoots great and honestly I do not shoot past 40 yards.....for me personally it just makes sense.
I actually traded the 5 boxes of Longbeards I had for some of the Federal 3" 2oz #6s.May actually get rid of everything I got and use the Turkey Thugs.The LBs gave me the greatest 40yd patterns i've ever got,but were a little tight for my liking up close.The thugs give me good dense patterns at 40 and enough wiggle room close.Id say the thugs have given me overall the best performance(short and long distances).
That being said if I was in a bind and needed ammo and LBs was all I could find,i'd be very happy.Just have to bear down a little more on the bead.Winchester definetely hit a home run here.
I have switched the longbeards pattern better in my 870 than the hevi 3/2/7s ive been using
Nah...I gotta burn thru the existing stockpile a little more first.
I switched! And my wallet loves them :TooFunny:
Not yet. But that's because I need to burn up what I have.
But I will be when I'm cleaned out.
I'm sticking with H-T-L loads.
Not me, all you guys who want to get your Federal Heavyweights gone. Just let me know.......
Quote from: Fullfan on March 15, 2014, 07:02:26 PM
Not me, all you guys who want to get your Federal Heavyweights gone. Just let me know.......
Still have a pile of the thugs from last year. Cheaper and IMO they perform just as we'll as the LB in my 3500 & 870. If they get used, I still have the Winchester supremes for my 1300. Just don't see the need to switch...
Nope, not me. Hevi-13 3-2-7's for longer shots, and Federal 3.5-2-6's for close in woods work.
I patterned my SX3 a few days ago and with a .665 choke at 40 yards the long beards with 3" and 3.5" shot tight, I have never seen tighter patterns, amazed. They shot so tight I will not hunt with them, a little one way or the other and I could miss. I have about 8 boxes of 3 1/2" winchester supreme HV #5's, I will use them. When I run out I will buy a more open choke and use the long beards. My son in law likes the pattern so much he is going to pattern 3" #5 long beards in his 1300 out of a .665 choke he has.
I have been shooting lead for 30 years, and right along with HTL loads too for the last 15 years or so. I get upper 150's to mid 160's with the old Federal Premium lead and the Winchester Super X lead loads. No need to switch when what I'm using works like lightning on the birds already. I put my time into patterning, knowing what each load will do at whatever range I'm shooting it and don't need to rely on a new load to make up for my not knowing my gear inside and out. I also have at least a case+ of the Federal lead loads both in 12 and 20 gauge and a LARGE assortment of Winchester lead loads-enough to last my hunting lifetime, and 3 other hunters' lifetimes. Same goes for my HTL load stock. I have ammo buying issues. lol Bright side is, I bought enough of it over the years that I don't have to worry about the price of ammo like so many other folks that buy year to year.
I'm switching...been using Mag Blends but I've never got the big numbers seems like everyone else has.
I shot Win LB XR's 3.5" 6's in my Stoeger 3500 , 3 different chokes today at 40. By far best patterns I've ever shot.
Best was 276 in 10 with Jellyhead .665. 258 in 10 with Comp N Choke xxx .650 and 255 in 10 with Ballistic Specialties Angle Port .650 all at lasered 40. The Ballistic Specialties was so tight it's scary but not as even as the Jellyhead...most of the hits were in about an 8" diameter.
Im making the switch this year in my 935. Haven't patterned the LB's yet but im just not seeing the need for a $7 turkey load when the LB's are putting up better numbers than hevi. That said i will still be shooting Federal HW's in my 20. Nothing can touch 330+ #7 hw's comin down the pipe IMO. I will pay the price on them any day to make a 20 a bonafide 40 yd killer.
Quote from: jordanz7935 on March 15, 2014, 10:25:24 PM
Im making the switch this year in my 935. Haven't patterned the LB's yet but im just not seeing the need for a $7 turkey load when the LB's are putting up better numbers than hevi. That said i will still be shooting Federal HW's in my 20. Nothing can touch 330+ #7 hw's comin down the pipe IMO. I will pay the price on them any day to make a 20 a bonafide 40 yd killer.
330+ of HW 7's in a 20 Ga ! Are you sure ? :o
The release of Longbeard has caught me between jobs, so it hasn't been much of a priority for me. I have been very curious about it though.
I was very impressed with the Turkey Thugs last year, and they are half the price of the Longbeards. None of my local Wal-Marts are stocking Longbeards, so BPS is my local supplier.
Then it comes down to me already having plenty of HTL loads for early season hunting, and plenty of Lead loads for late season hunting after greenup. Because of its pattern density at 40 yards plus; I see Longbeard as a logical replacement for HTL, not other Lead loads.
Quote from: vaturkey on March 15, 2014, 10:52:59 PM
Quote from: jordanz7935 on March 15, 2014, 10:25:24 PM
Im making the switch this year in my 935. Haven't patterned the LB's yet but im just not seeing the need for a $7 turkey load when the LB's are putting up better numbers than hevi. That said i will still be shooting Federal HW's in my 20. Nothing can touch 330+ #7 hw's comin down the pipe IMO. I will pay the price on them any day to make a 20 a bonafide 40 yd killer.
330+ of HW 7's in a 20 Ga ! Are you sure ? :o
he was talking about the pellet count in the shell not in a 10" circle campbells chicken noodle.
nope got way to many mag blends stocked up and the new ones still shot great out of my gun, and I found some old batches to. ill stick with them for now but I will say ive seen some crazy patterns from the lb. but my htl loads are the same if not better and I trust them more for now.
