what are the best lead 20 gauge loads?
I have always had excellent luck with Winchester Supreme High Velocity #5's. I use it in my 20gauge 870 express; 26" barrel. This gun wears a hastings non ported choke tube and throws good killing patterns out to 35-40yards. I have only killed one bird with this gun but it's my go to gun when I'm taking new hunters out into the woods with me. My mom killed a fantastic gobbler on mothers day several years ago. It was her first time hunting anything and at 30 yards the bird dropped without a flop. 25 pounds, 1.5 spurs and a 9.75 inch beard. One of my all time best hunts even though I wasn't behind the gun.
Quote from: Fastcat on April 27, 2011, 03:36:34 PM
I have always had excellent luck with Winchester Supreme High Velocity #5's. I use it in my 20gauge 870 express; 26" barrel. This gun wears a hastings non ported choke tube and throws good killing patterns out to 35-40yards. I have only killed one bird with this gun but it's my go to gun when I'm taking new hunters out into the woods with me. My mom killed a fantastic gobbler on mothers day several years ago. It was her first time hunting anything and at 30 yards the bird dropped without a flop. 25 pounds, 1.5 spurs and a 9.75 inch beard. One of my all time best hunts even though I wasn't behind the gun.
What diameter choke is that?
I would say that my best shells are in general Winchester and Federal and #5 or #6 shot . There are few who have very excellent patterns using #4 lead shot but I am not one of them.
Fiochhi, Kent, Estate patterns have not been desireable for me beyond 30 yards.
Using lead in a 20 gauge has been limited to 30-35 yards . I may have some info later to extend that somewhat . 20s are much more finicky than 12s about shot size, chokes constriction, velocity and patterning.
Quote from: Luke95 on April 27, 2011, 03:11:21 PM
what are the best lead 20 gauge loads?
Conventional wisdom states using smaller shot in a 20ga so as to increase pattern density due to lighter payloads. It thus makes the most sense to begin your patterning tests with #6. After that try some loads in #5. I have one 20ga gun however that prefers #4 shot. While I have less shot in the pattern than I would with #5/6 shot; the #4's for some reason produce the most even distribution of pellets. I must admit however, this is true in only one of my three 20ga guns. My other 20ga gun(s) produce the most useful pattern with #5. For Pb shooters, of any gauge, I believe that #5 is the best all around size to use; but that is just me. Having said all this it's all about what patterns the best in your individual gun & choke. For me these Pb loads are proven performers in my gun(s)....................
• Federal® Flitecontrol® Mag-Shok® 3" Mag 1185fps 1 5/16oz #5 ( PFC258F 5)
• Remington® Nitro-Turkey® 3" 1185fps 1¼oz #5 (NT20M5)
• Winchester® Supreme® High Velocity 3" Mag 1200fps 1 5/16oz #4 (STH2034)
My Hastings 20 gauge choke is a .566 lead shot only. I don't know if they are made anymore?
I love the Federal FC 1-5/15oz #5's when I shoot Pb in my 20ga's
Quote from: surehuntsalot on April 27, 2011, 08:45:21 PMI love the Federal FC 1-5/15oz #5's when I shoot Pb in my 20ga's
Typo? 1 5/16oz right?
IDK if the fc will pattern well through my sumtoy
Ive had good results using the remington premier 3" 1 1/4oz #6 loads using a jellyhead choke.I have some winchester supreme 5's that pattern decent also.would like to experiment with some different chokes this summer and see what i can get.
Quote from: dawei on April 27, 2011, 08:50:11 PM
Quote from: surehuntsalot on April 27, 2011, 08:45:21 PMI love the Federal FC 1-5/15oz #5's when I shoot Pb in my 20ga's
Typo? 1 5/16oz right?
yep a typo
I guess I can't see or spell to well tonight
Quote from: Luke95 on April 27, 2011, 08:57:54 PM
IDK if the fc will pattern well through my sumtoy
The Fed Hvy FCW will.
I have only tested two loads in my standard full choked 20, the Federal 3" Mag-Shok #5's (pre flight-control wad) and the Remington 3" NitroMag #4's. The Remington's put the same amount of pellets on target (sometimes more) than the Federals at 30 yards, even though the Federals contained approximately 50 more pellets.
