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Turkey Guns & Shooting => 20 Gauge Turkey Guns => Topic started by: turkeykiller41 on March 31, 2016, 03:04:56 PM

Title: 20 gauge Longbeards
Post by: turkeykiller41 on March 31, 2016, 03:04:56 PM
Talked with a guy in marketing at Winchester today he said there are no plans to make 20 gauge Longbeards,that really sucks I think we should aggravate them to death.
Title: Re: 20 gauge Longbeards
Post by: dawei on March 31, 2016, 03:37:52 PM
That really sucks!!!!!

Title: 20 gauge Longbeards
Post by: Dr Juice on March 31, 2016, 04:23:12 PM
There goes my plans to add a 20-g to my arsenal.
Title: Re: 20 gauge Longbeards
Post by: Greg Massey on March 31, 2016, 08:57:58 PM
Well i can tell you this a 20 ga. with a 3 in. 6 shot heavy load shell at 30 yards is still bad to the bone..and that's just regular lead shell ..with the right choke...it will hold as good of a pattern as any 12 ga. just about..
Title: Re: 20 gauge Longbeards
Post by: Tom Foolery on April 01, 2016, 07:29:08 AM
Quote from: turkeykiller41 on March 31, 2016, 03:04:56 PM
Talked with a guy in marketing at Winchester today he said there are no plans to make 20 gauge Longbeards

Same thing I've been told twice by Winchester.


As long as Federal keeps making #7 Heavyweights I'm good to go.
Title: Re: 20 gauge Longbeards
Post by: Gtown78 on April 03, 2016, 07:50:33 AM
When I talked to them they didn't come right out and say they weren't going to make them. They told me to shoot the other Winchester shells. I would love to see the Longbeards in 20ga also.
Title: Re: 20 gauge Longbeards
Post by: chatterbox on April 03, 2016, 08:28:25 AM
Quote from: Tom Foolery on April 01, 2016, 07:29:08 AM
Quote from: turkeykiller41 on March 31, 2016, 03:04:56 PM
Talked with a guy in marketing at Winchester today he said there are no plans to make 20 gauge Longbeards

Same thing I've been told twice by Winchester.


As long as Federal keeps making #7 Heavyweights I'm good to go.
I am in full agreement with Tom. There's not a factory shell that comes close.
I'm buying Fed Heviweight as long as it's in production. If they stop, I would go to Hevi-13 #7's.
I get a chance at one bird a year. Gonna shoot the best shell I can.
Title: Re: 20 gauge Longbeards
Post by: FL-Boss on April 03, 2016, 09:08:33 AM
+1...   I totally agree... 90% of hunters may only shoot a few times each season at birds if we are lucky. Fed #7 and HEVI #7 are clearly the best factory 20ga loads made.   I never understood the "high cost" argument about HW loads. Ok.. so you spend an extra $10 per season on shells. Doesn't seem like much considering they are the most important part of your gear. 

I wouldn't shoot lead at turkeys if it was given to me for free..
Title: Re: 20 gauge Longbeards
Post by: magnus on April 03, 2016, 09:39:21 AM
Anyplace online best for having those #7 ammos?  I haven't been able to find....
Title: Re: 20 gauge Longbeards
Post by: dg7mm08 on April 03, 2016, 09:48:51 AM
The best price I've seen online for Federal HWT #7 $19.50 plus s&h. http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/56568/Federal+Mag+Shok+Heavyweight+20+Ga.+3%22+%237+Tungsten+Turkey+Sh
Title: Re: 20 gauge Longbeards
Post by: Tom Foolery on April 03, 2016, 05:03:53 PM

The HW 7 is the best factory 20 gauge load I've seen.

I buy 2 boxes of shells (10 rounds) a year and send in the rebates.  I'm into them for $40 or so, I spend more than that on pop tarts in a year.  I just put the new ammo into a box in the gun safe and use the older stuff as I go. 

Midwayusa has it as well as Grafs
Title: Re: 20 gauge Longbeards
Post by: tree-rat sniper on April 10, 2016, 12:11:31 PM
Winchester is really missing the boat on this one.  With more & more folks switching to 20s for turkeys (and other game) now is the time to go after the market share.  Most of the box stores that I frequent usually run out of 20s before the season opens.  While they order in 10x as much 12 ga & then clearance it out (sometimes below cost) after the spring season is over.  ???
Title: Re: 20 gauge Longbeards
Post by: Tombo on April 10, 2016, 04:48:05 PM
Quote from: FL-Boss on April 03, 2016, 09:08:33 AM
+1...   I totally agree... 90% of hunters may only shoot a few times each season at birds if we are lucky. Fed #7 and HEVI #7 are clearly the best factory 20ga loads made.   I never understood the "high cost" argument about HW loads. Ok.. so you spend an extra $10 per season on shells. Doesn't seem like much considering they are the most important part of your gear. 

