Now, I have read here that Fed is discontinuing the heviweight.
Can anyone confirm this? If it is true, it is really sad. I finally found a load for my son's 20 that shot awesome.
I guess I should have bought more a couple years ago. It is a shame. It is a fantastic shell that truly turned a 20 into a bona fide 40 yard killer with a factory load.
Now, it looks like only Hevi-13 is making a #7 load for the 20, and that shell is kinda hard to find up here. Only way to get them is to order online.
My son has 7 boxes for his 20, which will last him many, many years as we only shoot one shell to confirm accuracy at the range, and hopefully one on a gobbler in the spring.
Still, I feel it is now time to roll my own for my 20. For one thing, I have always wanted to do it, and secondly, I will never have to worry about inconsistency nor discontinuation of a shell.
I know it comes down to money for a company, and we turkey hunters are a very small segment of an ammo companies business, so I get it, but it is still too bad.
I hope you are wrong
Quote from: Fieldturkey on March 21, 2015, 07:49:22 AM
I hope you are wrong
Me too. However, I couldn't find it at Bass Pro, Dunns, and some other places online. One of the only places I found it was Midway USA.
Well thats my luck!
I was gonna use my 20ga because of the reviews the HW#7's were getting. I havent had a chance to pattern it yet. The way my luck goes they'll be the best pattern Ill ever see and won't be able to find anymore LOL!
I got is 2 boxes, I'll have to run down to GM and see if they got any more.
Google that shell Midway Usa, Gander Mountain, and several places have them in stock. I think that is just a rumor. I cant see Federal not making this 20 gauge shell anymore. It is the best selling 20 gauge shell. Federal sells every box they make.
If someone comes up with a cheaper alternative that performs the same they will clean house...I still see it on the shelves so I think it will be around for a few years regardless of production!
If winchester would produce a 20ga longbeard that would really put a damper on the hevi stuff!
I hope it's just a rumor about no more HW #7's.
I emailed Winchester about a 20 gauge LB load and they said they have no plans of making one.
I will see several Federal employees tonight. I will try to remember to ask them.
No offense but to the guy that said the longbeard xr's would put a end to the heavy stuff that's just absurd. they don't have the long range knockdown or pattern density of the heavyweights or hevi-13's. Me and my buddies have shot them all and I aint found a load my mossy 935 and jellyhead won't shoot. they do pattern well and will perform well but in the end it is still copper plated lead shot and performs as such no matter what winchester say's. they shoulda never discontinued their xtended range shell period.
Quote from: turkeywhisperer935 on March 21, 2015, 09:51:34 AM
No offense but to the guy that said the longbeard xr's would put a end to the heavy stuff that's just absurd. they don't have the long range knockdown or pattern density of the heavyweights or hevi-13's. Me and my buddies have shot them all and I aint found a load my mossy 935 and jellyhead won't shoot. they do pattern well and will perform well but in the end it is still copper plated lead shot and performs as such no matter what winchester say's. they shoulda never discontinued their xtended range shell period.
Preach on, brother. But the longbeards fanboys will still continue to believe they've found a cheaper equivalent to HTL.....
If this was a long range sport, maybe there would be a reason to be concerned about the long range knockdown. But is isn't so there isn't.
Quote from: Ihuntoldschool on March 21, 2015, 10:49:24 AM
If this was a long range sport, maybe there would be a reason to be concerned about the long range knockdown. But is isn't so there isn't.
40 yards is long range :icon_thumright:
Fed HW 7's allows for pattern density with great killing ability with a 20 gauge at 40 yards.
Most lead loads don't get much past 30 effectively.
Some do not want to be beat to death by a 3 1/2" cannon with longbeards , but this aint no long range sport , right. :fud: ;D
Why would you want to handicap yourself with a crappy shell? Might as well shoot the best you can get/afford
Quote from: Fieldturkey on March 21, 2015, 11:37:35 AM
Why would you want to handicap yourself with a crappy shell? Might as well shoot the best you can get/afford
So if its lead that automatically makes it a crappy shell?
I am no way a fan boy, hell I have never even seen a long beard shell. But when a load comes out that patterns comparably to hevi stuff and is cheaper it will take over, why do you think every other pattern thread is about longbeards?
On the occasion that I gun hunt I still have some hevi and win. xd range, but if I bought new I would certainly try longbeards. all of you guys here preach 40 yards or less so if the lead patterns comparably the hevi does not matter!
