Longbeard XR 3in #5, go with 1 3/4 or 1 7/8 OZ shot?

[clfergus]

Cabela's online shows both 3 inch shell in #5 shot with 1 3/4 OZ vs 1 7/8.

Shooting from a 870 with .660 Jellyhead, why would I go with the smaller amount of pellets in the 1 3/4 oz? Seems like you would always pick the one with greater amount of shot down range....right?

[Tennessee Lead]

I've shot both the XR and Magnum XR. Personally I prefer the 1 3/4 because of more velocity.
Seems like I only picked up 15-20 more shot in the 10" if I remember correctly.


Sent from the barrel of a model 70 at 3300 fps

[decoykrvr]

Don't pick a turkey hunting load simply by either payload or velocity, but by evaluating the patterns in the various gun/choke combinations at your disposal.  I've experienced slower heavier payload shells which patterned better than faster reduced payloads, and at times just the opposite.  Although you can make "best guess" assumptions about shell/gun/choke performance, you've got to pattern w/ a minimum of variables to find out what a given turkey shell will do out of a specific firearm/choke.

[allaboutshooting]

Cabela's online shows both 3 inch shell in #5 shot with 1 3/4 OZ vs 1 7/8.

Shooting from a 870 with .660 Jellyhead, why would I go with the smaller amount of pellets in the 1 3/4 oz? Seems like you would always pick the one with greater amount of shot down range....right?

I've shot both loads pretty extensively, mostly in #6 shot but also in #5 shot, and the 1 7/8 oz loads are more consistent in their patterns in all the guns I've shot and through all the different chokes.

Thanks,
Clark

[dms2511]

Clark is clearly the authority, but I've had the same experience with the Longbeard XR's. Much more consistent patterns with the lower velocity shells and no noticible difference in performance in the field.

[maytom]

You get a little more shot in the heavier load. More shot = less holes in pattern. This with those new Longbeard shells, I would say no brainer there.

[Izzyjoe]

Kinda funny you ask, cause I've been wondering the same thing. I've yet to see the 1 7/8 on shelves around here, I may break down and get some on line to test.