Quote from: IowaNate on April 28, 2011, 04:30:07 PM
I have only tested two loads in my standard full choked 20, the Federal 3" Mag-Shok #5's (pre flight-control wad) and the Remington 3" NitroMag #4's. The Remington's put the same amount of pellets on target (sometimes more) than the Federals at 30 yards, even though the Federals contained approximately 50 more pellets.
I'm telling you for a few select 20ga guns #4Pb is the bomb! I know this for a fact as I have one of those guns. I smacked the living daylights out of a Merriams Gobbler at 42yds earlier this month. Those large #4Pb pellets really do the job AFAIAC.
Quote from: Fastcat on April 27, 2011, 08:08:59 PM
My Hastings 20 gauge choke is a .566 lead shot only. I don't know if they are made anymore?
Hastings® went bankrupt in 2009. I have one diameter .570". There are a lot of Hastings® chokes however out there with various distributors/retailers. Just search w/Google®.
Thats good to know. As far as a reasonably priced choke for a 20gauge I think they are excellent if anyone runs across one. I'm happy with mine!
Quote from: Fastcat on April 29, 2011, 10:12:18 PM
Thats good to know. As far as a reasonably priced choke for a 20gauge I think they are excellent if anyone runs across one. I'm happy with mine!
Me too!
Correction! I patterned my 20 yesterday and I'm using Winchester XX not HV's. I was confused because they say SUPREME on the shell and Double X on the box. They are 1 and a quarter oz and they pattern very well!
Quote from: Fastcat on May 08, 2011, 04:58:55 PM
Correction! I patterned my 20 yesterday and I'm using Winchester XX not HV's. I was confused because they say SUPREME on the shell and Double X on the box. They are 1 and a quarter oz and they pattern very well!
What shot size, #4 or #5?
Double X Supreme #5s. Wal-mart has them for under 8 bucks!
Quote from: Fastcat on May 09, 2011, 09:29:00 PM
Double X Supreme #5s. Wal-mart has them for under 8 bucks!
That is one load I have not patterned; I will have to try some!
Shooting winchester xx magnums in my sumtoy .562 wad controlling choke. :z-guntootsmiley:
Bought some of the Winchester Supreme XX #5's (X203XCT5) from Mal-Wart myself. At less than $0.80 per shell, I couldn't resist buying a box. Can't wait to pattern them!
It all depends on your pattern and comfort further out. I have killed a couple at 50 with my 20 and Remington 5's, but no more. I will not shoot past 35 anymore because under field conditions I cannot judge to the .001 yard how far he actually is and as pumped and out of breath as I get about a gobbler, I can't keep it all together everytime past 35 with the 20.
Daman
Quote from: slickyboyboo on June 20, 2011, 02:44:13 PMHastings chokes are still being made and are avaliable by the original manufacturer. They have a website, but if you don't see what you are looking for on there, give them a call and they should be able to get you fixed up.
http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,4536.msg56459.html#msg56459
The original Hastings® 20ga Extended Non-Ported Turkey chokes were offered in the following five diameters......
• .578"
• .574"
• .570" (I have this choke [Invector®])
• .566"
• .562"
The current Hastings® 20ga Turkey chokes are only offered for Remington®, and in only one diameter; .562". Look here please............
• http://www.kebcollc.com/cart/store.php?crn=235&rn=633&action=show_detail
Switched to a hevi choke .573 in my beretta 390 and the patterns are killer inside 40 yds with Win XX 5's. Big difference from my Pure Gold .570
Quote from: dawei on June 20, 2011, 03:36:57 PM
Quote from: slickyboyboo on June 20, 2011, 02:44:13 PMHastings chokes are still being made and are avaliable by the original manufacturer. They have a website, but if you don't see what you are looking for on there, give them a call and they should be able to get you fixed up.
http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,4536.msg56459.html#msg56459
The original Hastings® 20ga Extended Non-Ported Turkey chokes were offered in the following five diameters......
• .578"
• .574"
• .570" (I have this choke [Invector®])
• .566"
• .562"
The current Hastings® 20ga Turkey chokes are only offered for Remington®, and in only one diameter; .562". Look here please............
• http://www.kebcollc.com/cart/store.php?crn=235&rn=633&action=show_detail
I just picked up a .570 Hastings choke for my Rem.870 youth a couple of weeks ago