What has been your experience with Winchester Long Beard Shells?

[deadbuck]

I am more interested in penetration than 10 inch numbers with these shells. Will you address that in your evaluation?

[allaboutshooting]

I am more interested in penetration than 10 inch numbers with these shells. Will you address that in your evaluation?

I understand. Penetration is indeed an important factor of any turkey load. In this study, it will strictly be patterns and the density of the patterns with chokes designed specifically for WLB shells and other chokes that are not specifically designed for them.

This of course a good bit of data on specific shot size penetration out there. In a subsequent article, I can address that subject.

A few years ago, I did a pretty comprehensive study about shot penetration using microcrystalline wax as a medium. It's a very stable medium and simulates fleshy tissue quite well.

Thanks,
Clark

[3" 870 Shell Shucker]

Regarding the Penetration question: I remember reading that the pellets were on the large side, so they should be big and heavy, with good penetration for #6 Lead shot.

[owlhoot]

I shot 4,5 and 6 shot on huge pieces of paper after reading the big shot and small shot for size bought, and also for the resin weight confusion.

All my loads pellet counts were real close with the pellet count per ounce charts. So i was pleased.

Great or average patterns depending on choke.

I have not cut any apart though. Make sure to get the resin off before measuring, FyI

As far as penetration FHW 7's are the cats meow!  Factory loads

But the 4's in lead always whacked em too.

[Mike Honcho]

Clark:  I used 3.5" Longbeards this year and they will be my go to turkey load in future.

I will check tonight at home but from memory 40yds, 3.5" 6's gave me around 258 in 10" with Stoeger 3500 , 650 Jellyhead and about 210 in  40 with a 935 Mossberg , Stardot.   Laser ranged.

I expected the Mossy Stardot combo to be better but the Stoeger really liked the Longbeards.

Dave

[allaboutshooting]

I appreciate the information.

Thanks,
Clark

[Britton40]

My benelli sbe 1 did not like them. I like 5s in lead. I ran them through a kicks 660, a kicks .655 and a rhino .660.  I like the HTL loads. Great experiences with nitros and magblends, both 3" and 3.5".  For lead, I like the turkey thug shells with the kicks .660

Mine didn't like the 5s either until I tried a PG 670.

650 sumtoy and #6s is rifle like.

[ohiomossyoak]

Im still kind of new but with a 835/24inch deep cleaned ported barrel with  a Truglo gobble stopper extreme choke and #6 long beards. I got in the mid 250s hit  wise  inside a 10inch circle  at a 30yards(laser range finder).I was happy with that but inside 20 it was super  tight on paper.I am using williams firesights and feel at close range some sort of optic may be better.Not sure if im going to try other loads or go the optic route. .