I have heard the same rumor on duck hunting sites...
I ordered some loads from Cabela's months ago, and they have not arrived. When I called to inquire about the order I was told it was on back-order, and that the order would likely be cancelled due to unavailability...
I am not a fan of giving Hevi-shot any business, but it looks like next season, I will probably purchase some 20 gauge loads, and make the switch over to a 20 gauge... I have 4 Hevi-shot loads left this season for the 12 gauge...
My guess is, if they cannot make a profit selling shells at $6 per shell, that there are some issues garnering the materials to make these loads... I always thought that the price of these loads was artificially marked up, simply because it could be, but I doubt that shell manufactures would leave that much money on the table by discontinuing these loads if they were that profitable.
Lead is certainly adequate for killing turkeys, but these denser loads are no doubt superior... Not superior enough to pay $10 or $20 per shell though... Especially since I don't believe I would consider taking a bird much over 40 yards (unless I make an error in judgment).
In a couple of years, lead will not be an option for us in California, as it will be illegal to hunt any game with any lead ammunition... I am guessing we will see the advent of steel turkey loads... And the cost of the denser materials will go up even higher.
So if its lead that automatically makes it a crappy shell?
[/quote]
In the 20, yes lead is crap. In the 12, a little less crappy
ok im confused guys.... shooting heavyweight 7's which are equivalent to lead 6 so how is it denser than longbeard 4 or 5 shot
:OGturkeyhead: I think this is a rumor. Talked to people at a local gun show today and they said that Federal Heavyweight is still available but in demand. Don't panic yet, lol. We killed birds before and we will continue to do so. Al Baker
Quote from: Dirt nap on March 21, 2015, 02:06:09 PM
ok im confused guys.... shooting heavyweight 7's which are equivalent to lead 6 so how is it denser than longbeard 4 or 5 shot
Heavyweight is 15 g/cc and lead is 11g/cc. Not sure what math you're doing.
10+ boxes at Bass Pro in Orlando.
The rumor of the Heavyweight turkey loads being discontinued has been around since at least early 2013. I think it started when the Heavyweight duck loads were discontinued. I haven't had any trouble finding them, but they do sell out fast this time of year.
Try Rogers, or DnW Outdoors, both had stacks of it earlier this spring.
Looks like this latest rumor on here started with this guys very first post.
http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,53074.msg526630.html#msg526630 (http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,53074.msg526630.html#msg526630)
Who then goes on to tell us about a great stock at the Avery Superstore. I wonder if it is the same Bill Cooksey that has been an Avery Pro Staffer since 1999 (Google search).
Quote from: Fieldturkey on March 21, 2015, 01:10:52 PM
So if its lead that automatically makes it a crappy shell?
In the 20, yes lead is crap. In the 12, a little less crappy
[/quote]
Hmmmm.Shot plenty of turkeys with lead from both that didnt seem to notice.
Dang Rap, remind me not to get you suspicious of me! Good detective work there!
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/03/21/1819647ed15af20f8b8e1c62515ca6b6.jpg)
I have not heard anything about the hevi being dropped from production but these Winchester shells perform quite well. I have not compared them but would be worth a shot if looking for another option
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: VaTuRkStOmPeR on March 21, 2015, 03:09:35 PM
Quote from: Dirt nap on March 21, 2015, 02:06:09 PM
ok im confused guys.... shooting heavyweight 7's which are equivalent to lead 6 so how is it denser than longbeard 4 or 5 shot
Heavyweight is 15 g/cc and lead is 11g/cc. Not sure what math you're doing.
Density is not the weight, but the degree of compactness of a substance. You could get styrofoam balls that weigh the same as a #6 lead pellet as well, but they would obviously not work very well because they are not dense, and do not maintain energy (or velocity)...
Denser material will generally maintain energy and velocity for longer distances, and it will tend to pattern more tightly and more consistently, not only due to the density, but the fact that most of these substances are also harder than lead (so they do not deform)...
In comparing #6 2 oz lead turkey loads to #6 1 1/4 oz Hevi-shot loads (shooting a standard full choke), I was had a higher pellet count within a 10" circle with the Hevi-shot loads even though there were far fewer pellets. And because the Hevi-shot is more dense, it will reach out a bit further as well...
Quote from: Rapscallion Vermilion on March 21, 2015, 04:19:04 PM
Looks like this latest rumor on here started with this guys very first post.
http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,53074.msg526630.html#msg526630 (http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,53074.msg526630.html#msg526630)
Who then goes on to tell us about a great stock at the Avery Superstore. I wonder if it is the same Bill Cooksey that has been an Avery Pro Staffer since 1999 (Google search).
