Longbeards 6's, 5's, or 4's?

[Nate K]

I have just gotten into the the whole patterning process in the last couple of years and had settled on a jellyhead .660 and hevi 6's for my benelli m2. This year I picked up an Indian Creek BDS .665 and ran a few of the longbeard #5's through my gun and was very impressed. My setup put up better numbers with the WLB #5's than the Hevi-6's. I am thinking about trying the WLB #6's just to see what they will do but I'm not sure about hunting with them.
So here's my question: I realize if I hit a turkey in the head with 40+ #6 pellets at 45 yards he will be stone cold dead but if I pulled the shot and only got him with a few pellets could I see a difference in the 6's and 5's?

I'm not trying to awake the HTL vs lead debate just trying to work through all the deciding factors to what I want to shoot this year. Thanks in advance for any advice!

[Philippe]

There will certainly be a difference in downrange energy between the two but both at that range will still kill. If you have to question your ability to keep a steady bead I would suggest getting to know your shotgun better before wounding a bird. Personally I shoot the LB 5's with confidence, they give me both great pattern density and hold plenty of downrange energy.

[Nate K]

It's less of me doubting my ability to hold a bead and more an understanding that Murphy's law reigns in the turkey woods. I have always liked #5's for a lead load myself. Seem like a good compromise.

[Farmboy27]

Use whatever patterns good in your gun and gives you confidence. Lots of great advice and knowledge on this site but in the end you should use what works well in your gun and what makes you feel comfortable. No one can tell you that, you have to decide yourself. Best of luck this season!

[Buckeye_Strutter_935]

honestly with WLB's 5 or 6 shot........either one will flat knock out a turkey i wouldnt worry on either one i would say for what they cost get a box of 6's and try em.....the difference between the two wont be to much IMHO

[kcrebel]

I have only shot 5's and 6's.  In every gun to date the 6's patterned much more densely and obviously had more pellets in the kill zone.  The 5's weren't bad but the pattern was not as dense and had gaps in it unacceptable to me. 
Hope this helps.  Like others stated above I would shoot both and let the targets decide it for you.   

[maytom]

Now that I switched back to lead, it was between #5's and #4's. I realize that #5's have more shot and would pattern tighter, but if I can get #4's to pattern great, would rather go with the more Kinetic energy levels with the #4's instead.

[haystaddle]

My TC Encore with Pure Gold .670 patterns the 6's better, I too get some weird gaps in the 5's. Just my setup, but it is 6's for me.

[PineyRooster]

go with the 4s they pattern the best ive ever seen and absolutely hammer... in my sbe2 with rr 655 im putting up almost 150