Nope, sticking with my Federal HW's
Nope, no interest, too many pics of birds that would not have died with lead...
mudhen
I'm not switching either.
Pellet count in the 10 at 40 yds wasn't the only reason I switched to htl, and it won't make me switch back to lead.
I was going to try a box but my local Wally World (which I hate shopping at) only had 3" #5's. I have several boxes of 3 1/2" Hevi 13 #7's and severl Nitro shells, guess I will use what I have for now.
Not me, I'm stocked up on hevi 13
I'm sticking with HTL also wish they would offer xtended range in these
I would like to thank those that have made the switch.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/18/9u4uzu8a.jpg)
Got a few more on the way. :)
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Not me............ I've been loading my own for a couple years now and have enough Hevishot and HeavyWeight to last awhile. Plus I enjoy it.
However, these new LB's have something going for them. I'm glad to see the great patterns that guys are getting with them. I read where a guy ran them through a chrono and some went as much as 1337fps. I suspect we'll see several dead gobblers that were taken with this new shell.
Someone did some redneck "soup can" penetration testing I read and said he though they are good for shots to 40yds and a bit beyond if you misjudge the distance, but they runout of steam faster than Hevishot or Heavyweight. Remember, its still lead shot and all things being equal, can't "carry the mail" like the HTL shot can.
Quote from: davisd9 on March 18, 2014, 09:47:08 AM
I would like to thank those that have made the switch.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/18/9u4uzu8a.jpg)
Got a few more on the way. :)
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your more than welcome i will trade 5 for 20 and still save six bucks any time :TooFunny:
Quote from: knightrider on March 18, 2014, 01:18:40 PM
Quote from: davisd9 on March 18, 2014, 09:47:08 AM
I would like to thank those that have made the switch.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/18/9u4uzu8a.jpg)
Got a few more on the way. :)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
your more than welcome i will trade 5 for 20 and still save six bucks any time :TooFunny:
The prices these have been selling for are great. No bad lot numbers either.
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Quote from: davisd9 on March 18, 2014, 01:21:57 PM
Quote from: knightrider on March 18, 2014, 01:18:40 PM
Quote from: davisd9 on March 18, 2014, 09:47:08 AM
I would like to thank those that have made the switch.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/18/9u4uzu8a.jpg)
Got a few more on the way. :)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
your more than welcome i will trade 5 for 20 and still save six bucks any time :TooFunny:
The prices these have been selling for are great. No bad lot numbers either.
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good point i also no longer have to search lot numbers :icon_thumright: but on a serious note i hope everyone of those hevi shells brings you home a big ole thunder chicken my friend :newmascot:
Same to you buddy! Nothing wrong with them longbeards, they will kill all day everyday at 40. I just need less flopping so I can get after number 2 of the day quicker. ;)
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Quote from: drum817 on March 15, 2014, 02:38:13 PM
This stuff shoots great and honestly I do not shoot past 40 yards.....for me personally it just makes sense.
X-2
It makes a lot of sense to me as well. I have a few boxes of the M.B left. When it's done,it's done. I can't see myself spending 30 somtin bucks for 5 shells anymore. 1st chance I get,I'll get a few boxes of the new L.B. :)
No intentions of ever shooting anything other than HTL.
Quote from: davisd9 on March 18, 2014, 09:47:08 AM
I would like to thank those that have made the switch.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/18/9u4uzu8a.jpg)
Got a few more on the way. :)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Your welcome! ;D.
I've evaluated the Winchester Long Beard 3", 6's and 5's, and got the best patterns I've ever seen with lead. With that said, the patterns which I get w/ EM Hevi-13, 3" & 31/2", 5's, 6's, and 7's are all significantly better w/ superior penetration. My stash of the green Remington tungsten, "old white" Polywad tungsten and EM Hevi-13's shells in both 3' and 31/2" should last me for another 20-25 years, and who knows what might be available "down the pike" if I ever do run out.
I too will be sticking with Federal HeavyWeight!
Quote from: PALongspur on March 18, 2014, 09:09:41 PM
I too will be sticking with Federal HeavyWeight!
I with you! I wouldnt trade 1 HW for 10 LBs. Well I would for a resale value But not for my hunting purposes Doesnt matter though i shoot a big 10 anyway.
For my 20 no way sticking with fed hw.
My 12 loves hevi 7.... they would have to put upwards of 250 for me to switch
I'm shooting the long beards this year but didn't switch from hevi
Made the switch also. Best patterns I've ever shot. Chuck
I still got MagBlends. Maybe when they gone I will try some.
I have switched to 3 1/2 #5's.... Pattern just as good a the magblends and are a lot cheaper.....
I'm making the switch from Hevi Shot to Nitro
switch made also
not me,I like the Turkey Thugs better in my guns
I made the switch to Longbeards those 3 1/2 #6 are bad medicine for thunder chickens.
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I'm hunting with them this season. LB 6's 3".
Not me, I'm sticking with hevi 7s. Still have SEVERAL boxes left.
This has been a very good thread. I think everyone is right. Everyone on this thread patterns their setup, and knows what it will do for them. Whichever shell works for you is the right shell for you.
Down the road, I'll probably go the Longbeard XR route. But I'm not hurting for shells at the moment, and my discretionary funds are low; so I'm just being a casual observer until the time is right for me. I will try several different chokes with them and see if I can open up their pattern a little, and get good even coverage out to at least 12"-15".