I was Avery's marketing director for 13 years, but I left the company two years ago. Read the load was discontinued on a waterfowl board and started digging. The ammo forum here had several posts from people looking for HW, and since I found a bunch at a local retailer I thought letting those interested know was appropriate. This forum is where I first learned about the 20 gauge patterns folks were getting with HW back when I was in a mild panic over He I discontinuing my ffavorite load.
By the way, I posted here a fair amount a few years back, but my login was somehow lost.
:character0029: Well, lead or hw, ad nauseum. We should be honing our woodsmanship and calling. I'm a little older and I find more enjoyment in getting a bird in close rather shooting them at extreme ranges. We owe the bird more than reaching out there and chancing on wounding him. How can anyone after calling Mr Tom up close and personal, staring down the rattle to borrow from Mike Strand, go back to shooting at iffy ranges. When they're that close a load of high brass hard sixes does very well. I'm not trying to pontificate here but our sport, calling in birds, is part of what makes it special. Also even though I work and have limited time in the field I get as much enjoyment when a bird doesn't get roasted, most of the time I remember those hunts more than when I connect. Have a great Spring out there and may you hear the RATTLE ! :OGturkeyhead:
I don't disagree, but I do try to have the best pattern possible in my 20. It's very rare I take a shot over thirty yards, and 40 is my absolute limit. However, I like having a few extra yards of leeway. With the current combo I misjudged one field bird that turned out to be 43 yards and also killed a bird at 54 that was running off crippled after the guy with me failed to center him. Wanting the best pattern possible doesn't always equal wanting to take long shots. I've killed more birds under twenty than over thirty.
True or not , any turkey hunter who has used the premium turkey shells , knows that tomorrow is never guaranteed -
If it works well , hoard the the stuff -
Quote from: greencop01 on March 22, 2015, 01:09:55 PM
:character0029: Well, lead or hw, ad nauseum. We should be honing our woodsmanship and calling. I'm a little older and I find more enjoyment in getting a bird in close rather shooting them at extreme ranges. We owe the bird more than reaching out there and chancing on wounding him. How can anyone after calling Mr Tom up close and personal, staring down the rattle to borrow from Mike Strand, go back to shooting at iffy ranges. When they're that close a load of high brass hard sixes does very well. I'm not trying to pontificate here but our sport, calling in birds, is part of what makes it special. Also even though I work and have limited time in the field I get as much enjoyment when a bird doesn't get roasted, most of the time I remember those hunts more than when I connect. Have a great Spring out there and may you hear the RATTLE ! :OGturkeyhead:
I do not normally drive over 70 mph, but it is nice to have a vehicle capable of doing so...
The vast majority of my birds have been under 30 yards... However, for someone that is a wing-shooter, generally looking at much smaller targets, those turkeys look big, and I have misjudged birds. :help:... Still killed em' but a few years back, I thumped one at just over 40 that I was certain was well under 40...
I have also finished off birds others have hit, but not killed, and with a couple young kids in tow, I believe this will be an issue for me in the future as well. Nice to have a load capable of killing birds at further ranges, and Hevi-shot and Heavyweight type of loads certainly make for better and more consistent patterns.
I do have to say, that I feel a little twinge of unpleasantness when I see these turkey hunting shows, and guys shooting scoped shotguns, super tight chokes, and bragging about shots over 55 yards... Also a bit unsettling to share the woods with someone using these loads, as I would not want to be accidently (or purposefully for that matter) shot by such a load...
Well said
Quote from: Bill Cooksey on March 22, 2015, 01:25:54 PM
I don't disagree, but I do try to have the best pattern possible in my 20. It's very rare I take a shot over thirty yards, and 40 is my absolute limit. However, I like having a few extra yards of leeway. With the current combo I misjudged one field bird that turned out to be 43 yards and also killed a bird at 54 that was running off crippled after the guy with me failed to center him. Wanting the best pattern possible doesn't always equal wanting to take long shots. I've killed more birds under twenty than over thirty.
What is your 20 gauge setup for turkeys, Bill??? :OGturkeyhead:
Youth 870 20 gauge, Remington X-full and Federal #7 HW. Originally shot some of the old Hevi 7.5 waterfowl loads through the same gun and choke and was happy, but those were discontinued.