I grew up shooting #4's but switched to #5's with the 3.5" longbeards since they came out. After reading in her so many people used 6's I'm considering #6's but am wondering if I'm getting caught up in the numbers game rather than practical hunting. Can anybody tell me why I shouldn't go to 6's? Opinions?
You should shoot whatever your particular gun / choke prefer based on your own pattern tests. I shoot Hevi #7, some shoot TSS #9, some shoot lead #4.
There's no right or wrong answer, no better or worse, just pick what your gun and your choke patterns best. :icon_thumright:
paboxcall answered it pretty well but id like to add if you pattern the #6s and they give a solid pattern use them.id say 40yds and under hes a dead bird i use the #4 lbxrs and not because i want to completely obliterate a toms head they just shoot well in my gun. i would also say if your gun has a good pattern with the #5s use em it comes down to your gun and what load choke it prefers.
This is my best #5 pattern at 35-40 paced yards. It's not very even.
#4
It seems that 6's would be better yet but I want to make sure they'll kill. 835 with IC choke 3.5" LB shells.
Quote from: johnplesh on January 12, 2016, 09:37:45 AM
It seems that 6's would be better yet but I want to make sure they'll kill. 835 with IC choke 3.5" LB shells.
if your gun has a solid pattern with the #6s they will kill 40 yds and in im not going to go into shooting past 40yds imo it shouldnt be attempted.i know guys kill past 40yds but as i have said many times i feel there are to many variables all im saying is if the gun shoots a good pattern with them and you like them use them.
I used #4 lead years ago myself and slowly gravitated to the 5s, 6s, and even 7s with hevi shot to get better pattern density.
Since these Longbeards came out, I've reverted and went back to a larger shot size. I have 4s and 5s now, but I think I'll only be purchasing 4s in the future. They both shoot a very dense even pattern out to 40 yards in my short barreled 870 and cheapo Truglo Gobblerstopper choke.
I couldn't ask it to shoot any better. Not too tight, not too loose, and very even.......and I couldn't give a horse's rear end about the numbers game.
Here is the long beard #6. Gave me 228 at 40 measured yards. I was only able to get 170 #5's today in the 10". I was surprised how much lower they shot on the target than the 5's. Took me a while to sight it in. From this pattern the POI was about 2"high and 3/4 right because I over adjusted the MOA in my red dot. So now it's 170#5 vs 228 #6?
And this is 3.5"?
Quote from: johnplesh on January 16, 2016, 04:58:47 PM
Here is the long beard #6. Gave me 228 at 40 measured yards. I was only able to get 170 #5's today in the 10". I was surprised how much lower they shot on the target than the 5's. Took me a while to sight it in. From this pattern the POI was about 2"high and 3/4 right because I over adjusted the MOA in my red dot. So now it's 170#5 vs 228 #6?
Pattern counts in the 10" can go up and down and impact points can move slightly shot to shot.
A few points to consider are.
Temperature differences when you shot.
Barrel condition, clean or dirty from ones test pattern to another.
Lot numbers or box to box variables .
So where did the 194 to 170 count go ? You might see if it is in the 11" circle area or so.
Good luck.
Here is the 3" LB #6 out of the same gun and choke at 11 degrees colder and windy there were 211 in the 10" at 40 measures yards. Thoughts?
Side by side. left is the 3.5" LB #6 and right is the 3" LB #6.
Just pick the one with the most even pattern and hunt. I've got a 3" gun that broke 200 with with a 3" LB #5. Heck of a dense pattern inside the 10, but not much to work with in the 20". When a bird gets inside 25 yards with that combo I get nervous because it don't take much to miss if I flinch just a little. You don't need anywhere close to 170 pellets in a 10" circle to kill a turkey. I've killed many with guns years ago that were lucky to put up 115 with 5's. Turkeys never knew the difference. I've killed a few with the LB 6's and promise you they will work out to 40 yards with no problem. Just pick the one with the most consistent even pattern and get after them.
My Winchester Super X2 with the Longbeard XR choke will not shoot the 3.5 #5's accurately. I think it is just too tight for whatever reason. The POI is very inconsistent at 20 yards or less. The same shell in #6's shoots well. Anyone else experience this?
You can't go wrong with the 6's
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I have killed a pile of birds with #6. Buy a box and go hunting.
This is LB #6 from a deep cleaned barrel. After getting the barrel a little dirty the gaps fill in.
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e328/reflex264/835%20pattern%2040_zps4l0z97lg.jpg) (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/reflex264/media/835%20pattern%2040_zps4l0z97lg.jpg.html)
My question is have you tried any choke tubes beside a IC?
I have shot the LB, and Fed. 2 oz. with a turkey choke, and the LB out did the 2 oz. with a .650 choke.
The IC is a open choke, and trying a tighter choke will be helpful.
And one other thing, like I say just cause your gun shoots the 3 1/2" shells, doesn't mean it likes them.