I wouldn't shoot lead at turkeys if it was given to me for free..
This! :thanks:
Title: Re: 20 gauge Longbeards
Post by: Gtown78 on April 10, 2016, 07:33:08 PM
I sure would love to see them!
Title: Re: 20 gauge Longbeards
Post by: The Woodsman on April 11, 2016, 05:06:33 PM
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh98/Caninester/beating-a-dead-horse.gif) (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/Caninester/media/beating-a-dead-horse.gif.html)
Title: Re: 20 gauge Longbeards
Post by: R AJ on April 12, 2016, 08:32:06 AM
Quote from: The Woodsman on April 11, 2016, 05:06:33 PM
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh98/Caninester/beating-a-dead-horse.gif) (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/Caninester/media/beating-a-dead-horse.gif.html)

I agree with this guy. It would tickle me to no end to see Federal use the long beard X R technology .
I would like to know if Winchester has a Rooster XR for 20 gauge in 3".
Title: Re: 20 gauge Longbeards
Post by: stringtalker on April 12, 2016, 09:21:00 PM
It absolutely blows my mind how turkey hunters talk so bad about lead shot these days. Dead is dead, #4 or #5 lead shot will kill a turkey just as dead as any htl load. Lead use to be all we had to choose from and to hear people talk now seems like there was never no such thing as lead. Yes htl loads hold a better pattern and hit harder but if I can get #4 or #5 lead to pattern good that is what I will use. I shoot a 20 gauge and my gun don't shoot lead very well, at least I haven't found any combo that will, so I shoot federal heavyweight #7's. If I find a lead and choke combo that patterns well out to 40 yards, you bet I will switch to lead ammo in a heartbeat. But that's why they make different ammo, different strokes for different folks, shoot whatever makes you happy and yes I hope they make longbeards in 20 gauge, the sooner the better, God bless!!!
Title: Re: 20 gauge Longbeards
Post by: Tombo on April 13, 2016, 08:15:06 AM
Ok, if they made them have you considered that with the resin, you would probably only be able to load 1 1/8 - 1 3/16 oz of shot. At fairly low velocity. What kind of penetration are you expecting? I will stick with TSS, or heavy weight 7s. These have turned 20ga into bonified Turkey killers! Ask yourself this, who talked 20ga turkey guns before HTL? Nobody. Longbeards in a 20ga with it's limited hull capacity would be a joke
Title: Re: 20 gauge Longbeards
Post by: longislandloco on April 13, 2016, 08:26:42 AM
Makes you wonder how we ever hunted with lead shot, fixed chokes, blued steel and walnut and no camo, LOL.
Title: Re: 20 gauge Longbeards
Post by: davisd9 on April 13, 2016, 08:38:54 AM
The 20 ga Federal HW 7 is the best market shell out there.  Anyone seriously wanting to hunt the 20 without reloading should focus on this shell.  If Federal would create this shell without the FCW then they would leave every other company in the dust.
Title: Re: 20 gauge Longbeards
Post by: Tombo on April 13, 2016, 08:46:45 AM
Quote from: davisd9 on April 13, 2016, 08:38:54 AM
The 20 ga Federal HW 7 is the best market shell out there.  Anyone seriously wanting to hunt the 20 without reloading should focus on this shell.  If Federal would create this shell without the FCW then they would leave every other company in the dust.
They were also killed with flint arrowheads but that dont make them a good choice. Guys are doing with 20ga, 28ga, and even 410s, what a 3" 12ga couldn't do a few years ago.  Federal heavyweight owns the factory Turkey load. To better it you'd have to reload. I do
Title: Re: 20 gauge Longbeards
Post by: R AJ on April 13, 2016, 09:13:12 AM
Quote from: Tombo on April 13, 2016, 08:15:06 AM
Ok, if they made them have you considered that with the resin, you would probably only be able to load 1 1/8 - 1 3/16 oz of shot. At fairly low velocity. What kind of penetration are you expecting? I will stick with TSS, or heavy weight 7s. These have turned 20ga into bonified Turkey killers! Ask yourself this, who talked 20ga turkey guns before HTL? Nobody. Longbeards in a 20ga with it's limited hull capacity would be a joke

1 1/8 oz. - 13/16 oz. is plenty to kill a turkey , even 1 oz. if the pattern holds. 12 gauge shells are 1200 fps velocity and that is way higher than the original old white shell HTL at 1050 fps.  WE kept 20 gauge a secret as it has been used a long time in the south I know. A 2 3/4 or 3 inch shell in 20 gauge lead has been plenty for birds here. I agree that 20 gauges were not as accepted or used as much then. It was a while before 20s came out in a 3 inch gun and that is when the 16 gauge nearly vanished.
If they were to make Longbeards with its limited hull capacity there would be lots of people buying that joke I tell you. Just adding that I have used 12 ga 3 1/2 and 3 and used 20 gauge TSS 8x9 made by Hawg Lips so I have been there , done that, and still choose the 20. My favorite 20 gauge shell is the Federal HW #7 .
Title: Re: 20 gauge Longbeards
Post by: Tombo on April 13, 2016, 09:31:42 AM
1/2oz is enough in perfect circumstances. But circumstances ain't always perfect. Too many guys rely on the lucky pellet to save the day. A lot of guys will buy the joke if it's ever produced.  Not me..
Title: Re: 20 gauge Longbeards
Post by: R AJ on April 13, 2016, 01:13:33 PM
Quote from: Tombo on April 13, 2016, 09:31:42 AM
1/2oz is enough in perfect circumstances. But circumstances ain't always perfect. Too many guys rely on the lucky pellet to save the day. A lot of guys will buy the joke if it's ever produced.  Not me..

Hey buddy you don't have to buy the shell, we get that but poo pooing on the subject because you obviously think you need 1 1/2 oz of shot minimum for perfect circumstances tells me all I need to know about you.

Have a nice day  :deadhorse: