I'm shooting a Benelli SBE2, 24" barrel and a Kicks GT .660. For years I've shot 3.5 Federal Premiums. I stocked up on these a long time ago. I'm now pretty low and just mounted a scope so some shooting is in order.
Until I got on this forum, I had never heard of Longbeards. Just no need to look at shells, I had a stockpile and I was satisfied. Now that it's looking like I am gonna have to get more shells, what she'll do you shooters think will perform well in this setup. I'm not concerned about numbers so much just a good shell to kill out to 40 and maybe an extra yard or two should I misjudge the distance. It also has to kill close and not be too tight as I shoot way more at 30 yards. Thanks.
3.5" LB #5 or #6.
The 6's were much more even with no large gaps from my 870. I gave the 5's to a friend and his 870 throws a great pattern with them with no gaps.
So LBs are compatible with a Kicks choke?
If you are wanting to stick with lead then Longbeard 5s, but they will be tight up close.
If you want to try HTL then I would do Hevi 6s or Mag Blends 5,6,7.
As already mentioned, the LongBeards are super tight by design so anything close is going to be crazy tight. Magblends give a good pattern up close and at 40 yards as well.
If you're staying with lead, you should be fine with the longbeards using a scope...
How tight at 30 and less?
Quote from: Rzrbac on April 05, 2017, 03:26:43 PM
How tight at 30 and less?
Too tight for my liking. I use Hevi13 6s. I just couldn't get past the softball size or smaller patterns in close
Quote from: Rzrbac on April 05, 2017, 01:47:31 PM
So LBs are compatible with a Kicks choke?
I shoot H13 #6's and #7's through my Kicks choke.
I've shot the longbeards and they do a great job, but when it comes to killin' give me some HTL.
Rzrbac, Something that you may not have thought of since you are mounting a scope. Don't use your Feds to zero your scope. Use some dove loads at 12 1/2 yards until your POA matches your POI. Then shoot 1 Fed at 40 to verify. I can't help much with your LB question since I am shooting Hevi-13 7's thru a .670 Pure Gold choke in a 835.
If all your looking for is a 40 +/- yard gun, just about any factory turkey load will get you there. Of the lead shells I like Winchesters XX 2.25 oz load of 5's or 6's. They are adequate at 40, plus open up close.
http://www.winchester.com/products/shotshell-ammunition/Advanced/Double-X/Pages/XXT12L5.aspx
If your going to move up to HTL, I like the Hevi 7's in the 2.25oz load.
Appreciate all the advice. I'll be in a store tomorrow that carries a bunch of shells so I'm gonna pick up some to try.
Softball size at 30 is pretty dang small.
It's been a long time since I patterned my gun but I don't recall any patterns that were that small. Seems like there are a lot of options. Those LBs may be a little tight for my liking.
Can you shoot Hevi 13 through a Kicks?
Quote from: Rzrbac on April 05, 2017, 04:56:02 PM
Appreciate all the advice. I'll be in a store tomorrow that carries a bunch of shells so I'm gonna pick up some to try.
Softball size at 30 is pretty dang small.
It's been a long time since I patterned my gun but I don't recall any patterns that were that small. Seems like there are a lot of options. Those LBs may be a little tight for my liking.
If you are putting a scope on your gun, then don't sweat the tight patterns. With today's tight chokes and tight loads think of your shotgun with a scope or red dot as you would shooting a rifle. We aren't shooting our Grandfather's 30 inch full choke 2 3/4" guns anymore. Aim the shotgun, don't just point and spray.
Quote from: Rzrbac on April 05, 2017, 04:57:28 PM
Can you shoot Hevi 13 through a Kicks?
Kicks says no to hevi 13, but yes to the Winchester X range. Go figure. I would and not worry about.
Quote from: Rzrbac on April 05, 2017, 04:57:28 PM
Can you shoot Hevi 13 through a Kicks?
I've ran over 100 rounds through mine.
They're built like a tank.
Be honest with yourself. If you really don't plan on shooting past 40 yds, and you do most of your killing at 30 yds, LBs would be about my last choice. They are tight at 40, and really tight at 30. I would rather have a plain old lead load of 6s (eg Winch XX) that will put 125/10 at 40 with a nice, forgiving pattern at 30.
Quote from: BandedSpur on April 06, 2017, 08:16:58 AM
Be honest with yourself. If you really don't plan on shooting past 40 yds, and you do most of your killing at 30 yds, LBs would be about my last choice. They are tight at 40, and really tight at 30. I would rather have a plain old lead load of 6s (eg Winch XX) that will put 125/10 at 40 with a nice, forgiving pattern at 30.
X2
Quote from: BandedSpur on April 06, 2017, 08:16:58 AM
Be honest with yourself. If you really don't plan on shooting past 40 yds, and you do most of your killing at 30 yds, LBs would be about my last choice. They are tight at 40, and really tight at 30. I would rather have a plain old lead load of 6s (eg Winch XX) that will put 125/10 at 40 with a nice, forgiving pattern at 30.
Yup, that would be my suggestion. My 870/ Kicks .655 will turn 140's at 40yds. Inside 40yds it's a killer.
No need to look for the magic foo foo dust..it just kills turkeys. Guiding this was what I had my clients use. Signal when turkey is inside 40yds and the majority go home with the turkey. I always try to error on the side of the turkey being too close rather than too far. Good luck.
I was able to open up the pattern on my longbeards considerably by shooting a Wrights #1 Choke (.680) and using 6 shot instead of 5. Shoots a decent pattern at 15 yards and still pretty amazing at 40.
Quote from: dirt road ninja on April 05, 2017, 05:56:32 PM
Quote from: Rzrbac on April 05, 2017, 04:57:28 PM
Can you shoot Hevi 13 through a Kicks?
Kicks says no to hevi 13, but yes to the Winchester X range. Go figure. I would and not worry about.
It's fine with either..